Bollywood light- Western style
mk | parker, CO United States | 01/09/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If your not sure about Bollywood or those kind of crazy, perky, jump into song and dance Indian movies that seem to run forever, this might be a good intro or, at least, a more palatable choice.
Synopsis: A barely B-movie grade, unhappy, crass, American actress(Ali Larter) gets stranded in India. There she discovers friendship, work, love and a chance to be her true self. Her love interest Prem(Salman Khan), a choreographer teaching her to dance, holds secrets of his own, and the story unfolds in typical Bollywood fashion with musical numbers, comedy and romance. Add a few gentle twists and gorgeous, Indian scenery, and you have a very pleasant, although predictable( aren't they all!), romantic comedy.
Ali Larter makes no bones about lack of dancing ability which matches her character. She's done a few obscure movies and lots of TV and modeling(recently seen tastefully attired on a Cosmo cover). And she does a good job transforming from B-word diva want-to-be to sensitive, vulnerable heroine. She also sings and learns to dance. In the extras, she comes across very down to earth and sweet in what indeed had to be a most challenging role. Hopefully, we'll see more of her.
Her famous Indian co-star, Salman Khan is an amazing and somewhat peculiar sort. According to Ali, he hardly rehearses, learns the dance steps lickety-split, and he's a bit difficult to work with. I think his low toned, suave voice would suit radio perfectly. I love the secondary actors best for their comedy. Their sense of timing along with that accent always cracks me up.
American director Willard Carroll who studied tons of Bollywood flicks puts it together nicely. The 'Making of Marigold' in the extras sums it up in a fascinating display of cultural clashes and glitches: like trying to film at the Taj Mahal, piece mealing the extravagant, musical numbers together, shooting on location and avoiding mob scenes and overall, trying to present an American tolerable movie that's still reflects the Bollywood/Kollywood/whatever format.
If you're into true Bollywood, this movie will probably annoy you; otherwise, enjoy a musical, romantic romp along with a tour through a mystical land.
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Cute movie, perfect for incurable romantics!
Sylvie Steinbach | Los Angeles CA USA | 08/18/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I have seen few Bollywood movies in Hindi before despite the fact I don't speak the language so I was delighted to see an American-Indian co-production on the genre. Salman Khan is hot, ladies! He is emotional in this movie and I wish the producers would have inserted an interview of him on this particular work in extra. The documentary on Marigold is very insightful though. I found Ali more likeable as the film went on but not so at ease in the dancing scenes. It is a joyful movie with emotional moments and funny lines. You will enjoy it!"
"Like The Flower" ~ The Seven Stages Of Love
Brian E. Erland | Brea, CA - USA | 08/23/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Hollywood meets Bollywood in the '07 film 'Marigold', an enjoyable romp through Bombay starring Indian luminary Salman Khan and American actress Ali Larter. The movie begins rather slowly but as the relationship between Salman and Ali builds you'll find yourself slowly drawn into the storyline. Definitely not a classic but it does provide a solid evening of entertainment with exotic scenery, colorful costumes and music that is pure Bollywood. If you're unfamiliar with Indian films or reading subtitles this English language production will serve as a solid and painless primer on the Indian cinematic experience that may intrigue the audience enough to explore this ever-growing phenomenon further.
My Rating: -3 1/2 Stars-."