It aint easy to some up Finding Fanny. Textually different, it’s
multi labyrinth scale leaves you sometimes gasping for more, sometimes trying
to connect and sometimes yawning. All this notwithstanding FF is an intriguing
film if not completely an interesting film. A road film this is one where the
characters journey far more than they travel. Perhaps in line with rare films
like Dev D and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam it is about a women’s sexuality over her
sensuality, it is a tale where love is a façade and convenience the real. The
filmmaker (Homi Adjania) surely knows his craft. Problem is that he expects the
audience to be as familiar. Resultantly as the film reaches beyond the
multiplex, the response has more cat calls than foot falls. However designedly
it is a film not crafted or targeted at all and for all.
We are taken to the fictious Pakolim a forgotten village in Goa where time has
come to a stand still. In an idyllic world our principal players essay skewed
lives. Each of them carries baggage and they burden the others with it on a
common journey. Life and relationships are not defined or clear (straight after
all has a different contemporary connotation!). The expectations are different
and often disproportionate to what they are willing to offer. A lopsided
emotional frame work is the resultant product. Its patches, scars not
withstanding romance and love seem central to life (or at least celluloid life
!).
Each of the characters chase their illusions, delusions and suffer their share
of heart breaks.
Ferdie (Naseer) the local postman – with no letters to deliver
wakes up one morning to find at his doorstep an undelivered letter, addressed
by him confessing his live for Stefaine Fernandez (Anjali Patil). For one who
has lived a life of resignation and withdrawal the letter opens up not just the
Pandora’s box but also hope. To go in search of lost love is on the agenda….
Angie (Deepika) is a young charming widow who lost her hubby
at the wedding party (a very miniscule appearance by Ranvir Singh). Was she in
love? Did widowhood seal her emotions? Obviously not. Life teaches you to move
on. It may impose certain societal restrictions but raw emotions (or is it
human craving for survival?) do lead to a path that could be adventurous. To
walk it is her task….
Madam Rosalyn (Dimple Kapadia) is the fretting mom-in-law who
is the gals guardian zealously guarding her but with an extended jurisdiction.
She is the local busy bee who has arranged her son’s funeral service and stage
managed her husbands. Tickle her vanity and things come crumbling down. None
the less after the disaster there is the morning. Whether you go in search or
not, it arrives. So move on…..
Don Pendro (Pankaj Kapoor) is the active voyeurist. A world
famous artist who is lost in the calm of a silent world indifferent to his art.
His eyes ravenously swallow the physical attributes of Madam Rosalyn. His
wealth and car come in handy for the motley group of the odd balls to embark on
the journey searching for Fanny. Are his deeds idiosyncrasies of an artist, are
they a license? They can be fatal in a world of intrigue and design. Move till
you drown and posterity salutes!! Meanwhile move on…
Savio (Arjun Kapoor) the loner who is emotionally resigned.
What do you do when your friend took away the birdie. You become a recluse and
run away from everything Love, life and sorrow can be irksome constant
companions. The escape could be the journey.
So they all journey. In the process their experiences, upheavals and the
scripty finale. Apart from the cerebral script fine performances mark the film
and keep it alive and going. While Naseer, Pankaj give it the solidity, Arjun
gives Bollywood a wake up call demanding more serious attention to his talent.
Deepika is gorgeous and reminds you that given a good role and some serious
effort she too can act. Dimple is awesome. The lady has sacrificed her repute
to being gorgeous with the over the hill stance with great panache. An award
winning performance.
Take the ride only if you care for adventure.
Rating : 3 stars.
+ A different grammar.
– Often meandering.