Entertainment Hindi Movie

Feature Film | 2014 | Comedy
Critics:
One film that should tickle your funny bone enough!
Aug 8, 2014 By Noyon Jyoti Parasara


Salman Khan had very rightly pointed out in his episode of Koffee WIth Karan. Akshay Kumar is probably the only actor in his generation who has shown as much growth. From being labeled as merely an action star to being a convincing part of various genres, he is one actor who indeed has staked rights to his stardom. So much that he is easily the outright choice for a film like Entertainment.


Now that's where the catch is. While Akshay is a delight in his comic avatar, he is getting too old for the characters that he is offered. Despite his perfect expressions and timing, at no point does Akshay quite look like the age he plays, age showing on his face and neckline. Probably this should be sign enough for younger actors to try emulate Akshay.


Having said that, Entertainment is one of the rare comedies that actually stand for its name.


It is not easy to write comedies. What often seems funny on paper ends up flat on screen. Which is why movies which actually make you laugh throughout are pretty rare. While Entertainment would not make you laugh throughout, it will certainly entertain you enough.


Originally titled Oh My Dog, this one is centered around a dog and humanity. Akshay plays a guy who finds that his actual father is a billionaire. However even before he reaches his father's house to claim his property, the rich man passes away leaving all his fortune to his beloved dog. From there on the film is all about the property. To make things funnier two of the rich man's second cousins are also in fray. And in the tussle the dog leaves them all a better people.


The story has a heart. But more importantly the story is told in a way that impresses the heart.


First time directors Sajid-Farhad have written many of Rohit Shetty's comedies that have done wonderfully at the box office. Comedies like All The Best, Golmaal 3, Ready, Chasme Buddoor are some examples of their work. Needless to say, the two have saved quite an amusing film for their directorial debut.


While the screenplay is average, keeping it simple - in lines with the average Indian movie-goer's expectation - the film plays primarily on dialogues and characters. The humour is not derived from the lead but from the coterie. Actors like Krushna and Johnny Lever excelling in their usual comic spaces. Especial Krushna, considering he gets the most hilarious part - one where he general speech is never complete without attaching names of actors or films. The rest of the characters have their own quirks. So Akshay can't help but compare everyone to something else, Tamannah talks only on melodramatic rythms. Tamannah, Sonu Sood and Prakash Raj play their parts.


Entertainment also very subtle pays a spoofy tribute to many a bollywood film - from Sholay to Karan Arjun. For the filmy Indian this is quite funny.


Sajid-Farhad are also clever enough not to introduce too many songs into the screenplay. Two of the songs are finishes in the opening and end credits, with the film seeing just a couple of songs - a relief.


If you are not looking for much of intelligence, this is one film that should tickle your funny bone enough. A family watch.

Noyon Jyoti Parasara

   

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