John Day Review

One Line Review: A blood-filled potboiler that downfalls to create a web of intruguing mystery, which was the ultimate intent of the flick.

Positive Points: Superior direction, Mind-boggling character performances.

Negative Points: Excessive sprinkle of abusive lingo, Extravagant fare of acidic voilence, Abdicable adult content.

Plot: The curtain lifts with a teenage girl's shocking death. Post this tragic incident, the tale takes us to the scene opening after two years of the girl's death. The story then spotlights on John Day (Naseeruddin Shah), who works as a bank manager and is the father of the teenage girl that had lost her life. Though John experiences emotional scars on his mind due to his beloved daughter's shocking death, he also lends a mental support to his traumatised wife, Maria (Shernaz Patel). A sudden dicey attack on Maria makes her a comatose, shattering John at a great level. Unable to cope up with tremendous mental pressure, the situation compels John to seek the revenge of all the people involved in his daughter's death. A robbery happened in his own bank makes him notice the file that can prove a strong thread to catch all the culprits of his daughter's killing.

On the other hand, a deceitful and vicious former police officer called Gautam (Randeep Hooda) works for a mafia. Gautam is also in the strong pursuit of the same file, which clutches a valuable significance for John Day. Now, the content of the file forms the further flow of the entire movie.

Direction And Other Technical Aspects: Director Ahishor Solomon has proved his excellence in the art form through 'John Day'. The film initially based on illogical traits, stills breaths life through its direction. Whether the message proper or improper, Ahishor has made it clear to reach out clearly to the viewers.

Though the screenplay being loose and a weak script to the attachment, it is mainly the directorial part that keeps you glued to watch the overall drama. As the characters essayed are strong on their forte, the excess use of foul language proves unbearable, discomforting the audiences. And to top it all, the display of over loaded violence brings a shiver on to your skin. Thus the overall combo of violence plus word abuse makes the movie a drenched floor to walk upon.

Considering the promotions and assurance from the film unit, 'John Day' turns out to be a zipping turmoil tornado at the end. It neither depicts thriller nor action on a full fledged basis. The loud background score serves as the icing of the cake, better to be avoided.

Overall the only thing that would peace up your mind on investing your valuables on the movie is the flawless act of direction by Solomon and acting from the veterans Naseeruddin Shah and Randeep Hooda.

Performance: Naseeruddin Shah delivers a spectacular performance of an ordinary man, in grief after his daughter's fatal death, followed by getting trapped in conspiracy. Right from his looks to the dialogue delivery, the actor has played his part with utmost perfection. His facial expressions were enough to convey the emotions. While, Randeep's character of a corrupt cop, required him to be brutal, constantly uttering slang language. He fits well in the role, while portraying the rugged personality.

Shernaz Patel does justice to her role, by appearing totally sunk into the grief. Sharat Saxena as villainous Khan, looks fearsome. Elena Kazan looks sensuous, but doesn't make much impact with her performance on-screen. Makarand Deshpande, Bharat Dabholkar and Deepak Shirke are fine on their part.

Music: 'John Day' set out to be based on thriller concept, doesn't have songs tuning into it. Although, the movie comprised of too much loud background score, making it thriller cum-horror film.

Final Verdict: Although the ketchupy thrilling red-blooded trailer assured high promises, the movie fails to keep its word in all contexts sans direction. The movie does not qualifies itself well-enough to be a perfect thriller or an action-saga or a wholesome entertainer. In a nutshell, a one-time watch for power-packed character performances by Naseeruddin Shah and Randeep Hooda.