Subhash Kapoor is a man who knows how to make people laugh through his well-written filmy sequences and then make them remember those sequences so that they can think about it later and laugh out loud for the nth time. Although this one here is generally perceived as a courtroom drama, there is still some wry humor etched in the corners.
Jolly (Akshay Kumar) is an aspiring young lawyer who practices law without any scruples. Married with a small kid, he currently works as a submissive assistant to one of the most high-profile advocates in Lucknow. He hopes to own a chamber of his own one day, and one of his quick yet dastardly attempts at taking the short-cut forces him to reflect on ethics and other canons of professionalism that is otherwise at no display in his profession both customarily and personally. So starts a fast-paced drama inside and outside of the court as Jolly tries to solve his first full case and absolve his sins.
For people who have watched the prequel (Jolly LLB (2013)), there is no need for an introduction here, and even if you skip this review, you can still gleefully book a ticket and go for the next available show. You will not complain about the level of entertainment quotient as it is almost as high as it was back when Arshad Warsi was wearing the black robe. The only big difference here is that Kapoor has made it vividly more relevant if we consider the chaotic status quo of the political and judicial circues in the country. The setup is similar to what we saw four years ago - an up-and-coming lawyer looking for a breakthrough, a side family from the poor class looking for justice, corrupt policemen and babus, (coincidentally) an idiosyncratic judge, and good old courtroom drama. While the prequel dealt with an accident case involving murder, this one here talks about fake encounter.
It is evident that Kapoor has borrowed some points from Chaitanya Tamhane's 2014 path-breaker and Academy Award hopeful, Court, but this one is not as raw as the one which was arguably the best Hindi film of 2015 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnpkJW7Gcn4 ). With use of wry humor, occasional slapstick, and non-feasible fiction dangling over the scenes, there is this intrinsic lack of seriousness in the whole two hours. It's like the characters did not want to irrigate even a tiny bit of propensity to pan their story as a serious courtroom drama where one or two essential messages are to be conveyed. Instead, the film ends with a preachy note that is as cringe-worthy as the lead man's make-believe lawyering. There are far too many improbable situations, but then there is a broad line between reality, what can be shown on film, and what is shown on film. If you are used to looking at your partner while watching such a situation (which would be impossible to think of IRL) in a film and then shrugging it off, then Jolly LLB 2 will be a much better experience.
Akshay Kumar looks good as Jolly, the helpless lawyer. His transition from being helpless to artful kinda gets muddled in the non- fastidious attempt to get everyone inside the court as fast as possible. If you are wondering, I would prefer Warsi anytime over Kumar despite the latter being a phenomenal actor who has proved his talent by donning diverse roles in his long career. Saurabh Shukla is a delight to watch, and it is around him that Kapoor etches those memorable sequences I was talking about. Along with brilliant performances by Annu Kapoor, Sayani Gupta, and Kumud Mishra, the film manages to hold on to its core theme throughout and does not disappoint, especially in the second half. Huma Qureshi could have been easily done away with, but let's discuss that broad topic sometime later.
Overall, this sequel is not as good as the original film, but still merits for a one-time watch considering we don't have many good films coming up these days.
BOTTOM LINE: Subhash Kapoor's Jolly LLB 2 is a brisk drama that tries to be - a courtroom drama, a comedy skit, and a fable - all at once just because it wants to make people believe that the justice system is still a trusted institution. It's good entertainment. Go for a weekday show where you get 50% discount on BookMyShow if you have certain cards or wallets.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
Jolly (Akshay Kumar) is an aspiring young lawyer who practices law without any scruples. Married with a small kid, he currently works as a submissive assistant to one of the most high-profile advocates in Lucknow. He hopes to own a chamber of his own one day, and one of his quick yet dastardly attempts at taking the short-cut forces him to reflect on ethics and other canons of professionalism that is otherwise at no display in his profession both customarily and personally. So starts a fast-paced drama inside and outside of the court as Jolly tries to solve his first full case and absolve his sins.
For people who have watched the prequel (Jolly LLB (2013)), there is no need for an introduction here, and even if you skip this review, you can still gleefully book a ticket and go for the next available show. You will not complain about the level of entertainment quotient as it is almost as high as it was back when Arshad Warsi was wearing the black robe. The only big difference here is that Kapoor has made it vividly more relevant if we consider the chaotic status quo of the political and judicial circues in the country. The setup is similar to what we saw four years ago - an up-and-coming lawyer looking for a breakthrough, a side family from the poor class looking for justice, corrupt policemen and babus, (coincidentally) an idiosyncratic judge, and good old courtroom drama. While the prequel dealt with an accident case involving murder, this one here talks about fake encounter.
It is evident that Kapoor has borrowed some points from Chaitanya Tamhane's 2014 path-breaker and Academy Award hopeful, Court, but this one is not as raw as the one which was arguably the best Hindi film of 2015 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnpkJW7Gcn4 ). With use of wry humor, occasional slapstick, and non-feasible fiction dangling over the scenes, there is this intrinsic lack of seriousness in the whole two hours. It's like the characters did not want to irrigate even a tiny bit of propensity to pan their story as a serious courtroom drama where one or two essential messages are to be conveyed. Instead, the film ends with a preachy note that is as cringe-worthy as the lead man's make-believe lawyering. There are far too many improbable situations, but then there is a broad line between reality, what can be shown on film, and what is shown on film. If you are used to looking at your partner while watching such a situation (which would be impossible to think of IRL) in a film and then shrugging it off, then Jolly LLB 2 will be a much better experience.
Akshay Kumar looks good as Jolly, the helpless lawyer. His transition from being helpless to artful kinda gets muddled in the non- fastidious attempt to get everyone inside the court as fast as possible. If you are wondering, I would prefer Warsi anytime over Kumar despite the latter being a phenomenal actor who has proved his talent by donning diverse roles in his long career. Saurabh Shukla is a delight to watch, and it is around him that Kapoor etches those memorable sequences I was talking about. Along with brilliant performances by Annu Kapoor, Sayani Gupta, and Kumud Mishra, the film manages to hold on to its core theme throughout and does not disappoint, especially in the second half. Huma Qureshi could have been easily done away with, but let's discuss that broad topic sometime later.
Overall, this sequel is not as good as the original film, but still merits for a one-time watch considering we don't have many good films coming up these days.
BOTTOM LINE: Subhash Kapoor's Jolly LLB 2 is a brisk drama that tries to be - a courtroom drama, a comedy skit, and a fable - all at once just because it wants to make people believe that the justice system is still a trusted institution. It's good entertainment. Go for a weekday show where you get 50% discount on BookMyShow if you have certain cards or wallets.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES