Madras Cafe's only winning point is its excellent screenplay. Though the film is based on Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, but if the writers did not have access to too much intelligence information, then they have done an outstanding job conjuring up the script.
What fails for the film, primarily, are Shoojit Sircar's direction and Kamaljeet Negi's cinematography. Sircar's direction is at best - average. He is incapable of extracting good performances from his actors. His storytelling and treatment lack lucidity. The cinematography in the first half of the film is very jerky and 'random'; with excessive use of track trolley in scenes shot inside the bureau.
The film's pace has been kept so fast that it's hard to keep up with the overflow of information. The on screen subtitles and supers seem to be put in as a mere formality. The film also has several anachronisms - most of them being John Abraham's costumes; others in sets and props.
Although the film is a surrogate retelling of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination plot, not once does it mention his name. In fact, that particular character doesn't even have a name in the film. This is a major let down.
Thankfully, the second half has been shot much better and the film ends very organically - again a victory only for the writers. This film is definitely a one-time watch, although for me, it is definitely not a landmark film in Indian cinema.
What fails for the film, primarily, are Shoojit Sircar's direction and Kamaljeet Negi's cinematography. Sircar's direction is at best - average. He is incapable of extracting good performances from his actors. His storytelling and treatment lack lucidity. The cinematography in the first half of the film is very jerky and 'random'; with excessive use of track trolley in scenes shot inside the bureau.
The film's pace has been kept so fast that it's hard to keep up with the overflow of information. The on screen subtitles and supers seem to be put in as a mere formality. The film also has several anachronisms - most of them being John Abraham's costumes; others in sets and props.
Although the film is a surrogate retelling of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination plot, not once does it mention his name. In fact, that particular character doesn't even have a name in the film. This is a major let down.
Thankfully, the second half has been shot much better and the film ends very organically - again a victory only for the writers. This film is definitely a one-time watch, although for me, it is definitely not a landmark film in Indian cinema.