Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi

Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi -- Bittersweet *

MAIN CAST:
Kajol -- Tina/Sweety
Sunil Shetty -- Samir
Rishi Kapoor -- Raj
Rati Agnihotri -- Archana

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
Take the classic The Parent Trap and throw in tons of crazy twists, silly songs, and waaaay over-the-top melodrama, and you've got Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi.

FILM -- .5/1
Where do I start? This is a movie so cliche, so melodramatic, so plain insane that I can hardly begin to describe it. The storyline of two twins with opposite personalities, separated at birth, is a classic Bollywood backdrop for ludicrous stories, but Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi takes it to a new level. While I have to admit that I honestly love 2/3 of this film BECAUSE it's so crazy, I also have to point out that the whole "greedy stepsister" approach is too twisted, unbelievable, and off the wall for even my tastes. The costumes are absolutely horrible, and the choreography isn't much better, although there are a few moments where Kajol manages to look cute when she dances around. The technology used to superimpose one Kajol next to another is visibly prehistoric. At its best, this film is so bad it's good (hence, my secret love for it), but at it's worst, it's one of the most ridiculous masala films I've ever seen...and that's saying a lot.

CHARACTERS -- 1/5
The one saving grace in this film may be Kajol. Yes, her characters are poorly written, as are most "we're twins who are nothing alike!" characters, but she herself is beautiful and charming. Really, she just lights up the screen. Sunil Shetty is, in my opinion, way too gruff and goonish to play a romantic interest, and he really should stick to playing the villain or the stern anti-hero. His chemistry with Kajol is pretty much nil. Still, movies like this remind me that Sunil Shetty isn't a bad-looking guy. I have to give props to Rati Agnihotri for being so beautiful, even if her character is a doormat who subscribes to the "parents should stay together for the sake of their children" school of thought with minimal persuading, and also some kudos to Rishi Kapoor for being...well, Rishi Kapoor, even if HIS character is a rather lame attempt at depicting the effects of alcohol abuse. The supporting cast is basically garbage, although I do kind of get a kick out of Mita Vasisht's crazy stepsister routine.

SOUNDTRACK -- 3/5
Guys, I have a secret: I actually love a couple of the songs off of this soundtrack. Yes, they're all corny, but some of them are also pretty darn catchy. The title song, for example, is bouncy and fun to dance to, although I'd never dance to it in front of another person. Kajol beats up potential in-laws during the seriously fun "Khud Bhi Nachungi." "Tumko Sirf Tumko" and "Neend Ud Rahi Hai" are relatively bland, run-of-the-mill love ballads, although I'm willing to listen to them as background music. "Saamne Baith Kar" is actually kind of interesting, thanks in part to the classical instruments woven in to it. Also, I dance to the item number "Band Kamre Mein" when nobody is looking.

OVERALL -- 1.5/5
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi is just plain bad. You probably didn't need me to tell you that--a mere glimpse at the DVD cover is probably enough to give it away--but just in case you need more persuading, here's a recap of some of the craziness: Kajol rides in a tank, pouring food all over your relatives is apparently a good time, Viagra is not what you think it is, slapping your former wife is a great way to make her come running back in to your arms, and and Sunil Shetty is the love interest. Now, for those of you who haven't run away from this movie screaming yet, let me just say that I do, honestly, love a lot of this movie. What can I say? I dig 90s masala and utter insanity; it brightens my day. But if you're not like me and you're not willing to fastforward/sit through an hour's worth of obnoxious melodrama to get to the unbelievable weirdness that goes on for the other hour and a half of this film, then don't spare Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi a second glance.

TOTAL SCORE -- 6/20 (bad)



* Literally, "Some bitterness, some sweetness."