'Perks of Being a Wallflower' - Film, Music Review

Emma Watson in the memorable scene of the film

A coming-of-age story of a lonely introvert boy who amidst hostile high school atmosphere is initiated into a group of friends, absorbs into the ebbs and flows of friendship, discovers love, experiences intricacies of social life.

Set in 90s, based on the novel of same name, this nostalgic trip leaves us glad for the rest of the day.

Watch out for Emma Watson who we used to know as nerdy good girl, Hermione of Harry Potter films astonishes us with her audacious acts in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Be warned, below is a NSFW scene in the film. Yet, enjoyable.

Music plays a substantial role. Days after watching the film, my mind was humming three of the songs. Now that I have downloaded, it will be played for months to come.  :)

"Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac is dew on the flower.
Knowing that the performers are former lovers I got dearer to the song.

"Asleep" by The Smiths (hero's favourite song) is a lullaby sung you to sleep peacefully.

"It's Time" by Imagine Dragons is full of vigour and uplifting. It introduced me to the rising star band.

These aren't the only songs worth listening to, "Come on Eileen", "On Top of the World" and others make it a great soundtrack.

'Special 26' is Not So Special - Film Review

Many of you would have watched this film or may not have any interest to read a review before watching it. Yes, it's out-of-date film review. So what, as far as the review is interesting and worth the time you spend, you could give it a go. As I don't know Hindi, I waited for the release of subtitled version and watched 'Special Chabbis' pretty late.

The film starts with the bang - Akshay, Anupam Kher and two of their guys with the help of local police do a high profile CBI raid in a minister's house. Later, police and the minister friends that they were fooled and the minister was looted. The first few minutes gets our full attention, albeit we are aware of gist of the story that the duo are frauds.

Every heist the gang of four carry out is exciting. Not to mention their sudden fake raid to a traders' business in Kolkata is met with the real CBI already present there. The situation is fantastic when the real CBI stares at these fake CBI in long silence and the cons get nervous unknowing what to do next.

Meanwhile Sub Inspector of local police station (Jimmy Shergill) who unwittingly helped the cons in minister house heist was suspended and is ashamed. He knocks the doors of CBI for help to find and put those cons behind the bars. That's when well talented CBI officer played by Manoj Bajpai comes into the scene. With SI, he embarks on to hunt them down.

Devastated Akshay holding his question papers. Rain dribbles on him. You see thunders in the background and papers slip down from his hand. Oh my! Sooo touchy  :,(

While we are excited on how the story went on in realistic slick manner in the first half, the second half becomes Bollywood-ish. There are redundant and unnecessary scenes. For instance, SI going on the flashback mode for describing the events that led to Minister house heist which brought SI disgrace. Dear Director, may be CBI Officer needs those flashbacks but not the viewers!

The gang at last decides to retire with a final job of robbing a big jewellery store, unaware that CBI officer was tracking every step they take.

The plot which happens in 1987 is loosely based on 'Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri' jewellery store heist by a mysterious con man posing as RAW officer along with 28 other people. The case is still unsolved. For those curious minds, read about the real Indian super con.

The film deviates from the plot when conmen in the guise of CBI conduct interview to recruit 26 people for their final big heist. The interview scenes, reminding of goofy people in the auditions of nowadays' reality shows, are hilarious.

When the conmen are not in action, they would be in their hometown villages doing household works(!). I'm baffled. What did they do with the hell a lot of money (more than 50 heists as said by overacting Anupam Kher) that they still can't afford to live well!

Every morning after leaving his son in school van CBI director returns home and stares at his wife's busty chest and asks her to wear dupatta over. I don't understand why does the director wants to depict. This is shown more than once in the film. Or is it just a fill for the sexual  void created by the lack of "item numbers". Director only knows. Probably this is why the film got U/A certificate, otherwise there is no other objectionable material in it.

Most silliest of them all is the reason behind why Akshay became a 'super' con - he failed in CBI officer exam. Atleast if he had failed continuously or had to go tough way bribing people it might be justifiable. Better, his background should be avoided. It does no help in the plot. Viewers didn't ask for it.

Akhay kumar's romance with southern actress Kajal Agarwal is another unnecessary gap filling sub plot to run the film for two and half hours - the typical indian film running time.

Y U NO STOP FROWNING? 

The film which was realistic in the start takes a wrong theatrical turn in the middle and ends with another bang. The second half of the film is unconvincing. In the later half, even Anupam kher is overacting and Manoj Bajpayee comes around with frowned look rest of the film (except at the end where he laughs hysterically). But the film doesn't fail as an entertainer.

Overacting Anupam Kher.

Fast paced Cinematography and apt editing elevates film even whenever the story lags. Background score is overbearing at times. "Mujh Mein Tu" is a soft solo romantic song. There are three versions, including promotional one sung by Akshay (synths help him a lot), all of them are soothing. Other songs are forgettable though they are all situational melodies.

Having an interesting plot 'Special Chabbis' could have been as punchy as 'A wednesday', if the frills were avoided and if it didn't try to be a mass pleaser.