 |
| Photo Courtesy - Midday |
Goa’s image gets a big makeover lift in this film – devoid of any mushy tinge of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ or outrageously rave-laden gloom of “Dum Maaro Dum” and some cheap dope-shit of “Go Goa Gone.’ The narrator reiterates at the start of the film that nothing goes unnoticed in Pocolim for the natives, but there is nothing to notice here for outsiders.
What makes this film a sheer treat to watch is not only the picturesque cinematography of Goa or presence of quality actors or witty dialogues, but that uncommon honesty to deliver an authentic film premised upon simplicity. Homi Adjania – the director never ever tried to mess-up with the momentum or rhythm of the film. Only three films old in Bollywood – Adjania has just started, but if I have to draw the comparison or applaud this director then I would say that Finding Fanny has moments, reminiscent of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s cinema – I know it’s a compliment of a mammoth level and now Adjania will have a lot to justify in a longer run. Five main characters of this film look convincing from the start and stick to their true-self till the end with an uncompromising and unapologetic laid-back attitude.
The story flows with an optimum pace except a few moments which are consciously peppered with quirky dialogues or expressions to extract humor – and the director did succeed in that. Some of my favorite stand-out moments in this film are:
• Ferdy (Naseer), who is a postmaster in Pocolim looks jaded when he cries like a child and Angie (Deepika) stuffed his mouth with a cloth. In another scene, Naseer looked completely lost in his grief, riding a bicycle – with closed eyes and open-mouth, crying and looking painfully unhappy. Ferdy appeared endearing in every scene and his mannerism evokes a lot of humor, whenever he looks puzzled or tries to assert his character or views.
• When Angie convinces timid Ferdy to search for Fanny. Just like a confused child, Ferdy looked convinced and contrived at the same time. Ultimately, fiery Angie coxed and persuaded Ferdy for the search-quest.
• Pankaj Kapoor plays the role of Don Pedro with his typical panache and adds that requisite fervor to a lecherous and somewhat vulgar character, when he first meets Rosy (Dimple Kapadia). He tries to measure-up the “Full-Figure” of Rosy with his X-Ray eyes and on a couple of occasions reached an orgasmic-state, while delving deep into sexual fantasies. Pankaj Kapoor’s perfect expressions make this vulgar character so funny and charming.
• In another scene during the second-half, Pedro discarded Rosy like an object after he managed to draw her painting, and before we could feel pity for Rosy, Director ended Pedro’s journey in the film.
• Angie (Deepika) and Savio’s post-sex discussion offers another laugh-out-loud moment. It was a hilarious scene when Angie overtly puts a doubt in Savio’s mind regarding his just concluded performance in coitus.
• An innocent looking boy shows middle finger to Savio on a couple of occasions – it is a paradox of a scene, where other characters look happy or indifferent, except the preposterous and angry Savio, who ultimately gets a fitting reply from this boy.
I don’t find it practically viable for myself to watch movies in a theater - if their promos don’t convince me a lot. Obviously, Finding Fanny’s nifty trailer had it. And, most importantly, the star-cast made me watch this film. If Pankaj Kapoor and Naseer are in a film – I bet there must be something in terms of so-called nuance. Appeared utterly authentic, simple and convincing from the start to finish – Finding Fanny will linger in my mind for a long time.
