Atn
The movie is on the lines of "Before Sunset/Sunrise" or "When Harry met Sally" but concept wise it's a better adaptation (or "motivated movie") then the earlier ones in the line like "Hum Tum" and "Mausam". The movie stars Aditi Rao and Ali Zafar in the lead role, a refreshing and clever choice. Both leads have played out their part perfectly. The highlight of the movie is light-hearted and some what witty conversation between the two in the first half(which is somewhat inspired by "Before..." series mentioned earlier). On the contrary, the second half of movie is a bit of downer with typical melodrama of bollywood movies and a typical ending.
BollyMoviesFan
After hearing the constant hype about the similarities between when Harry Met Sally, and Hum Tum, I was almost going to overlook this movie, however I am glad I didn't. This movie clearly outshines many other bollywood rom-coms (and undoubtedly hum-tum) I have seen.The story is of two strangers, who develop an instant connection and relate to each other initially on the common grounds of their new found independence from their parents (his parents are overly protective of him, she has lived her life only living up to her parents' expectations). They are clearly attracted to each other within moments of their first meeting, however the pragmatic Lalita feels they shouldn't pursue anything as she doesn't think long distance relationships work well. Their chemistry, and interactions are explored again when they reconnect in Paris and New York years later.Kudos to first time director Anu Menon, for capturing the angst of the Lalita and Nikhil so well. Noteworthy mentions especially go to the very intense scenes of Paris, from the moment when they first reconnect to when they part again. You see Lalita detest the very sight of Nikhil at first, eventually letting her guard down again as they spend the day together, and even lending him support when she sees that he is vulnerable and feeling dismayed from his experience in film school, only to shut him out again after watching his movie that has brought back some unpleasant memories and feelings in her that made her detest him before. The angst of this woman who suddenly goes from feeling the highs of being madly in love to the bitter and vengeful side of the woman when she feels dejected and heart broken is very well relayed. Equally note worthy is also the New York Scene, where Nikhil goes on to express his angst, relaying how despite his many attempts, he never got a fair shot from her, feeling cheated by the fact that despite them forming an amazing connection and reconnecting so well every time and the fact that her actions gave him the impression that they have a shot back together, she has no intention of carrying through with it. His crackling voice in his rant again displays his moment of vulnerability and his heart break. We see Nikhil transition from a playful, bindaass, goofy guy, who has had it easy all his life to a persevering romantic and we see Lalita transition from the hopeful who believes she can change the world, the pragmatic girl who avoids indulging in moments to a girl who learns to shed her inhibitions and go with the flow.I don't know if the movie could have worked without the lead pair of Ali and Aditi - they have done an outstanding job and breath life into Nikhil and Lalita. Not only are they a fresh pairing, their chemistry is amazing and you walk out of the movie thinking about Nikhil and Lalita rather than Ali and Aditi. Their delivery is great, no overly drawn melodrama or "rona dhona". Despite there being less than five minutes screen time of the supporting cast collectively in the whole movie, the two have managed to carry the the entire movie by them selves very well - they captivate your attention from the beginning to your end, without any dull moments in between. Ali is very expressive with his eyes (e.g. watch his eyes expression when he sings "philosophy ka craze hai", or his eyes burdened with remorse in Paris when they are eating breakfast on the balcony). The story and screenplay feels believable, real and does not try to be pretentious - and both Ali and Aditi do justice to their parts. The dialog works for this movie, has many witty and funny lines (e.g. Lalitapedia), and again feels very believable and real. My only complaint was Lalita's constant use of "shit" and "shut up"- it seemed a little annoying after a while. The music is fresh, very catchy and goes with the flow of the movie - it does a great job of carrying the story forward and does not feel out of place.Overall this is a very enjoyable romantic movie, especially when compare it with recent youth oriented type film such as Ek Main aur Ekk Tu that had mostly caricatured characters.
Sanjay Datta
who the stupid made this movie, she should be barred from making movies, don't watch the stupidest movie ever, waste of money and time.Hot on the heels of "Ek Deewana Tha" and "Ek Main AurEkkTu", both romantic dramas aiming at urban audience, "London Paris New York" has Ali Zafaras Nikhil Chopra, who when we first meet him, aspires to be a filmmaker.At London airport, he meets-cute Lalitha Krishnan (Aditi Rao Hydari), a young woman with an amateurish outlook on feminism and politics – and whose maturity never levels up in the film's passage of time.In their first meeting, highlighted by two very long steadicam-takes, one notices a spark gradually, and innocently, developing between Nikhil and Lalitha.She has missed her connecting flight to New York and Nikhil, on his first day of un-parented "freedom", suggests they spend her remaining time adventuring through London. So like backpackers, they ride up the city, get soaked in the rain and have a few glasses of wine.A few years later, in 2007, they do this exercise again in Paris. Nikhil now sports a goatee and Lalitha has chopped her hair. The two also have a brewing conflict about infidelity, the reason for which I found lacking. They, of course, separate — again.Finally years later, today, Nikhil, now a filmmaker, tracks down Lalitha and they spend another night in New York oblivious to the severity of their differences. If anything, fracases are painlessly, contended in this story.Yes, "London Paris New York" is a variation of "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset", with three episodes packed into little more than 90 minutes. However, there's a transparent dissimilarity between the two. Even with a short running time, this film's screenplay (also credited to Anu Menon), forgets to add any spontaneity to its plot.The London bit starts out welcomingly fresh, where both characters are guided by their youthful convictions. When they do grow up, two years later, their lives are a train-wreck of misguided adulthood. By the time New York happens, we see the film pacing itself for a climax, and little else.Despite Ali Zafar's alluring on-screen personality, and his monotonous-sounding voice with the slight Punjabi-drawl, we never build a connection with Nikhil. Lalitha, sheepish and misguided by the pragmatism of her nature, is even more departed to our emotions."London Paris New York" has seven tracks on its album, with Music and Lyrics predictably by Ali Zafar. The soundtrack is a snug fit within the overall structure of the film. They, almost never, interrupt the flow of the story.With his third major Bollywood feature, I can safely assume that Ali Zafar is now a bona fide Bollywood commodity. There's obvious, untapped, star-power here and this raw resource puts him right up there with the best of Bollywood's next generation.Like "Tere Bin Laden" – the finest work in his current resume – one can spot the work he's molded into his character. Ali Zafar has a definite Pakistani naturalness to his performance. Despite our shared heritage, there's a vivid contrast between our body languages, and this gradient uniquely deviates him from what we expect of Bollywood leads.
