WOODSTOCK VILLA Movie Review

WOODSTOCK VILLA Movie Review

Hindi cinema is slowly waking up to hardcore thrillers. Earlier this
year, Abbas-Mustan's RACE chartered a totally novel path. The
twists-n-turns in the plot moved in a serpentine manner, with the
viewer finding it difficult to guess what the outcome would be.
WOODSTOCK VILLA, directed by Hansal Mehta, also leaves the viewer
guessing what's in store next. The twists in this 12 reeler may not
catch you by complete surprise, but have ample shock value at times.

WOODSTOCK VILLA is treated more like a Hollywood flick. The plotline,
the sequence of events, the execution of the subject, the
hand-held/jerky camera movements, the grainy look -- this is no
been-there-seen-that kind of a movie experience [at least for Indian
audiences]. But a film molded on the lines of an English film should
start and end without any diversion. In this case, the obstacles are
the songs. Frankly, WOODSTOCK VILLA would've made a stronger impact
had it been a songless fare, since the songs are like unwanted guests.

Write your own movie review of Woodstock Villa
Overall, a decent fare that appeals more to those with an appetite for
hardcore thrillers.

A successful businessman's [Arbaaz Khan] wife [Neha Uberoi] disappears
one night. She has been kidnapped. The captor [Sikandar] demands a
heavy ransom, but things go wrong as the wife is murdered. The captor
buries the body at a secluded spot. But the mystery only deepens.

Director Hansal Mehta is in form after a long time [CHHAL ranks as his
finest work so far]. The USP of the film is its plotline, which grabs
your attention from the very outset. A few situations may seem
predictable, but a number of scenes do catch you unaware.

But, as mentioned earlier, every time something dramatic is about to
occur or occurs, a new song pops up from nowhere and the story comes
to a grinding halt. On one hand, the makers have had the courage to
choose an offbeat theme, but why contradict oneself by bowing to
market dictates? Were the songs really required?

From the writing point of view, the climax should've been stronger.
There had to be a scene or two that justified Neha's volte-face
towards the end. Also, the climax could've been more forceful.
Somehow, you can guess what the culmination would be!

Hansal Mehta has treated the subject well. He seems to be almost there
this time. The screenplay [Sanjay Gupta, Rajiv Gopal and S. Farhan]
have no glaring flaws as such. Milap Zaveri's dialogues have punch at
places. Vikash Nowlakha's cinematography is topnotch. Amar Mohile's
background score is outstanding.

Sikandar makes an excellent debut. WOODSTOCK VILLA is no song-n-dance
routine and demands a powerful actor who could carry off this complex
role. Sikandar is an actor to watch! Sure, he has screen presence, but
those who watch the film will applaud his performance before they
notice his looks.

Neha Uberoi is another talented actor. Oh yes, she looks alluring, but
beneath that attractive face lies a gifted actor. Another newcomer
with potential! Arbaaz Khan is alright. Sachin Khedekar and
Dayashanker Pandey are wasted. Shakti Kapoor is passable.

On the whole, WOODSTOCK VILLA has decent merits and holds appeal for
those with an appetite for hardcore thrillers. But its release has
coincided with the climax of the IPL matches and that would really hit
the business of this film hard.