Barfi! reviews

Barfi put me onto an emotional rollercoaster and I am still churning from it. It makes you tear up and then as you reach for the tissue it makes yo... read more

Barfi put me onto an emotional rollercoaster and I am still churning from it. It makes you tear up and then as you reach for the tissue it makes you smile through your tears and then leaves you starting at an abyss. Just when you think you are dying it picks you up again and delivers you home exhausted but wanting to do it again.

At one point before the interval I thought it was getting to be a bit too cloying but it stops just short of it. Even the college crowd that spares no movie and laughs and comments its way thorough the most emotional scene, was for once stunned into silence.

The movie unravels the tangles of the relationship between Barfi, a deaf mute guy, his love for Shruti who marries sensibly instead of following her heart and Jhilmil an autistic girl. The story is simple at one leaves and yet complex as only a true love story can be. There are umpteen, tiny, perfectly nuanced moments that break your heart with their simplicity. I will not say more and leave you to discover these yourself as it has to be your experience and not mine.

Ranbir as Barfi is undisputably the finest young actor we have. He is uninhibited, involved and achieves the difficult balance between intensity and light heartedness that I think no once can match. Priyanka as the autistic girl does her most difficult role to date. No fancy costumes, no make up and not even any dialogues. Autistic children are intelligent and she has the sensitivity to show that intelligence and make us see a child-adult in her persona. Ileana DCruz makes a fine debut as the love interest. She manages to convey complex emotions in a couple of crucial scenes very well besides looking gorgeous. Saurabh Shukla is the voice of reason and practicality in the story and he discharges his duty honorably.

I can go on and on. Darjeeling and the countryside caressed by the camera, the enchanting music, the masked dancers; there is so much her to overwhelm your senses and enthrall you.

It is a bit too long in the second half but ignore me here.

Just go, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. A Barfi as sweet as this has to be experienced to be believed.

view less

As the end credits rolled reminding me of the beautiful montage from UP, I found myself teary eyed. Barfi had worked its magic and especially the l... read more

As the end credits rolled reminding me of the beautiful montage from UP, I found myself teary eyed. Barfi had worked its magic and especially the line which Shruti (Ileana Dcruz) says in the end about Love nailed the film for me.

Barfi is part thriller, part love triangle and a wholesome celebration of love and life. In a maze of flashbacks jumping from present day to Kolkatta of 1978 to the old world Darjeeling of 1972 we enter the life and times of Barfi.

Life is beautiful for this Charlie Chaplin meets Roberto Benigni like character called Barfi (Ranbir Kapoor) until he sees Shruti (Ileana Dcruz) and falls in love with her. She reciprocates but dosent have the guts to let her heart make the decision for her and chooses someone else over Barfi. Barfi gets a second chance at love when Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra) enters his life bringing in a series of adventures which also involves Shruti ending up learning a lot about love and relationships.

Barfi is two movies rolled into one. A love story and a suspense thriller. I think Anurag Basu brought in the thriller bit to keep the audience engaged especially when his story had two differently abled characters. One who can neither speak nor hear (Barfi) and the other an autistic (Jhilmil). He probably didnt want the film to take the serious art film route.

The thriller part gets repetitive and solving the mystery doesnt require the brains of Byomkesh Bakshi or Karamchand still do not let that take you away from the magical world created by Anurag Basu, his DOP Ravi Varma and the lilting melodius music of Pritam.

After Rocket Singh and Rockstar, Barfi is that hat trick of a performance for Ranbir Kapoor. My favorite is still Rocket Singh. I had serious doubts about Priyanka Chopra pulling off this role because playing an autistic is much more difficult than playing deaf, mute, blind etc. The body language can make it look caricatured but Priyanka hits all the right notes here. I could see the hunger in her to nail the part right and not disappoint her director. And thank god Ileana Dcruz was no Fakhri who spoiled Rockstar for me. If these 3 performances wouldnt have been in sync with each other the film would have lost the charm and magic that it holds.

For those who have lived in 70s it will make you nostalgic with things like murphy radio, old jingles, Good Ricke chai and my favorite - getting bartans inked with name and date. I dont know if people still do it but I have fond memories of the same.

And for those who have ever broken someones heart by thinking from the mind rather than the heart Barfi will make you question your decision because the message Barfi gives out is Bina soche samjhe pyar karo toh zindagi barfeen ho jaayegi.

Word of mouth - Barfi is an ode to all those unfulfilled love stories in which mind took decisions which were meant to be taken by the heart.

Rating **** (Very Good)

Ticket meter - Rush to a theatre near you. NOW!

view less

Incase you are a collegiate; you must have heard Barfi in conversations (more in recent times). “Chalo Barfi, aaj mess mein khaana acha nahi ban... read more

Incase you are a collegiate; you must have heard Barfi in conversations (more in recent times). “Chalo Barfi, aaj mess mein khaana acha nahi bana”, etc. So when you hear movies in talks with such day to day attachments, you know how popular it is. Barfi stands out as an entertainer and deserves a rating of 4/5. Barfi is unique - it plays with sounds more than words; it is therefore apt to write about silence more than the story. Here it goes -

Silence -

The movie started in a 'past before-past recall' inspired fashion with narratives from many characters. Barfi, the protagonist is a deaf dumb guy who lives in Darjeeling. He falls in love with a rich guy's daughter - Shruti. (goonge-raja ko rani se pyaar). But then, villains bhi to hain. They have an autistic daughter, Jhilmil, who falls in love with Barfi. The rich girl goes for a richer option and Jhilmil finds an apt match in Barfi. Sab settled. But hey, what if I tell you Jhilmil is kidnapped and Darjeeling's police are mad about catching Barfi and the thrills just goes on. You have to watch from here.

It's class. It plays less with words but more with emotions. The pace fluctuates. At one point, I thought, it will be a thriller (a really cult one But...). Sadly the ending was just too fast. It had the potential to become a cult thriller. And for that it would have to shed some of its silence and emotions, still iLike Barfi. First half is simple & sweet, second half is shorter and you are given an impression - it summed up too soon (as if there was a time limit given to the director).

Star cast -

Ranbir Kapoor- this movie brings him in the comfortable zone of stars. He has delivered a hit with yet other unconventional role. Awesome man, awesome.

Priyanka Chopra (Jhilmil)- if one person was inspired from SRK's 'my naam is khan', she was Priyanka. And she is better than Khan (as expected)

Illeana Dcruz (Shruti) - acting is satisfactory. Looks spectacular in some scenes, reasonable is some. In the series to rate fresh bollywood faces, she lies in - Diana Penty > Yammy Gautam > Illeana Dcruz > NehaSharma

Sangeet -

The music is scintillating. Background score is full of piano and violins. It puts you in the comfortable zone, which is devoid of tension. Songs are apt and works tremendously well in tandem with screenplay. Post the watching experience, you will love the songs even more.

Pritam kaise karte ho bhai'

Barfi is a movie which distinguishes itself from other ones, which attract sympathies due to involvement of handicap characters. The comic timing of the dumb-deaf character seems genuine and impresses you. Here you don't feel sorry for them, you enjoy them.

What works: the acoustic sounds, acting, Darjeeling, Barfi and his sweetness

What not: the confusion of making a thriller or a romantic, work of MakeUp artist (really bad)

AG's verdict: Not many movies speak so much silence. Barfi calms you. It's poetic. It gives you a soothing feeling. You feel litee after watching movie (litee means tension free). Go for it, even if you are a diabetic - Must watch.

Will it win Oscar'

NO (Anurag Basu's logic of inspiration does not work for me). Similar comparisons were drawn with Taare Zameen Par and Children of Heaven. The latter did not even qualified for the finals, even though it is easily one of the most emotive movies of recent times. And atleast one needs to pay homage for the inspiration taken. Sad that was not done. Enough said - Barfi is still must watch.

ps:

Hoping, more movies come out with names of sweets, Gulab-Jamun, Rosgulla (cheers)

view less

Barfi, from the very beginning, has every mark of a film well made. A rare combination of art and entertainment sans skin show item songs and cheap... read more

Barfi, from the very beginning, has every mark of a film well made. A rare combination of art and entertainment sans skin show item songs and cheap laughter, Anurag Basus Barfi takes Hindi cinema miles ahead from where it stands.

Barfi is a deaf and mute guy who believes in making the most of whatever life has given him. Two ladies in his life, the Shurty and the autistic Jhilmil complete his world. The film follows the story of how Barfi finds true love and companionship in Jhilmil, while Shruty finds contentment and purpose through her love for Barfi.

Mounted entirely on a Chaplinisque fantastical canvas, much of Barfis actions happen through signs and sheer physicality. With protagonists that are mute, deaf and autistic, dialogues are minimal and director Basu revives expressions and movements on screen.

Ranbir Kapoor ad Barfi is the heart and soul of the movie. He is silly, vulnerable, likable and well-meaning rascal all rolled into one. Unapologetic about his handicap, his character is one of those rare ones in Hindi cinema which do not manipulate your emotions with over the top melodrama. His outburst at Ileana rejecting his proposal is one scene where the actor shows his class, clearly placing him miles ahead of the current crop of actors.

Matching him scene to scene is Priyanka Chopra as Jhilmil, the autistic girl who finds love in Barfi. It is nothing less than a shock to see a mainstream glamorous actress get into a role like this with such sincerity. If Saat Khhon Maaf left one wanting a lot more from the actress, as Jhilmil, raises herself in stature and respect putting her in the list of the greats of Hindi cinema. Priyanka is awkward, slow in responses, possessive and innocent without being silly and making her handicap into a stereotype. Watching her is a simple delight, something one last experienced watching Rani in Black a while ago. The scene where she dreams of her wedding with Barfi is lyrical, visual poetry and asserts the growth in the actresss craft. Both she and Ranbir complement each other in their scenes together,

Ileana makes a confident debut putting in a spirited performance. It is to her credit that she chose a non-conventional path to a Hindi debut unlike her other southern contemporaries and she comes out with flying colors. Her biggest achievement is the fact that one remembers and registers her character despite two power packed performances by Ranbir and Priyanka.

Thankfully, Barfi is not just about acting. Director Basu provides us with one of the most flawless portrayals of handicaps. He makes the film work without a voice over or a sign language (a device Black used to beautiful effect). His story telling radiates the warmth and glow of a life well lived. Going away from the norm of commercial cinema, life in Barfi is not all hunky dory- the sad parts are not miraculously glossed over- and a message of hope is put across even in the bleakest of moments. Reminiscent of greats of the silent era like Buster Keaton, Basu infuses his narrative with surreal images- be it the three musicians transitioning the to and fro in time, or the boisterous rural drama scene- Basu seamlessly blends the magical with the real.

Barfi leave you moist eyed yet smiling at the same time. It fresh, it is warm, it is sunshine painted on the silver screen. Miss this to your own regret, for rare is a commercial Hindi cinema that is this pure and innocent these days.

view less

\rIn every actors career, there comes that watershed moment, a film that catapults them to the next level. For Ranbir, it was already Rockstar, so... read more

\r

In every actors career, there comes that watershed moment, a film that catapults them to the next level. For Ranbir, it was already Rockstar, so then where does Barfi fit in?

\r

Contrasting to the raw & powerful Janardhan, Barfi is a restrained & mature show of emotions, making Ranbir reason enough to go watch this film.

\r

\r

Barfi (Ranbir) is a deaf-mute who loves living life. Set in Darjeeling, this Chaplinesque Barfi falls in love with Shruti(Illeana) only for it never to bloom. This brooding young lover then falls into a situation that lets him encounter a differently abled girl Jhilmil (Priyanka C) and he ends up spending time with her.

\r

Through this journey, this odd pair find love in each others sincerity as the story moves back and forth and eventually has Shruti enter the fray again. Does Barfi find his true love, your guess is as good as mine.

\r

\r

There is an old world charm about this film & Anurag Basu hits all the notes perfectly. The music by Pritam is one of the best albums this year & fits the film like a glove.

\r

Visually too, the film is stunning & the camera itself adds a bit of pain to the story, thereby making it that much more authentic.

\r

\r

While its quite long, Barfi starts off a bit slow but eventually gathers momentum. The climax is truly heartwarming & leaves you applauding.

\r

But Barfi is all about performances.Ranbir rises above them all to put forth another stunner. This guy is definitely a legend in the making. Priyanka too is earnestly brilliant and completely in character. Illeana chips in with a good debut, a girl who can act.

\r

\r

Director Anurag Basu weaves an almost poetic film & leaves you feeling nice at the end of it all.

\r

For me, Barfi is a film about the crowning of a new superstar & there is no better reason to watch this film than Ranbir Kapoor. A tad bit long, this ones a film where the actor rises far above the final product.

\r
view less

The primary reason why we visit the cinema each week is because we want to escape or even take back something intangible or invaluable when we exit... read more

The primary reason why we visit the cinema each week is because we want to escape or even take back something intangible or invaluable when we exit. We sit in a dark room with hundreds of unknown people and collectively watch dreams unfold on screen. We crave for those two hours to be a memorable experience. We need a glimmer of hope, or a reason to laugh or cry. Even though mostly we don't have major epiphanies and start living our lives any differently, the person inside feels he/she isn't alone when the experience is shared with the characters we see. Barfi goes a little further and gives that person inside a hug. It transports you into a delightful world and gives you a small pot of gold to take back.

A sprightly song announces the start of the film and requests you to switch off your cellphones: "Picture shuru, picture shuru". It starts conjuring its spell from then on. A sequence, which would make Buster Keaton happy, soon follows. (Keaton, not Chaplin, please.) Yes, it has a few scenes that don't seem original. There are plenty reasons for this film to have ended up as a pretentious and clunky film but it foils this predisposition some minutes in and never stops bombarding you with dollops of charm.

It is characters like the protagonist of this film that I go to watch movies for in the first place. People who are inherently good. The story revolves around Murphy (Ranbir Kapoor) who is called Barfi because that's how he says his name and it kind of catches on with the inhabitants of Darjeeling. He is deaf and mute, you see, but never lets that come in between his cheerful perception of life and rarely clogs up his demeanor. His relationships with Shruti (Ileana D'Cruz) and Jhilmil (Priyanka Chopra) form the core of the story.

Ileana D'Cruz has a tranquil screen presence and it really helps that she is pretty as well (every role given to Asin, please bring it here). Priyanka Chopra is mostly brilliant but her performance can get borderline hammy which means lots of awards. For me, her best performance still resides in Kaminey (2009). The depiction of Jhilmils autism is a bit hackneyed but manages to sail as Anurag Basu handles it with sensitivity and doesn't take refuge in melodrama. The camera always looks at her with deep tenderness.

Anurag Basu has made films about lovers and/or criminals in the past. This time he mixes the two and with a smile on his face. His movies were always well shot but Ravi Varman creates some enchanting visuals giving enough reasons to gasp. The 70s have rarely looked this good in Bollywood. Pritam has produced his best work with the beautiful music which forms the backbone of this film. Ala Barfi, Main Kya Karoon, Aashiyan, Phir Le Aaya Dil, Kyon and Saawali Si Raat. How can I pick one song out of these and call it best? This is definitely the album of the year.

However, if I do have to pick what really makes Barfi so special it would be Ranbir Kapoor. He owns the film. He looks incredibly comfortable in his skin and performs effortlessly each second he is on screen. I can't think of a single false note. If I'm forced to think of one, then he is perhaps a little too charming for this role. He acts solely with his eyes, especially in one heartbreaker of a scene where he gathers he isn't worthy enough to marry. This extremely talented actor is making all the right decisions. I've been a fan of his work since Saawariya (2007) and I don't think I would like to change my mind. (Yes, all you Ranbir fangirls will have many reasons to have an orgasm swoon)

The love story is the stuff of vintage Bollywood romances. The non-linear structure is a bit out of place in a film like this and could have done without it. It doesn't succeed entirely but it is remarkable that Basu and his editors get away with it and don't hamper the experience. The film is a bit long but I don't mind the length if it gives me enough reasons to keep sitting there.

There is one moment near the end where Shruti has to make a choice which will determine the fates of all three characters and this elongated moment is what made me fall immutably in love with the film. There are a few instances, which turn on your tear-ducts, but there are more that fill you with immense joy and make you laugh. I have a smile on my face even while I'm closing this review. This is that smile which surfaces out of contentment. Barfi offers an endlessly rewarding and a magical movie experience.

view less

This story is absolutely unconditional, narrative uncomplicated one. Anurag Basu ( Director ) after Kites, which was a Fucking mess, this time show... read more

This story is absolutely unconditional, narrative uncomplicated one. Anurag Basu ( Director ) after Kites, which was a Fucking mess, this time shows his Awesomeness and Imagery as Good as possible. Outstanding Cinematography in Hazy Darjeeling which could set you charged. After a very long time Bollywood has got a Good film with less intensity, heart-breaking, humourous, non-fictional and an old fashioned entertaining cinema ! A Well- Defined Climax !

view less

Barfi is as sweet and delicious as it was meant to be.\r \rIn wake of recent south Indian remakes with slapstick comedy, dinchak item songs, over t... read more

Barfi is as sweet and delicious as it was meant to be.

\r

\r

In wake of recent south Indian remakes with slapstick comedy, dinchak item songs, over the top action scenes and superstar Heroes with crazy fan base that would make the unworthy of movies 100 grosser, Barfi comes as a wonderful surprise. Though the main protagonist are deaf and mute and autistic respectively, the movie makes no attempt to garner sympathy for its lead characters.

\r

The directors does not unnecessary complicate a simple story but instead has used non linear narration mode to add flavor to Barfi. There are no loose ends, no need of punch dialogs- the scene where Ranbir gives an earful Illeana without uttering a single word is sheer excellence. All actors have lived up to their character and depict real emotions.

\r

\r

Film making may have become a business now but movies like Barfi remind us Movie making is an Art and Anurag Basu has no dearth of that Art.

\r

\r
view less

When you observe that lights, air, shadows, mirrors and every other object in the frame are alive and telling a story, you know that the movie has ... read more

When you observe that lights, air, shadows, mirrors and every other object in the frame are alive and telling a story, you know that the movie has been intelligently crafted. Darjeeling though beautiful has been made better by the integration of adorable elements of life. The moment you start watching it, you start living it with them. There is honest selfishness, there is innocent crime and there is a lot of love. One feels that it could be lived with longer. If one misses to point out individual performances, one reason could be that the performances have been such that you only remember the story. And that can be a rare compliment!\r" When invariable every individual walks out of the hall with a joyful smile of happy emotions, you know that it was a life-ful direction. Barfi is a great attempt at intelligent and beautiful cinema. view less

The beauty of the film lies in the fact that it instantly absorbs you into Barfi's world. I wish to specify that one should not correlate BARFI! wi... read more

The beauty of the film lies in the fact that it instantly absorbs you into Barfi's world. I wish to specify that one should not correlate BARFI! with disability. It's more about characters who face the challenges that life has to offer, yet live a more gratifying life than anyone else. It's about living each day of your life to the fullest, giving happiness, feeling love. It's a unique love story between three exceptional characters, something we haven't witnessed on the Hindi screen earlier.
\r

\r
His parents named him Murphy, but everyone calls him Barfi. Always ready with a prank up his sleeve, he's quite the charmer, especially with the ladies. In Darjeeling, Barfi [Ranbir Kapoor] is the talk of the town. Even though he can neither speak nor listen.
\r

\r
His bitter-sweet relationship with two beautiful ladies, Shruti [Ileana D'Cruz] and Jhilmil [Priyanka Chopra], sets in motion a chain of events that turns his life upside down. A heart-warming tale of selfless love and about finding contentment in the smallest of things in life.
\r

\r
The finest thing about the film is its power to move and transform you on several occasions. It's the depiction of love and sacrifice that makes BARFI! worthwhile.
\r

\r
Blemishes? It's unusual for a Hind film hero to have no dialogue or lip-sync songs in the film. Also, the film is hugely experimental from the commercial point of view. The typical masala movie-loving audience may/may not embrace the film enthusiastically. Yet, I'd like to adjoin, Ranbir's character has relatability and one can only hope and also recommend that in these fast-changing times, an untouched theme like BARFI! is embraced with affection and warmth!
\r

\r
Besides, the film could've done with some trimming in the first hour. The pace slackens at times, although the chain of events in the second hour camouflages this minor aberration.
\r

\r
To depict an intricate and complex character like Barfi is not everyone's cup of tea and I doubt if any actor could've portrayed the part as brilliantly as Ranbir. Here's an actor who's truly versatile, courageous and flexible and his choice of films proves it. He has dared to illustrate a character which many mainstream actors may not choose to implement. Ranbir's facial expressions and body language is the hallmark of the enterprise. The critical complement I can award to Ranbir's act is that it is truly convincing, heartrending and intelligent, all rolled into one dazzling result.
\r

\r
Making her debut in Hindi films, Ileana, a prominent actress in South, is super efficient. She does everything with effortlessness, self-assurance, splendor and decorum and that's not an easy thing to do by any standard.
\r

\r
Saurabh Shukla is in terrific form. Akash Khurana is wonderful. Ashish Vidyarthi is effective. Ditto for Rupa Ganguly and Jishu Sengupta, who leave a mark in brief roles. Sumona Chakravarti is adequate. Haradhan Bandopadhyay, enacting the role of Dadu, is remarkable.
\r

\r
On the whole, BARFI! is unusual for Bollywood. You don't formulate movies like BARFI! targeting its box-office potential or its commercial prospects. You create such films for the passion of cinema. BARFI! is akin to a whiff of fresh air. Its foremost triumph is that it leaves you with a powerful emotion: Happiness! I sincerely believe, no Hindi movie buff should deprive himself/herself of watching this brilliant motion picture. Also, the viewer needs to savor Ranbir, Priyanka and Ileana's paramount performances, one of the strengths of this movie. Strongly recommended!

view less