Metro tells the story of a set of interconnected characters -- each one drawn in detail and seemingly real -- a rarity in Indian cinema. You can practically identify the characters as your neighbor, boss, friend etc.
Anurag Basu's direction has become increasingly confident with every release, and this is his best feature yet. Metro is moodily lit and shot, and the music by Pritam bleeds into the narrative in an uncommon fashion. Yes, the appearance of the singers gets boring ultimately, but the songs themselves tie the narrative threads impressively well.
The performances are of the highest order -- not a bad turn in the bunch. "Best in show" honors go to, not surprisingly, Irrfan Khan and Konkona Sen Sharma (they also have the most interesting story line). Kay Kay Menon continues his excellent work in films, Dharmendra and Nafisa Ali are superb in their slightly under-written story arc and Kangana Ranaut may be reprising the same role over and over again, but she seems to carry it off in a way I cannot imagine any other actress doing. The revelations, if any, should be Shilpa Shetty and Sharman Joshi - each turning in their career best work.
The end is a little hokey and very filmy, but most of this film works rather well.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Anurag Basu's direction has become increasingly confident with every release, and this is his best feature yet. Metro is moodily lit and shot, and the music by Pritam bleeds into the narrative in an uncommon fashion. Yes, the appearance of the singers gets boring ultimately, but the songs themselves tie the narrative threads impressively well.
The performances are of the highest order -- not a bad turn in the bunch. "Best in show" honors go to, not surprisingly, Irrfan Khan and Konkona Sen Sharma (they also have the most interesting story line). Kay Kay Menon continues his excellent work in films, Dharmendra and Nafisa Ali are superb in their slightly under-written story arc and Kangana Ranaut may be reprising the same role over and over again, but she seems to carry it off in a way I cannot imagine any other actress doing. The revelations, if any, should be Shilpa Shetty and Sharman Joshi - each turning in their career best work.
The end is a little hokey and very filmy, but most of this film works rather well.
3.5 out of 5 stars