Helicoper Eela is a picture where Kajol looks smashing - fit and trim, as if she hasn't aged at all after 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'....and behaves as if she is the same age, through this movie!
Kajol was trying too hard in the early part of the movie. She seems to have lost a degree of her spontaneity and tries to make up for it with funny expressions. I was a little disappointed there - the role she played probably needed a more mature performance and less exuberance...but she looked wonderful and there are moments when her brilliant acting prowess does shine through.
The movie dealt with a very sensitive subject - 'Helicopter Parenting' but it did not come through as thoroughly as one would expect.
There is a degree of a lack of realism in the relationship between mother and son. To depict Helicopter Parenting, one needs to understand what it is. In the movie, the relationship feeds the mother's insecurities and the son is amazingly tolerant...till he feels he can't take it any more.
The music and performance towards the end of the movie seemed like something of a throwback to the famous Kuch Kuch Hota Hai guitar sequence.
The person who plays Kajol's husband ( Tota Roy Chowdhury) is rather insipid. Riddhi Sen as the son Vivaan is quite good but there is nothing scintillating about the performance.
It may appeal to Kajol fans ( I am one) but if you go for substance, you ain't getting any.