Reviews by:
@cine.bifrproductions
RATE THIS MOVIE
6
5
4
3
Screenplay- 6/10
Direction- 6/10
Plot- 8.5/10
Technical- 7/10
Sound- 6.5/10
Themes- 6/10
Chills quotient- 5.5/10
Genre excellence- 8/10
Structure and pacing- 6.5/10
Entertainment- 8.5/10
A.Q- 4/10
Here it is finally. The review of one of the most iconic films of all time. Well… iconic as in, gossip related. Yes, the film which “allegedly” sparked what we later knew as “Brangelina” and led to the end of Brad & Jennifer Aniston’s relationship. I gotta say this bit of celebrity drama is really interesting and entertaining to me. Let’s get into it.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith appears to begin with a storey of an unhappy married couple who fool each other as undercover agents eventually sent to kill each other. Or, more seriously, this is the premise, a set-up for what should be a greater tale in the future. When I first heard this, I thought it sounded amusing, and it was. It has the ability to captivate people with its fascinating set-up and fast-paced style right from the therapy sessions. It kicks you into high gear, and gives you the impression you’re in for a thrilling journey.
But this is only so good for about the first half. After about an hour into Mr. & Mrs. Smith, there was no story I could logistically follow, or at least have an interest in following. It’s just a dramatic action sequential mess. Even the actors never seem like they’re taking it farther than that. It is a thriller of the most’masala’ dimensions, but with actors who have brought much to other roles, I expected a lot more. At two hours, this is an overlong film with lots of meandering and repetitive bits. The ending’s also a cop out, with a pretty anti-climactic shootout at the supermarket.
Looking at the two of them, however, I really got the impression they were having some great fun together, and that’s a testament to the great chemistry between the two actors. Their repartee was constructed and executed really well, as was their little marital spat, which was handled quite creatively. Vince Vaughn was surprisingly good in his small comedic role.
It does have a little too much action for my taste, which I usually feel is pretty unnecessary, and the case is no different here. In fact, the violence is positively erotic at times, which blends well with the striking sensual presence of the two leads. I don’t know if either star ever looked better on screen. I mean, just look at Angelina Jolie. And just look at Brad Pitt. Need I say more?
So yeah, these two scrub up well together, but the cinematography is such that it appears they’re vainly posing for the whole running time. It’s a little too much of the ‘glorifying the hero’ type, where the aim of various shots is simply to show the actors at their most stunning look, most likely to increase the star-power quotient of the film. After a while, this gets mundane, and frankly, a bit annoying.
The plot is, of course, ridiculous, over-the-top, and stupid, but one perhaps has to suspend their disbelief to appreciate it for what it is: a fun flick. Basically, in order to enjoy it, you must let go of preconceptions such as expecting the film to make sense. It can’t because, first and foremost, the premise is absurd. Second, in order to keep the actors alive throughout the film, the writer had to make the plot’s progression even more absurd. This may be a great experience if you make the decision to simply be entertained.
There are some funny bits and some impressive action sequences. but your brain is in neutral, it is worth watching. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and the action is fairly intense without any gore or real unpleasantness. The final shoot out manages to be action-packed and hilarious, which generally draws a favourably large audience.
You can always find plot holes and in this case, you’ll fall into the first one and never get out. But it’s a comedy. Even if it is not the best job as far as sheer comedy is concerned, It falters in the fact that it doesn’t have much else apart from a few good action scenes and some occasionally good comedy. Comedies are sometimes absurd but still funny, and special effects films are sometimes absurd but still exciting. Just take “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” on its own silly merits and enjoy yourself.
RATE THIS REVIEW
6
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