Rangoon movie review: After giving hits like Omkara, Haider comes yet another masterpiece Rangoon. This is director Vishal Bhardwaj's monumental and hardwork. A classic movie, weighed and measured by the style and manner of its narrative. It is Adapted from the English film Casablanca and is a simple romance triangle set in India, dated 1943, against the backdrop of World War II.
Ayupp Rating: 3/5
Story: a Simple story line up and yet presented in a powerful way to hang the emotions on. The movie involves an ex-actor, who is is turned into a film producer Rustom Billimoria aka Rusi (Saif Ali Khan), his lover and inspiration Julia (Kangana Ranaut) and a army personnel Jamadar Nawab Mallik (Shahid Kapoor) who is assigned to protect her during an difficult journey to the border, where she is being deputed to entertain the Indian Army, serving under the British.
It is during this journey, Julia falls in love with Nawab Malik and soon realises that she is torn between the two people Nawab Malik and Rustom.
The screenplay is well designed. The narrative emotionally hooks you on, making you root for every character.
The characters merging from all the forms of society are deep, yet they are believable. They are well linked and their backstories make them a good part of the story.
Rangoon is Kangana's story. She is the Heart and Soul of the Movie. Her role is little more difficult than it might appear to be. She does here is as extraordinary in its own way as Nadia did during her times.
Her on-screen chemistry with Saif and Shahid is mixed. Kangana as usual has once again proved why she is the Bollywood Queen of Indian cinema.
There are many scenes where she does a brilliant job. The most striking performance of all is the scene when she dances before the Japanese soldiers hoping to break the ice with them.
Shahid Kapoor essays the role of Nawab Malik. With natural ease, he gets into his character and communicates his affection through his intense gaze. He is flawless in the action scenes.
Saif Ali Khan have nothing much to do. As Rustom Billimoria, he plays the producer. He is convincing as the chauvinist lover yet deeply in love. He is willing to go to any lengths to get his love back.
The supporting cast too are perfect and some of their scenes, in their own ways are equally wonderful, be it when Zulfi, a make up artiste and Julia's confidante, is shot mercilessly, the Japanese soldier keep captive by Nawab and Julia and who makes a desperate attempt at a get away.
The look and feel of the movie is magnificent and simply realistic. The landscape is beautifully exploited and the period created is rich and rewarding.
Finally we can say, Rangoon masterfully weaves a drama that keeps you sticking till the very end.