Jholay --Guilty Pleasure
Posted 02-22-2014 at 06:54 PM by nepal2014
Jholay’ knows its audience. Although promoted as a dark comedy, the film is strictly slapstick and relies heavily on laughs through smash-ups, mishaps, comical chase sequences and excessive physical comedy. So putting all the nuances astray, Dipendra K Khanal holds the film with old-school humor and fresh jokes that save the film from being a wannabe.
The ‘jholay’ in question is Harke (Dayahang Rai). In the film’s very imaginative opening sequence, he describes himself as a vagrant who will protest for any political party that’s willing to pay him. He kills time by playing cards all day long and daydreams of going to the middle-east to earn a good living.
So, his plan to become a foreign worker lands him in Kathmandu, but in the usual manner, he gets duped by the company that assured to take him to his promised land. With interior monologues, Harke analyzes his stiff situation with witticism and Dayahang Rai, who has been mostly typecast in humorous roles post ‘Loot’, entertains expectantly. He has a natural ability to churn laughs – even with his pauses and silences. After the bothersome performances in ‘Loafer’ and ‘Karkash’, here he doesn’t overplay his part.
The other two main characters of the movie are a chewing gum popping call girl, played by Priyanka Karki, and a small time crook (A Gurung) who goes by the name of Bhangeri Don. All of the three people get themselves tangled in a scam that dumps them into confusing circumstances and misunderstandings. They shout, argue and shamelessly insult each other. And beneath these uncertainties and lighter moments, the plot continues to move and expand.
There’s a genuine sincerity in Karki’s performance and despite few slips, she hones a perfect delivery for her chatty and outspoken character. Gurung’s Bhangeri Don sways with clumsiness and is continuously goofed for maximum effect. He holds a gun but has left the bullets at home. The later scenes involving him, exploits his quirky antics excessively and feel overdone.
However, in the first half, the writing squanders in favor of pointless jokes and catchphrases. In terms of content, the story might feel less meaty, but the actors’ comical presence pulsate the entertainment value in a tolerable and audience-friendly way. The comedy is mixed in local texture and is packed with smartly laced double entendres.
‘Jholay’ is raunchy and loud, but funny. It’s a guilty pleasure made with such light-heartedness that you can give it a go.
The ‘jholay’ in question is Harke (Dayahang Rai). In the film’s very imaginative opening sequence, he describes himself as a vagrant who will protest for any political party that’s willing to pay him. He kills time by playing cards all day long and daydreams of going to the middle-east to earn a good living.
So, his plan to become a foreign worker lands him in Kathmandu, but in the usual manner, he gets duped by the company that assured to take him to his promised land. With interior monologues, Harke analyzes his stiff situation with witticism and Dayahang Rai, who has been mostly typecast in humorous roles post ‘Loot’, entertains expectantly. He has a natural ability to churn laughs – even with his pauses and silences. After the bothersome performances in ‘Loafer’ and ‘Karkash’, here he doesn’t overplay his part.
The other two main characters of the movie are a chewing gum popping call girl, played by Priyanka Karki, and a small time crook (A Gurung) who goes by the name of Bhangeri Don. All of the three people get themselves tangled in a scam that dumps them into confusing circumstances and misunderstandings. They shout, argue and shamelessly insult each other. And beneath these uncertainties and lighter moments, the plot continues to move and expand.
There’s a genuine sincerity in Karki’s performance and despite few slips, she hones a perfect delivery for her chatty and outspoken character. Gurung’s Bhangeri Don sways with clumsiness and is continuously goofed for maximum effect. He holds a gun but has left the bullets at home. The later scenes involving him, exploits his quirky antics excessively and feel overdone.
However, in the first half, the writing squanders in favor of pointless jokes and catchphrases. In terms of content, the story might feel less meaty, but the actors’ comical presence pulsate the entertainment value in a tolerable and audience-friendly way. The comedy is mixed in local texture and is packed with smartly laced double entendres.
‘Jholay’ is raunchy and loud, but funny. It’s a guilty pleasure made with such light-heartedness that you can give it a go.
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