Pleasant Experience
By MovieTalkies.com, 27 June 2008
3 / 5
Kunal Kohli moves from the relationship dynamics of Hum Tum and Fanaa to a feel good Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. Of course, it is hardly magical, instead being for the most part, sentimental. But the film does have its few real moments, untouched by sentimentality, and taken overall, is a fairly entertaining film. Enhancing the film's value is definitely the presence of the two lead actors Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee, and the chemistry between them. In recent times, one has read a lot in the press about the two not being able to get on, etc. One look at the two of them together on screen and you wonder why they are not doing more films together. Rani and Saif have a wonderful chemistry on screen and it would not be saying too much, to say that of all his co stars, Saif fits best with Rani. It was great to see Rani re emerging in a vivacious, fun loving avatar. One had grown so used to watch her shed copious tears in her recent movies, that it was a relief to see the actress laughing and smiling her way through the movie.
Obviously taking off from the classical Mary Poppins, Kunal Kohli's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic tells the story of the proverbial poor old rich boy, sorry man, Ranbir Talwar (Saif) who accidently mows down a couple with his car. The court awards him the custody of the dead couple's three children. The kids are naturally hostile and Ranbir who has never learned to love, does not know how to communicate with the children. Into this unhappy state of affairs, God, played by a cherubic Rishi Kapoor, sends his favourite angel, Geeta (Rani), to make things right. So she sails into the children's and Ranbir's life and proceeds to work her magic on all. Very soon, Ranbir manages to win the hearts of the children but looses his to Geeta.
There is much to like in the movie, beginning with the kids, who, thankfully talk and think like real kids with real problems. The most touching of them being the Sikh kid Iqbal's identity crisis as he was adopted. The animosity of the kids is also understandable and has thankfully not been overplayed. Kohli displays a sure and steady hand in the manner in which he manages to control the proceedings. There are obvious problems with the film, like their acceptance of Ranbir their transition from animosity to love is swept aside. That is an area which has been left totally unexplored and could have made for a more fuller and more sensitive movie. Also, Rani's character, nobody seems to be much bothered by her antics. At least, not enough to wonder who or what she is. Also the end, where God allows Geeta to stay back on earth, seems to happen so automatically. There is hardly any conflict in the movie. Not even when an angel suddenly develops romantic feelings for a human being.
The film is supposed to be a feel good film and director Kohli never lets you forget that. Everything in the film appears in happy hues and shades, with hardly a cloud shadowing the proceedings. The special effects are there all in place, with angles cavorting in the skies etc. The film's music, which has been composed by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy is pleasant enough. Barring the loopholes in the script, Kohli wields the baton well as director and delivers an entertaining movie.
His master touch is revealed in the character of the ditsy Mallika (Ameesha Patel), who is Ranbir's girlfriend. She is the quintessential dumb blonde. Ameesha turns in a superb performance in the cameo as Mallika. Another interesting highlight of the film is the character of God played by Rishi Kapoor. As for the lead pair of Rani and Saif, there is not much that needs to be added about their presence. The two actors carry off their roles very well indeed and are a joy to watch on screen together. Saif handles the emotional scenes very well, specially the one in the end which reconciles him with the children. He fits the bill of the dashing, emotionally empty tycoon very well too. Rani is all warmth personified in her role as Geeta, who looses her heart to a bunch if human beings. She is very good. The kids turn in a very good performance as well, specially the kid who plays the role of Iqbal.
Kohli's succeeds with his attempt at making a feel good film, though the dash of magic could have been worked in better. But on the whole, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is a film which is entertaining for the most part. It is a pleasant experience, with the potential of being truly heartwarming.