This drama cum documentary by Jamil Dehalvi is quite a concoction of E! True Hollywood Story and a 5th Grade Pakistan history lesson which probably only makes sense to those who already believe in the message. The movie has a bazaar theme that Jinnah after his death journeys in time with an angel to review events in his life as well as other's lives. It tries to 'set the record straight' of the events that transpired the creation of Pakistan. Mr. Dehalvi really should have tried to make a documentary instead of using the self-defeating so grossly fictitious approach. The story spends more time portraying the 'juicy' part of Jinnah life, his quarrel with his father-in-law over his marriage to his daughter, his breaking down into tears over the death of his wife and his opposition to his daughter marrying a man outside her faith, rather than building a cohesive portrait of a man who wielded considerable respect and fought bitterly for his vision. Most political events presented in the movie have a bare bone narrative, lack any context and do not help build the overall story. Most of the sequences in the film are bits and pieces taken from historical accounts and run before the audience without much connectivity, simply put this film can be seen in any order and the story line would not be impacted in the least bit.
As for the historical accuracy, suffice it to say that the movie does not have any qualms about rewriting history and blatant mudslinging. The movie is obsessed with Jawaharlal Nehru's affair with Mountbatten's wife and literally accuses and convicts Mountbatten of conniving with them and serving their wishes on a silver platter. It presents only the best of Jinnah, the worst of Gandhi and Nehru and is probably grossly simplistic if not out right inaccurate about many events presented such as the accession of Kashmir. The lowest and most hypocritical point of the film comes when the film time travels into the future and in a "I told you so" moment Jinnah summarily justifies creation of Pakistan by using Babri Mosque incident. Mr. Dehalvi should know better that what has happened in Pakistan since its inception is also what Gandhi, Nehru and various British officials forewarned about and thought exactly why Pakistan should not be created.
From acting point of view, Richard Lintern portrays young Jinnah vibrantly well but Christopher Lee some how does not seem to get out of his Dracula shell and much of the portrayal of older Jinnah is dull, monotonous and zombie-like.
One item well below the horizon and was done very well was the symphonic version of Pakistani anthem done by Nigel Clarke and Michael Csanyi-Wills which is one of a kind I have heard.
As for the historical accuracy, suffice it to say that the movie does not have any qualms about rewriting history and blatant mudslinging. The movie is obsessed with Jawaharlal Nehru's affair with Mountbatten's wife and literally accuses and convicts Mountbatten of conniving with them and serving their wishes on a silver platter. It presents only the best of Jinnah, the worst of Gandhi and Nehru and is probably grossly simplistic if not out right inaccurate about many events presented such as the accession of Kashmir. The lowest and most hypocritical point of the film comes when the film time travels into the future and in a "I told you so" moment Jinnah summarily justifies creation of Pakistan by using Babri Mosque incident. Mr. Dehalvi should know better that what has happened in Pakistan since its inception is also what Gandhi, Nehru and various British officials forewarned about and thought exactly why Pakistan should not be created.
From acting point of view, Richard Lintern portrays young Jinnah vibrantly well but Christopher Lee some how does not seem to get out of his Dracula shell and much of the portrayal of older Jinnah is dull, monotonous and zombie-like.
One item well below the horizon and was done very well was the symphonic version of Pakistani anthem done by Nigel Clarke and Michael Csanyi-Wills which is one of a kind I have heard.