Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya

Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya
(translates as "why did I fall in love")
2005
4/5 stars

Womanizing doctor Samir (Salman Khan) always tells his girlfriends that he is married, so as to prevent any serious relationships.  When he falls in love with Sonia (Katrina Kaif) and wants to marry her, Samir tells her that he will get a divorce.  Sonia insists on meeting his wife first, so Samir persuades his nurse Naina (Sushmita Sen) to pretend to be his wife.  When Samir's mother (Beena Kak) arrives and discovers that he is "married", further complications ensue.  All the while, Sonia's neighbor (Soliel Khan) is trying to woo her, too.

Based on Hollywood's 1969 Cactus Flower, this romantic comedy is quite amusing.  While I wasn't impressed with all the music, I found some of the group choreography quite good.  Sen gave a great performance, and Salman Khan did well also.  While I'm not fond of the slapstick humor used by Soliel Khan in this movie, the chemistry between the brothers was fun to see.  Kaif is the weak link in this film.  Either she is a poor actress (I wasn't fond of her in Partner, either) or her role wasn't well written.  If you compare this film to the original, it doesn't stack up well; however, on it's own as an example of typical Bollywood, it's fun to watch.

Includes cameo by Arbaaz Khan.

Cactus Flower

Cactus Flower
1969
5/5 stars

Womanizing Dr. Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) has told his new girlfriend, Toni (Goldie Hawn) that he is married, to prevent the relationship from getting serious.  He decides he does want to marry Toni, and tells her that he will get a divorce, but she insists on meeting his wife first.  He persuades his longtime nurse Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman) to pretend to be his wife.  Stephanie and Toni meet, but things don't turn out just the way Julian had expected.

This romantic comedy is pure fun, with great lines and perfect delivery from the two veteran actors.  Goldie Hawn's Oscar winning debut performance is a true delight.  The sets and costumes looked wonderful, and the supporting cast of Jack Weston, Rick Lenz, Vito Scotti, and Irene Hervey added greatly to the overall experience.  This is a film well worth watching.

This movie is available to rent on Amazon.

Dil Tera Aashiq

Dil Tera Aashiq
(translates as "heart is your lover")
1993
3/5 stars

Sonia (Madhuri Dixit) is in need of money to support her ill mother.  She disguises herself as Savitri, an older governess, and is hired by Chaudhary (Anupam Kher) for his young niece and nephew.  His older nephew (Vijay, played by Salman Khan) meets her as herself and is immediately love-struck, little knowing she is also the governess.  Chaudhary eventually falls in love with "Savitri" and Sonia finds herself in an interesting situation.

This romantic comedy has an uneven plot, being quite good in the beginning, then turning too silly.  The songs, with the exception of the title song, are average.  The dancing/choreography is a bit below average.  The cast is good, and Dixit and Khan have good chemistry together.  Kher, as always, gives a great performance.  Dixit does a nice job balancing her two roles, but Khan is just average in this film.  Overall, it's fun to watch, but not memorable.

The cast also includes Kader Khan and Shakti Kapoor.

Keeping Mum

Keeping Mum
2005
4/5 stars

The family of the retiring and oblivious Reverend Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson) is falling apart: his wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) is lonely and looking for solace with the golf instructor (Patrick Swayze), his daughter is running wild, and his son is being bullied at school.  When the new housekeeper, Grace (Maggie Smith), arrives, things begin to look up for the Goodfellows as problems seem to miraculously disappear.  What they don't realize is that 43 years ago, Grace was responsible for clearing up a problem of her own in a most interesting way.

In this disturbingly entertaining black comedy, the veteran cast display their excellent acting skills. Atkinson is particularly great, and it's hard to find a better actress than Dame Maggie Smith.  The story line was engaging from the beginning and flowed with good timing. The humor is not going to be for everyone, but I often found it laugh-out-loud funny.  Overall, while I can't give it a universal recommendation, it was an enjoyable film for those who appreciate the twisted British wit.

Meri Pyaari Bindu

Meri Pyaari Bindu 
(translates as "my lovely Bindu")
2017
4/5 stars

Abhi (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a successful horror writer; he wants to pen a romance, but is undergoing writer's block. He finds an old mixed tape that he made with his one real love, Bindu (Parineeti Chopra), and it inspires him to write of that love, from their first meeting as children, to the last goodbye.

This is a bittersweet romantic comedy/drama.  The plot is interesting and engrossing through to the end.  Khurrana and Chopra have good chemistry together, and both acted well, though  Khurrana looked too old to play the part of college-age student. The music was nice, but there was very little dancing.  Overall, it's a relatable and enjoyable film.

Movie is free with Amazon Prime.

Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa

Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
(translates as "the one whom my heart longs for")
2004
4/5 stars

Rishabh (Salman Khan) and Pari (Preity Zinta) have a deeply happy, loving marriage until Pari is killed in an accident.  At her death, she becomes connected to a young woman (Dhani, played by Bhumika Chawla) in a real and tangible way.  Unaware of the connection between them, Rishabh and Dhani meet.  Dhani immediately falls in love with him, and Rishabh, though attracted, fights against it, as he'd rather live in the past with Pari.  When the connection is discovered, their lives will be changed.

This is a sweet, emotional drama, celebrating the depth of true love.  Khan has good chemistry with both Zinta and Chawla, and all play their parts well.  Helen plays Dhani's grandmother and is, as always, a delight.  The music is nice, but the choreography is below average.  Overall, despite a resolution I found to be too quick, this is an excellent film.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
(translates as "a match made by God")
2008
4/5 stars

Vivacious, beautiful Taani (Anushka Sharma) suffers a catastrophe on the eve of her wedding, and at her father's request, she marries his trusted student Suri (Shah Rukh Khan).  Serious, nerdy Suri fell in love with her at first sight, but Taani tells him she'll never be able to love him, nor be happy and light-hearted again.  Suri takes on the role of a fun-loving Raj in her dancing class, hoping to make her laugh again, and hoping to use Raj to help Taani fall in love with Suri.  Things don't work as Suri had hoped, and he sees his chance of happiness with Taani become slim.

In this romantic drama, Khan plays an average man as Suri, and brash and loud as Raj, neither the handsome or charming character that is his usual role. This he does suprisingly well.  Sharma, in her first role, was excellent, and fully believable in her emotions. While the songs and choreography were average, the cinematography, locations, and sets were lovely.

I was conflicted as to the credibility of Taani's reaction to the truth, but otherwise found this to be a sweet and enjoyable film with a beautiful message, celebrating unselfish love.

Special appearances by Kajol, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Preity Zinta, and Rani Mukerji .

Movie available for free through Amazon Prime.

Badrinath Ki Dulhania

Badrinath Ki Dulhania
(translates as "Badrinath's bride")
2017
3/5 stars

Badrinath (Varun Dhawan), spoiled younger son of a wealthy family, meets Vaidehi (Alia Bhatt) at a wedding and falls in love with her.  She refuses his marriage offer several times, as they don't have similar backgrounds, or the same ideas about women, careers, and dowries. However, he at last persuades her to agree.  On their wedding day, Vaidehi makes a decision that rocks Badri's world and he is forced to mature and decide if he will be like his overbearing, misogynistic father, or become his own person.

On the face of it, this sounds like a delightful movie, and parts of it are.  There are some good songs, solid acting, lovely costumes, and great cinematography.  Dhawan and Bhatt have good chemistry together.  However, the plot is weak in parts, disconcerting in others, and overall the film is not memorable.

Movie available through Amazon Prime.

Jai Ho

Jai Ho
(translates as "Let Victory Prevail")
2014
4/5 stars

Jai (Salman Khan) is an ordinary man with a desire to help others.  He formulates a plan in which, instead of saying "thank you" for a kind act, the recipient will vow to help three others, telling them to do the same.  In helping others, Jai crosses the local political family, starting a feud.

This is a serious and violent drama with a most positive message, encouraging the doing of good, and celebrating the power of the common man.  It is an engrossing film, with an exceptionally good supporting cast.  Khan wears the same serious face throughout most of the movie, and does little acting other than action, but that doesn't lesson the film.  The music is good, the choreography nice, and the costumes often beautiful.  Overall, this is an intense, yet feel-good film, in the best Bollywood style.

Note: Cast includes Tabu as Geeta, and Daisy Shah as Rinky.

Movie available through Amazon Prime.