Movie Review: Aynabaji (আয়নাবাজি)
This was going to be a solid 5-star. Then the ending happened, which is too abrupt at best and too convenient at worst. But let's begin at the beginning, shall we?
If you live in the city, (or if you read the newspaper, or if you don't live in a cave, basically) you won't be surprised with the fact that if you do a crime here, you don't always have to do the time. Money and power, that's what you need, and you can go scot-free. Oh, there's one other thing you need, though. That's Mr. Aayna (Chonchol Chowdhury). Why do you need him? He is only a cook after all, he works in ships. He's simple and he's nice- he even has a drama school for the street children in the neighborhood. But is all really what it seems? Is Aayna really at the sea when he disappears every other month or so? Or is he somewhere else, like, in someone else's life? Is he taking their place, doing their things, being them?
Reporter Saber Something (forgot the last name, played by Partho) is having a bad day, on the other hand. His divorce is final, his news is non-existent since people are shutting their doors on his face, and when he does get a scoop, boss won't hear of it. So he drinks, and his manservant/self-appointed guardian (Jamil from Meerakkel) is literally the only one who cares about him. But a reporter's gotta report, and following Aayna around is bound to give him some proof, right? But it's not as easy as it sounds. Aayna plays his game, and better.
But hey, there's a new babe in the block, so let's focus on that for a sec. Hridi (Nabila) isn't your typical girl-next-door. I mean, she is, but if you are a single bachelor in living in the neighborhood, she'll flirt with you over vegetable carts, bring you cake for no reason and plan a trip to Sylhet with you in a heartbeat even though she knows practically nothing about you. Girlfriend is either really gullible or really stupid. But what she does in the move is raise the stakes- which way would Aayna go? Love and acceptance? Or the biggest gig of his life that's also the biggest risk he'll ever take? Does he really have a choice?
The movie has a fantastic premise, and it works because of its magnificent actor. Chonchol Chowdhury carries this move and he will easily have you in awe. You'll clap at his skills, hoot at his sass and lol at his quips. He is a sympathetic protagonist too. His work is shady and so are his motives- why is he doing this? Money? Escape from his own miserable life? The rush of the game, the playing of a new character? Would you care? Because I think not, and I think in the end you will root for him, as did I and a houseful of people at the first-day-first-show today.
All the other actors were good too. Except Partho wasn't really given a lot to do and Nabila sometimes sounds a little fake. Acting, overall, isn't the problem in the movie. The balance between serious and fun is also perfect.
What is the problem, then? It's the last half-an-hour.
See, the movie isn't very fast paced, and I should warn you right now that if you're looking for masala, you won't find any here. Even the ass-first intro of a girl (it was in the trailer) doesn't result in an item song. The songs play no part in the narrative, all of them are in the background pretty much. And none of that is a problem. A movie can take its time to get going and still keep you hooked. The problem is when you lose the urgency.
The movie is almost over. The net is closing in on Aayna. Can he get out of the mess he's in? Can anyone help him? Can he help himself? Will he listen to reason? You want to find out, but all you're getting is unnecessary scenes with Nabila which is taking up time which could be used to flesh out Aayna's final chapter. And them the climax happens and it's too convenient, too sudden- you might even feel it to be improbable. It's not, really, but it feels that way because it came out of nowhere. I can't stop thinking how much better, cooler, tighter it could be if it were done more slowly, more gradually. You'll be happy it ended that way, but you will also be thinking, 'That was too easy.'
Also, there was some choppy editing in the second half where you can't tell how many days have passed between events.
Aaynabaji is strong enough. It is well-acted, well-directed, well-shot and well-written, except for the climax, maybe. But that's really not reason enough not to watch it. With the kind of movies Dhallywood churns out every year- including movies that try to set themselves apart but falls flat (*coughPodmoPatayJolGangsterReturnsOstitto*cough), this is gold. So be classy and go support a good movie so we can get more of these and less of violence filled bullshit.
4 .25 out of 5 stars.
P.S. There are three cameos. One will make girls happy.
