Not a Love Story (2011) Movie Review
On the whole, NOT A LOVE STORY shocks and stuns, which only goes to prove how impactful the film is. But, most importantly, it reiterates the age-old adage, anger is short-lived madness and how things can change for worse at the spur of the moment. NOT A LOVE STORY leaves you shocked, stunned and aghast and at the same time, you feel sad for the lovers in the final sequence, when Mahie pours her heart out to Dobriyal. Though the film depicts a brutal crime, there's hardly any blood [except when the guy is murdered] or gore here.It must be said that NOT A LOVE STORY is amongst Ramgopal Varma's best works. An intense mindbender, NOT A LOVE STORY is a wonderful illustration of how the accurate approach to storytelling can levitate a film. Try not to miss this one!.. Ratings:1.5/5 Reviewer:Raja Sen Site: Rediff
This isn't a film where the director draws up different versions of the crime and steps back and lets us pick a side. This isn't a film that justifies, condemns or leaves room for debate, for ambiguity. Not A Love Story is a sadly simplistic project, one showing a version of the crime -- Varma's film would have us believe the court recently got it right -- without comment or craftsmanship.For a film like this, it is essential that the filmmaker have something he believes in, something to stand by, to emphasise, to question. Something to say. All Ramu seems to be saying is 'look at me,' and we've seen most of that before. This is a film made in bad taste..
Ratings:3/5 Reviewer:Saibal Chatterjee Site: NDTV
A dark, disturbing reconstruction of a senseless crime of passion that shook the nation three years ago, Not A Love Story sees director Ram Gopal Verma hitting the right buttons for a change. Obsession, passion, murder, crime, guilt, punishment – these are the key elements that constitute the crux of Not A Love Story. Varma cloaks his narrative in a grimy, grainy shell as a means to capturing the tale’s claustrophobic core. The lovers are anything but loveable characters. And this tale is a tragedy woven around the ugly face of love. Downbeat? Yes. But it’s engaging and watchable – if for nothing else, for the flashes of the RGV of yore...
Ratings:1.5/5 Reviewer:Komal Nahata Site: Koimoi
What’s Good: The fast pace of the film; the performances of the four main actors.What’s Bad: The loopholes in the screenplay; the open-ended climax which will not find universal favour; lack of hit music; too much tension in the drama.Verdict: Not A Love Story is an ordinary fare.Watch or Not?: Watch it for the artistes’ performances...
Ratings:2/5 Reviewer:Gaurav Malani Site: TimesOfIndia
Based on the 2008 Neeraj Grover murder case that made headlines for its brutality, Not A Love Story is, more or less, a dramatized reconstruction of the entire episode appended with a fictional culmination.Not A Love Story is certainly not a bad story. But it doesn't boast of great storytelling either. At the end, you remain indifferent towards the partners in crime!..
Ratings:2/5 Reviewer:Daily Bhaskar Site: Dainik Bhaskar
‘Not A Love Story’ is unconvincing from the word go. The characters of Anusha and Robin don’t evoke sympathy, even though they have been shown as victims of circumstances. So, the effort of the filmmaker to show them in a positive light, goes in vain. Direction, music and cinematography are the strengths of this film. Slow-paced screenplay, loopholes in the storyline and impactless performances are the drawbacks.Overall, ‘Not A Love Story’ lacks impact and thus leaves one numb. Go and watch it, if you have nothing to do this weekend...
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