Finding Fanny (2014) Reviews

• Refreshingly Good, Simple, and Feel Good Comedy, with its own share of ignorable flaws

  raja-mishra72014-09-12

  FINDING FANNY (English): 7.5/10 Finding Fanny revolves around five rather dysfunctional characters on a road trip to find "Fanny"- the love of the life of one of them. As the amusing plot unfolds, the characters are shown in vibrant shades and a rather refreshing climax wraps it up in a very nice way. All in all, a good movie worth watching at least once. A brave attempt to recreate the magic of the old time comedies lost after Hrishikesh Mukherjee and his school of film making. Its a feel good comic-drama backed by some decent performances. The actors brought alive the characters, which, must I say, were rather well built. While Pankaj Kapoor was the best in the lot and Naseeruddin Shah was just about as outstanding as ever, it was Dimple Kapadia, who did that bit of extra-effort to fit into the canvas with an air of grace. I have had my reservation on the selection of Arjun Kapoor, who seemed to be edgy at times; all credit must go to the director who was able to judiciously moderate the character to hide Arjun's monotonous limitations rather colourfully within the frame. Deepika Padukone for a change performed surprisingly well, and dare I say beyond expectations. Worth mentioning: she looked stunning in her rather simple get-up for the film. However, making her the primary narrator, well, was apt, but not judicious. An out and out off-beat feel good movie, without much of melodrama, grandeur and unnecessary colours, Finding Fanny is a tale right out of a book of great Indian short stories and stands as a one off instance of a movie that has been narrated and directed well from behind the camera. The script was seamlessly flowing, and the story was well woven, the camera man, requires a word of praise for making Indian locations look as beautiful and appealing. To sum it up, its rare to find that feel good brew, which has been ever so elusive from Hindi films for some time now. The dead cat didn't smell for a real long time, almost through out the trip, apart from that continuity was well managed.

• Delicious, quirky characters add fizz to this funny film

  anagpal2014-09-12

  Naseeruddin Shah : is a shy, solemn loner, the post master in a village where no one posts or receives any mail, still is a choirboy singer even though his days of being a boy are well behind him. And he brays, nay, sobs inconsolably as he receives a marriage proposal he'd made to his beloved Fanny via mail, forty-six years ago. It was never posted ! And the only one who understands him, is willing to help him is the girl he considers to be like a daughter, who he thinks will make one lucky bugger a great wife and will also be a super mother…Deepika… Deepika Padukone : ethereal, leggy, flashing that dimpled smile of hers, a vision in floral dresses, floating through their tiny Goan village, remains upbeat despite all that's happened to her, with her husband choking to death on her wedding day, she till today isn't sure whether she should've accepted her hubby's proposal or gone with his friend instead, her quiet admirer, the quiet, quite infatuated… Arjun…. Arjun Kapoor : left town the day Deepika was going to get married. Rumour has it he went to Mumbai and was successful in some business. Is now back in their village. Not happy about how things have turned out. Prone to angry outbursts. Alone in his dilapidated house, which is falling apart. And working on his old car, which is also falling apart. Which he's just sold to… Pankaj…. Pankaj Kapur : is the new man in town, an award winning artist, a painter who earns huge sums for his every brush stroke. Is enjoying his solitude, the idyllic sylvan surroundings, his alcohol. And is also indulging in his fetish for 'big' women…by ogling at Dimple… Dimple Kapadia : who does have a really large ass ! Also happens to be Deepika's mother in law and house mate, the woman who makes the tiny village tick, the one who organizes everything and loves being the centre of attention…the type who will try to commit suicide but will cough first to make sure someone is watching…the stingy type who will hide the cookies if she thinks her guest is eating too many…the type who feels too many drinks don't agree with her legs. Gout? Inquires Pankaj, solicitously ? No, she laughs, it makes them spread open… These five quirky characters set off on a drive to locate Naseer's precious Fanny. In the dilapidated car. From the village that we're assured is so tiny, you cant locate it on a map. And interesting things happen on the way. This is one of those delicious movies where its not so much about the story but more about the characters and the conversations. Where the script and the dialogue is, quite refreshingly, actually king. Where the music sets the mood but doesn't overpower. Where the performances by the stalwarts, Pankaj, Naseer are every bit what you would expect – they get into the skin of their assigned roles, changing body language, their walk, their way of talking to ensure we believe in them. Pankaj, in particular, has more scope to display his intensity, especially in a little bit towards the end. Dimple is very good too, dominating yet hesitantly finding her way through the challenges life has thrown at her. Arjun has probably the most unidimensional role and he does it credit. In acting chops, probably the one who has to go the furthest, but he can still hold his head high after this one. And Deepika…ah, sweet, lovely, Deepika! Anyone who doubts whether she can act…I mean, really act…better be advised to watch this one. None of the histrionics, over the top gestures and mannerisms of say, Chennai Express…just subtle changes of expressions, a slightly quizzical mien of inner happiness with just a smidgen of indecision. This is one of those films which is about journeys, self-discovery, life and more. The lessons made easy with the humour and the idiosyncratic dramatis personae. Set in a place where we all wish we could be…simpler, where time seems to stand still. And its not so much about Finding Fanny, but finding love…at any age… More reviews at ApurvBollywood

• To start with I am impressed

  raghav-dude2014-09-12

  To start with I am impressed with the fact the director who made a commercial masala film like Cocktail actually made this film. Finding Fanny is not a regular Bollywood film, it's for a very niche audience. Most filmmakers say that their films are different but take my word for it because this one is actually different. The story revolves around five characters and is set in a village called Pocolim in Goa where life is slow and simple. Their needs are minimal and they live what I would call a retired life. A young widow Angie (Deepika Padukone) decides to help the old postman of the village Fredie (Naseeruddin Shah) to find his long lost love. He is depressed because it's now, after 46 years he finds out that the love letter he wrote to the woman he loved actually never reached her. In this mission of Finding Fanny, Angie ropes in her mother-in-law Rosie (Dimple Kapadia) the self-appointed Lady of Pocolim who calls the shots and throws her weight around with the locals. Savio (Arjun Kapoor) who loved Angie many years ago is back in town, he will drive the car as he is the only one who can, the car which belongs to Don Pedro, an artist who's interested in Rosalina. It actually is not the destination that matters here but it's the journey of these five characters completely different from each other but with clean hearts. There is an undercurrent of humour in the film, in fact some scenes will leave you in splits. Acting is top class. All the five actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Deepika Padukone and Arjun Kapoor display their best talent and put up an amazing show. Saurabh Dwivedi's review | Cinematography by Anil Mehta does a terrific job. The film is very well crafted. Music by Mathias Duplessy and Sachin-Jigar is perfect for this film. It's tough to get the music right, which plays a very important role and here it's clearly in sync with the director's vision. If you are expecting a masala film because it has Bollywood's current top actress Deepika Padukone then you will be disappointed because it's not one!? With Being Cyrus, Cocktail and now Finding Fanny Homi Adajania's filmography is quite a cocktail. To pull this off and make it entertaining is not easy, but it's clear he is an extremely talented filmmaker. If you are up for watching something different then go and watch Finding Fanny, you won't be disappointed.

• Just Find a theatre to watch this fantastic movie :-)

  camayanknailwal2014-09-12

  Finding Fanny [4/5] When love doesn't come knocking on your door, you go knock on its door. Out of all the valuable lessons that Finding Fanny teaches you, this one is worth taking home! Finding Fanny is the story of Angie, (Deepika Padukone) the widow of Garbo (Ranveer Singh) who stays with her mother-in- law Rosie Eucharistica (Dimple), another widow. Angie believes that no one deserves an incomplete love story, so she sets out on a road trip with her mother-in-law, her friend Savio (Arjun Kapoor), the famous painter Don Pedro (Pankaj Kapoor) and Freddi (Naseeruddin Shah) to help find Freddi's long lost love, Stephanie Fernandes. The first half of the movie is very entertaining. Goa looks a lot more beautiful than what we have usually seen. The cinematographer is nothing short of brilliant! From the look of its trailer, Finding Fanny seems to be a comedy, it's not just that, it's a lot more. The second half of the movie seems to go by a lot faster than the first half and is filled with some very unexpected turn of events that leave you shocked and amused at the same time! The movie inspires you to act and seek out whatever it is that you want, instead of waiting for it to come by. By the end of the movie, you'll manage to smile through your tears. Whether you like this movie or not depends hugely on your taste. If you have been a lover of commercial cinema like Chennai Express or Kick, Finding Fanny might not interest you that much. But if you have a taste for diverse cinema, Finding Fanny is the right pick for your palette. All actors have done a fabulous job. My favourite of the five is Pankaj Kapoor, who didn't even had a necessary role as per screenplay, is just OUTSTANDING! Naseerudin Shah is very lovable and cute. Deepika is also good but she shines in narrating the story. Arjun Kapoor is revelation. He should try more roles like this. And finally, Dimple Kapadia. She should be applauded for accepting such kinda role that not everyone can play and she is fantastic. Background score is very good. And finally, the immensely talented director, Homi Adjania deserves the maximum credit for what he has delivered. One needs to be very creative in order to tell a dark and emotional story in an entertaining way. And he does a fab job. Finding Fanny is the best movie Bollywood has produced this year since QUEEN! Highly recommended :-) [4/5]

• Amazing Movie! A must watch for people who love quirky off-beat films.

  adicool22132014-09-12

  First of all, watch this Finding Fanny in English if possible & not the Hindi Dubbed version. The English version is better. It's a niche film & if you like full on bollywood masala crap, this movie is not for you. It's for an intelligent audience. It has brilliant performance from veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur & Dimple Kapadia. Young actors Deepika Padukone & Arjun Kapoor surprisingly hold their own in front of these veterans, also their chemistry is very refreshing. The screenplay & direction by Homi Adjania is quirky & amazing. I remember I was a little disappointed with his last film Cocktail because I was not expecting something like that from him after the mind-blowing 'Being Cyrus' (which again was an off-beat film). But after watching Finding Fanny I can say that he's back to being his old self which is a good thing. We need more directors like him & more intelligent cinema than mindless masala crap which bollywood serves these days. A special mention for Deepika who not only looks breathtakingly beautiful but also gave another fine performance. After her 4 back to back superhits past year, I wasn't expecting Deepika to do a niche film like Finding Fanny but I was wrong. By doing a film like Finding Fanny which guarantees critical acclaim but not box office success, Deepika has proved that she's not here just to make money but wants to do meaningful films & give a great performance.