What has James got that other Hindi films don't? The ugliest, most horrifying looking villains who make Sholay's Sambha and Kaalia seem like Mr Universe contenders. So, how long can you keep staring at these hideous faces, hear them bark and growl like animals and see them slash and kill as though it's as normal as brushing your teeth? But James just goes on and on. The single-note plot or the apology of a story, whatever you may call it, is about a young man, James (Ahlawat), who comes to Mumbai, falls in love with a model (Kothari) and gets on the wrong side of city goons. All that follows is revenge and retribution—ceaseless violence and barbarism. The film is nothing more than an extended action sequence, a series of almost identical bloody encounters. The gore and violence is gratuitous and plain pointless. Which is where Jugraj goes hopelessly wrong. We may celebrate this "staccato" approach to violence but we also know that no action film can work with action alone. Be it the Guddu Dhanoas and Anil Sharmas or action heroes like Sunny Deol, Big B or even Arnie, and Van Damme, their pounding and plundering has to be backed by either a compelling story, interesting characters, fair amount of emotions or even biting irony and humour as in Tarantino's cinema. James has none of it. I can try and sound very intelligent and tell you that the film's theme is about the brutalisation of the individual in the urban jungle. But these are mere words because no angst or trauma ever gets communicated to the viewer. Ultimately, a film has to connect. James remains an overly repulsive film which serves action at its most unpalatable.
For novelty value, there's the new dude Ahlawat. His intro scene in the train compartment works but he ceases to grow from there. All he can manage is stare into the camera, brood and behave like a robot. No wonder his charm wears off midway into the film. Then there's the new eye-candy, Nisha Kothari, whose dance numbers seem like a left-over of Urmila's Rangeela dances. All that stands out about her are the overly-glossed lips, peeking underwear and jackets cut strategically below the breasts. James should be watched only for its academic value, to study how wrong Ram Gopal Varma can go with cinema. Without doubt it's the worst product from The Factory ever. It made me furious.
INDIAN Top 5
1. Salaam Namaste
2. No Entry
3. Chocolate
4. James
5. Iqbal
US Top 5
1. Just Like Heaven
2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
3. Lord of War
4. The 40 Year Old Virgin
5. Cry Wolf
Courtesy: Film Information
