DAVID is a boring ocular delight!The film impresses with its technical finesse and some gorgeous camerawork, but with an irksome screenplay that makes very little sense most of the time, it’s a terribly tedious watch.
David is the tale of three men from different parts of the world, timed in three different eras. While in 1975 London, a 30-year-old David is the protégé of a mafia don, his namesake in 1999 Mumbai is a musician and the third David stays in contemporary Goa, and is 40! How these tales tie-up with each other and several others is what the film depicts.
Director Bejoy Nambiar, goes about his storytelling in a manner similar to his directorial debut “Shaitan”. Technically brilliant, visually enticing, and aided by some soothing compositions in the background, he depicts each scene with a subtlety that’s akin to a top quality art-house. He also manages to extract the best performances from all his characters. However, despite such refinement, he fails to bind the parts together. The content is weak and the narrative is wearisome. The developments are too plain to touch your hearts. The film simultaneously tells you three stories, which certainly have nothing in common except for the name of the protagonist, David. These are interwoven eventually in a very puerile manner, which, although is unpredictable, yet hugely underwhelming. Honestly, by the time the film reaches its climax, you’re just too tired to be affected by any of it.
The first story, set in 1975 London, starring Neil Nitin Mukesh as David is by far the most interesting of the three. The theme is dark and the gangster thrills are upheld consistently. The story set in 2010 Goa, is watchable only because of Vikram’s charming act. It has some stupid parts with humor that’s mostly juvenile. It’s the tale set in 1999 Mumbai, starring Vinay Virmani, that’s perhaps the peskiest of all, specifically due to its frail script and weak performances. The other big problem is the frequent switch from one story to the other, especially when you’re starting to get engaged in one. Among the positives, the music, which doubles up as background score, is terrific and the sets and frames are picture perfect.
The performances are of top quality. The best of them all is that of Vikram’s. The alcoholic middle aged David in Goa, played by him, is likeable despite some silly developments on screen. Neil Nitin Mukesh is really good, and consistently carries the attitude that’s just apt for his character. Vinay Virmani is way below par. His screen presence is clumsy and his dialogue delivery lacks maturity. Tabu is superb in a small appearance, and Lara Dutta is competent too. Isha Sharvani plays a deaf and mute girl, and plays her part well. Monica Dogra, playing the rebellious love interest of David in 1975 London is excellent. The rest of the support cast is great with their performances.
In all, it’s a deadening piece of art that’s visually fine but weak in content. Avoidable!
Rating: 2/5