Jolly LLB Movie Review

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Jolly LLB isn’t a great comedy but it’s a good film. The trailers give away all the good jokes so I’d suggest you avoid watching it and go watch the film instead. As the film progresses it leaves its comic origins and snowballs into a courtroom drama. Melodrama at places, which could be its unfortunate undoing as it could have been a stronger satire. Although it does stand as a strong one which has enough heart and laughs to be perfectly enjoyable.

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Star-Cast: Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao, Boman Irani

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Director: Subhash Kapoor

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Producer: Fox Star Studios

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Duration: 2 hrs 11 mins

They say each film is only as good as its villain. Boman Irani plays the crooked successful advocate Tejinder Rajpal, who isn’t the corny bald-headed villain with a catchphrase but equally effective and probably more sinister just because he could be a person we know. The fact that I wanted him defeated was enough for me to know that the film was doing something right. It is Irani's effortless ability to manifest malice with a straight face that sold me.

Subhash Kapoor made Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010) which was a funny film. The director has been signed to helm the third Munnabhai film. If Rajkumar Hirani doesn’t wish to make it, Kapoor is the next best thing (or at least next good thing). He seems like the right choice if the preachy elements could be toned down and the genuine comic timing toned up. This film is most definitely made in the vein of the Munnabhai MBBS series and it doesn’t just bear titular resemblance but has traces of its storytelling choices.

Glaring weakness lies in the film’s inclusion of songs. They have absolutely no business here. Remove them and the film automatically moves a notch higher. The background score is also unduly overblown.

Albeit, Subhash Kapoor’s dialogues turn out to be the mainstay of this benevolent project. He finds humor in the most unlikeliest of places. Aided by the talented cast, this film manages to shimmer just about enough to win you over. I could only wish it had that extra bit of polish, which could have made it truly shine. It has been a while since we have seen a good courtroom drama in India (Did someone say OMG! Oh My God?). This may not be a great one but it sure is a good one. Jolly LLB is certainly worth a watch.

Verdict: Jolly LLB is a good comedy/ courtroom drama
Ratings: 3.5/5