Masand's Verdict: Rock On rocks | Wanted is good fun

NOVEL ATTEMPT: Rock On is rescued by some great moments that stay until the end.

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Rajdeep Sardesai

26/11: Terror comes precariously close

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Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny, Koel Purie, Shahana Goswami

Director: Abhishek Kapoor

With Rock On, director Abhishek Kapoor promises a true-blue band film, but ultimately delivers a masala Hindi film that just happens to be about a band. Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny star as once-aspiring musicians who chucked up their dream of taking their band professional. But a chance reunion ten years later inspires them to consider returning for one last gig.

The film's basic plot stays faithful to the blueprint of your standard coming-of-age film, but the screenplay of Rock On is bursting at its seams with so many clichés that fifteen minutes in you can predict pretty much everything that's going to happen then on.

Despite terrific cinematography and some very enjoyable music, Rock On has few surprises because the writers stick to the safety of tried-and-tested formula instead of pushing the envelope. As a result the film moves at a snail-like pace, dragging on instead of picking up steam when the story moves towards its climax.

Yet, Rock On is rescued by some marvelous moments that stay with you until the end. Like that hilarious scene in which the band must perform an old Nadeem-Shravan hit at a dandiya event to raise cash for new equipment. Or the one in which Purab's character blows a prospective 'moment' with Koel Purie when he doesn't know how to return a compliment.

There are many things to like about this film. Its little moments reveal so much. Like how the band's 'home-made' music and lyrics are instantly put into perspective in that telling scene in which Arjun knocks down a glass of tea and Farhan instantly makes up a song about it. How can anyone criticize the amateurish lyrics of their songs after they've shown you exactly what inspires them to come up with their lines?

Or then that scene in which Prachi, the rich-wife of an investment banker, is spoilt for choice when in the comfort of her living room a designer displays an array of outfits for her. It seems like such a mundane scene, unnecessary even, but it says so much about Prachi's character and instantly illustrates why she really does have nothing better to do than go through her husband's things, arrange surprise parties for him, organize reunions between his friends and serve them a hearty lunch after a jamming session.