Guzaarish Movie Review

The opportunities for melodrama are endless, but Bhansali’s priorities are different this time. Where you think this would be the thorny love story between two damaged souls – Ethan scarred on the outside; Sofia inside – this is a more understated relationship

This fantasy would be effective if the writing was more organic and the emotions felt more authentic but Bhansali never gives us a chance to invest in these people

Guzaarish is beautifully shot and has a larger-than-life operatic feel to it. But it’s also shamelessly manipulative. It’s hard to care for Bhansali’s characters because the emotions never feel real

Bhansali's painterliness wreaks havoc on the subject. The visual excesses distract from the basic emotions. You don’t feel for the central character

You get overwhelmed at first; leave slightly under-whelmed, eventually. That's the story of this otherwise fine film

Guzaarish is a gorgeous-looking, but sterile piece of work

Here the opera moves to the tedious court hearings, which make the movie feel long, even at two hours

The film tries far too desperately to evoke what Bollywood calls the 'feelgood' factor, but ends up evoking more apathy than empathy. Guzaarish starts off slow and beautiful, but gradually, sadly congeals into a wet mess

What should have been a subtle tearjerker turns into over-the-top melodrama

Guzaarish works on many levels and fails on many as well. The film’s need to stay rooted in its wild poetic personality comes in the way of actually tugging at your emotions

Spectacularly silly, pretentiously ponderous

Guzaarish, thus, is a simple story woven in a fascinating net of fervent sentiments, alluring photography, and stimulating dialogues

A film like Guzaarish isn't made for the box office. It's made for the gratification of the senses. And that it does, in ample measure.

Without doubt, Guzaarish is one of the most profound, insightful and enriching dramas of the year