Review : Raincoat

Inspired from the O.Henry story “The gift of the magi”, this movie is very average, notwithstanding the hoopla around it. The movie begins with Manoj (Devgan) going to Kolkata from his small town Bhagalpur (in Bihar), to meet with his college mates, to garner enough money to start a business. He stays in his friend’s (Sameer Dharmadhikari) house, and is made comfortable by his and his wife’s (Mouli Ganguly) hospitality. As he wanders about Kolkata meeting his friends, he also decides to visit Neeru, his sweetheart of yesteryears. The title of the movie apparently comes from a borrowed raincoat, which he uses to shield himself, travelling around Kolkata on a rainy day.Through flashbacks the director makes it clear to us that Neeru, although in love with Manoj, has married another according to her parent’s wishes, spurning Manoj’s indecision, and lack of resolve. When Manoj finally meets Neeru, he finds her alone in a large house full of expensive, antique furniture, draped in a silk sari. Amid the listless banter that ensues, Neeru explains that her husband, who is of a jealous disposition is on a trip abroad. She has servants, money and comforts, but her servants are out for the afternoon, and hence she is alone. Which is what causes her to borrow Manoj’s raincoat and step out to get him something to eat. During the time she is out of the house, Manoj has a visitor (Annu Kapoor). What the mysterious visitor tells Manoj, causes the story to turn on its head.

Rituporno Ghosh’s direction is average bordering on poor. The storyline is good, but the telling is tame, and drab. There are no sparks to liven up what could have been a great movie. Aishwarya might be gorgeous (even sans makeup), but truly cannot act. She might good for filmi stuff (and I did like her in “Hum dil dechuke sanam”), but when it comes to a role which plumbs the range of human emotions, as this one does, she just doesn’t cut it. Devgan renders his role adequately, and pretty much saves the film from being a complete disaster. The supporting cast is average. The dialogues are inane, and Aishwarya sometimes forgets her Bengali accent (apparently Ghosh didn’t notice). Annu Kapoor in the role of the mysterious visitor is good, and turns in a riveting performance. This film might have been good, had the lead actress been better, and the direction crisper. Lack of depth is another problem, for no scene in the film, actually touches you, and you do not truly feel for either of the main characters.

The music is slow, and adds to the depressive atmosphere of the film. I am no fan of Shubha Mudgal, but if you like her, you’ll probably appreciate the songs.

For all that, this film is worth viewing. ONCE. AT HOME. And when watching it, feel free to multi-task. Do the laundry or look up your stock portfolio; it’ll stop you from falling asleep.