O Yuva Yuva. Review on Yuva - Bollywood

All Mani Ratnam films have two trademarks.

One, his films are technically superior to anything that comes out of Bollywood.

Two, his extracts the best performances from even the worst of actors.

Unfortuantely his last few films have developed another trademark,

lack of a coherent storyline.

And shock of shocks, Mani walks down the path of non-linear story telling

perfected by Hollywood (Memento, Mullholland Dr, Amores Perros, 21 Grams)

Well, why not ? It's different !!!!!

Yuva tells the story of three different youths set in Calcutta,

Michael Mukherjee (Ajay Devgan, too old to play a student but cool as ever)

student leader , out to change to world one constituency at a time.

At his side is next door neighbour (Esha Deol)

Arjun (Vivek Oberoi, good casting and good performance), a happy go lucky

guy who wants to go to America for further studies and of course for the babes.

Lallan (Abishek Bachchan, WOW) a criminal youth who has no scruples at all.

He lies to his wife Sashi(Rani Mukherjee, cho cute)about going straight.

These three characters come together when Lallan shoots Michael in the chest

on Howrah Bridge where Arjun is wooing his love Meera(Kareena Kapoor, so cool)

and Arjun witnesses the whole incident and dives in the water to save Michael.

There is the evil politician (Om Puri, thick bong accent) and the usual

gaggle of non-descript characters that one see's in a Ratnam film.

But the weak story lets you down and even the slick technique and Rahmans music cannot save the film

For the performances,

~Rani Mukherjee is as bankable as ever

~Kareena Kapoor is super cool as the wildchild

~Esha Deol finally shows that her acting genes are kicking in

~Vivek Oberoi is correctly cast

~Devgan, although looking too old to play a student, gives 101% to his role.

But the high point of this film is Abhishek Bachchan.

He finally sheds the AB hangover and does his own stuff.

He plays the complex character of Lallan, who is by turns sensitive,brutal,remorseless,relentless,

with such ease that would give even seasoned actors goose flesh.

If you have to Yuva see it only for Abhishek Bachchan.