'I AM 24' offers Superb Performances, which alone, are worth watching. As a film, its decent, but a monotonous second-hour acts as a deterrent.
Saying the truth was always difficult, and lying, they say, is much simpler. Shubendu lives by the tougher option. But when this honest, 42 year old balding writer falls in love with a 22 year old beauty queen, he is tempted to lie. What's more, his jerk of a roommate, Gagan, who swears by the magic of lies, helps him cook up stories. What follows is a hilarious ride of lies, cover-ups, goof-ups and contradicting tales.
'I AM 24' has an interesting premise & most of the jokes/sequences work, but they are limited in its first-hour. The second-hour is monotonous & lacks proper pacing. Once the protagonist, played by Rajat Kapoor, decides to spill out the truth to his lady-love, one expects the graph to go higher, but sadly, it doesn't. Also, the climax looks hurried.
The Screenplay is good in the first-hour, but slips in the second-hour. Saurabh Shukla's Direction is simplistic. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are fair.
Performance-Wise: Rajat Kapoor is wonderfully restrained. He's in terrific form here. Ranvir Shorey is fun to watch. His comedic areas stand out. Neha Dhupia is simply brilliant. Manjari does a passable job. Vijay Raaz is, as always, first-rate. Saurabh Shukla shows up in an entertaining cameo.
On the whole, 'I AM 24' appeals in parts, but the performances win you over.
