NY Times Review: Bollywood does vegas
On the whole, American audiences remain stubbornly immune to the charms of the Bollywood romance, a fact that “Kites” is determined to change. A carefully calibrated assault on resistant international markets, the movie harnesses English, Hindi and Hispanic talent to an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink plot, replaces dancing with explosions, and choreographers with stunt specialists. The result is a lovers-on-the-lam blast of pure pulp escapism, so devoted to diversion that you probably won’t even notice the corn.
Set in Las Vegas and Mexico and unfolding in three languages, the story follows two gold-digging immigrants engaged to siblings from a powerful Vegas family. J (Hrithik Roshan) is a dance instructor and husband-for-hire; Natasha (Barbara Mori) is a terrified Mexican illegal needing a luxurious place to fall. But J’s limpid hazel eyes and smoking body will not be denied, even if it means dodging a posse of hired killers and an avalanche of special effects.
Directed by Anurag Basu with a finger in every genre jar, “Kites” caroms from car chase to shootout, from rain dancing to bank robbing with unflagging energy. It’s all completely loony, but the stunts are impressive, the photography crisp and the leads so adorably besotted that audiences might as well check their cynicism at the door.
A shorter version of the film (retooled by Brett Ratner) will be released next Friday, but Mr. Roshan requires viewing uncut: writhing on the dance floor or just gazing into space, the man was made to drive women crazy, one movie at a time.
KITES
Opens on Friday in Manhattan.
Directed by Anurag Basu; written by Robin Bhatt, Akarsh Khurana and Mr. Basu, based on a story by Rakesh Roshan; produced by Mr. Roshan; released by Reliance Big Pictures. In English and Hindi, with English subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes. This film is not rated.
WITH: Hrithik Roshan (J), Barbara Mori (Natasha), Kabir Bedi (Bob), Kangana Ranaut (Gina) and Nicholas Brown (Tony).
-NewYork Times
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May 22nd, 2010 - 07:24
I went to see the movie and by the way I’m Latina! The movie was great!!! it ws very amazing! I was not even surprised that I wasn’t the only Latina there! it was an amazing feeling to see that Hrithik has fans all over the world!yay! My friends and I give this movie a 10/10!!!! we were a group of Four.
May 26th, 2010 - 09:11
Hi: The Indian Media has highly criticised “Kites” and have almost written it off.But they fail to realize that it is the verdict of the public that counts. The public has accepted it and that is what counts. The Roshans don’t have to get upset over the criticisms. Kites is a sure hit. Hrithik too doesn;t have to get upset with the media. Let them say anything. It hardly matters. The collections wont come down because of their criticisms. Kites is indeed the top grosser. KVRaman