Mausam, meaning season in Hindi is not a story of one season but several seasons that span several years over several continents. Inordinately long, and frequently tangential, this is a story that could have been more than what it is: a very long movie. It could have been thoughtful without becoming tedious; it could have been striking without becoming pointless in parts; and it could have been memorable if it were not for the very predictability that it so doggedly tries to move away from.
Oh well, it could have been all that and a basket of laundry, but alas, it is only a mediocre telling of an age-old love story that germinates in a small village in Punjab, and has every obstacle thrown at it to prevent it from blooming– until at long last, the fates allow for a permanent union. Which is all fine and dandy, but it is the way in which the journey to that happy destination takes such a long and winding road– much of it in the most formulaic fashion– that one wishes to just hurry up and get it over with!
The highlight of the movie is the cinematography: pristine landscapes in lush Punjab capture the essence of village-life in the breadbasket of the northern plains of India, and later on, the Scottish highlands and Swiss Alps look positively breathtaking as our hero and heroine whiz past the continent on the Euro-Rail. The downside to the movie– other than the few things noted already– is the newcomer Sonam Kapoor in her debutante role. Perhaps she is too young, or perhaps she was miscast into this role, but there is absolutely no chemistry between herself and Shahid Kapoor (no relation to each other). Speaking of whom, Mr. Kapoor looked extremely suave and owned the Indian Air Force fighter pilot uniform that he donned for the better part of the movie.
The bottom line is that this could be viewed as a “time-pass” if you have the time to spare. Otherwise, you might feel just a bit disappointed at the end of the three-plus hours you will have invested into it!
Alfred Smith 12/30/1873 – 10/4/1944 American politician and four-time governor of New York State.
