Jaal Movie Review

There are times when you don't go to watch a film without any expectations, but the outcome takes you by surprise. JAAL - THE TRAP, directed by Guddu Dhanoa, is one film that falls into this category.

The film is one of those fares that emphasises on content. In fact, the screenplay of this film [penned by Rajiv Kaul and Praful Parekh], coupled with director Guddu Dhanoa's handling of the subject and Tinu Verma's action sequences, are the USPs of this enterprise.

The film begins with a few militants trying to kidnap Reema Sen in New Zealand, but Amrish Puri and the armymen foil this attempt.

Amrish Puri comes to Shimla for his daughter's wedding. His son [Sunny Deol] falls in love with a school teacher [Tabu], a widow. Tabu's father-in-law [Anupam Kher] is dead against the relationship, but gives in gradually.

Meanwhile, the same militants kidnap Tabu and their leader [Mukesh Rishi] expects Sunny to go to New Zealand and kidnap Reema and in return, they promise to set Tabu free.

Blinded by love, Sunny goes to New Zealand. Amrish Puri is overjoyed to receive his son and happy to know that he will work with him. In the meanwhile, Reema falls in love with Sunny, but he is just not interested in her. All he thinks of is Tabu.

Sunny continues to wait for an opportunity to kidnap Reema. The opportunity comes in the form of Reema's father who comes to New Zealand with a young man and wants her to marry him.

But Reema is against the marriage and requests Sunny to take her to India. Once in India, Sunny hands over Reema to the militants and as per the deal, expects Tabu in return. But the turn of events takes him by surprise...

The very beginning of the film - a 15-minute chase on the snow-capped mountains of New Zealand - sets the mood right. Although the first half has a couple of interesting sequences, mainly the interval point, it is the second half that bowls you completely.

The twists and turns in the second half - when Sunny hands over Reema to the militants - come as a bolt from the blue. Even the climax is simply brilliant. The train chase is breath-taking and action co-ordinator Tinu Verma deserves distinction marks for coming up with such an effective finale.

Prior to that, the boat chase is something that is sure to mesmerise the Hindi cinegoer. Never before has such a chase been executed on the Hindi screen before.

Not that there aren't any flaws in the second half. The main flaw is its length and the uneven pace, which picks up, drops and picks up again in the climax. However, the brilliant climax puts a whitewash on the drawbacks.

Guddu Dhanoa's direction is an asset. Not only has he done full justice to the subject, the film also boasts of several poignant moments that remain etched in your memory even after the show has concluded. A majority of sequences in the second half are not only well penned, but well executed as well.

For writers Rajiv Kaul and Praful Parekh, it's yet another triumph. The subject looks routine in the first half, but the manner in which the suspense unfolds in the second half is an apt example of mature writing. Aadesh Shrivastava's background score is first-rate.

Tinu Verma's action sequences are the best in the recent times. Sunny's fans, who had been sorely disappointed by the absence of action sequences in his last few releases, will see the actor in the element once again. Be it the motor boat chase or the train sequence in the climax, Tinu proves that he's amongst the best in the business.

Cinematography is of standard. Dialogues are okay. Editing could've been better. Production values are lavish. The makers have left no stone unturned in giving the film a lavish look and the money spent is visible in every frame.

The performances from the principal cast - Sunny Deol, Tabu and Reema Sen - are competent. Sunny is extremely likeable, essaying a role with utmost conviction. Tabu is outstanding. Her performance in the second half takes the viewer by surprise.

Reema Sen, earlier seen in HUM HO GAYE AAPKE, enacts her part without going overboard. Amrish Puri is as usual. Anupam Kher is first-rate. His death sequence is well executed. Ashish Vidyarthi impresses yet again. Shahbaaz Khan leaves a mark.

On the whole, JAAL - THE TRAP is a well-made flick with two strong points - the story and the action sequences in the post-interval portions. At the box-office, the film has all it takes to keep its investors safe thanks to its reasonable price-tag. The only aspect that could affect the film's business prospects would be its low-key promotion.