Now this is something hits unexpectedly. Johnny Gaddar quite thoughtfully titled like 70's hard-boiled thriller spins a devious plot and pulls off a fantastic thriller. This is one of those relentless movies just refuses to slow down. Having said that is a complement in itself. Bollywood always has flavor for romance and comedy but thriller is still not first class citizen here. In old days B R Chopra gave us real good mysteries and thrillers, in our time Abbas-Mastaan used to deliver but they have lost their way terribly these days. Writer-Director Raghvan's last venture was brilliant Ek Haseena Thi with Saif's snaky performance- his best till date. With Johnny Gaddar he exercised in the same genre and maturating it more and more. He penned a clever on-the-edge thriller and then got in director's chair doing a through job.
Plot is a classic crime setup. Five regular partners going for a deal splitting profit five ways as usual. It is fine until one of guys (of course Apana hero Neil) wants all and elope with his mistress(Rimi Sen). But of course plan will not be executed without flaws and none of the member of the crew is a rookie or push-over. Then onwards film is a gripping tale with twists and turns. It pays-off and it is also not timid to avoid contemporary cliché conclusion.
Film doesn't have A-list stars to draw attention but has actors doing their job nifty making this kind delight. Star of the show is Neil Mukesh. This is a very bold, confident feature debut for the talented actor, certainly Lambi Race Ka Ghoda for the industry. Film offers some real good scenes. I really liked the scene when a cop sitting beside the rat in the gang suggests changing the topic and talk about his favorite actor extracting a virtual confession out. And there is another scene shows glimpse of gray in human carnival when one character held on gun-point and asked about how others solve the mystery earlier and met their demise. He bleeding, about to die, smiles wicked; refuses to answer saying that will puzzle and torment him rest of the life.
Film got a vintage treatment and several references are made to some classics. One of things I admired most here, hero is not sly or wicked but the script is. There seems so many innocent thread suspended loosely initially to pay attention but double backs in as crucial smart clues later. Altogether film is a darn dandy pleasure. Full entertainment all over. Strong Thumps up JohnnyO!!
