New Years Eve Review

Now this is what you call as a quintessentially template-following Hollywood film. Come up with a basic setting (series of events that unfold on a New Year's Eve) which doesn't require much explanation, bring on a bunch of actors who have a week, or perhaps 10 odd spare dates available in their diary, rope in a filmmaker (Garry Marshall) who knows a thing or two about making romcoms (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Runaway Bride), ensure that the production values lead to a picture perfect setting and voila, an easy, though predictable, feel-good film is well in place.

This is exactly the kind of setting that 'New Year's Eve' enjoys that takes time to get started but once it does, you are pretty much on board for the 90 odd minutes that follow. Telling the story of multiple characters, not necessarily them being in love with each other, who share an episode each of their lives as it unfolds on a New Year's eve, the film neither takes an episodic route/follows a short story format nor tries to get connect all stories at the end (thank goodness for that).

This means that unlike a 'New York, I Love You', which again told multiple stories; this one doesn't come across as a disjointed affair and instead stays on to be seamless for most part of the narrative. So while it is Hilary Swank's story that stays on the forefront (she can't afford to 'drop the ball', pun intended, at the Times Square where thousands have gathered to watch the big show), the others that you take home involve the platonic relationship shared between a middle aged assistant (Michelle Pfeiffer), who has just resigned from her job, and a teenage courier boy (Zac Efron) who ensures that she fulfils her resolution.

On the other hand the story that had the potential to be really cute-n-naughty, the one between Ashton Kutcher and Lea Michele (together they are stuck in an elevator), doesn't really go all the way. It comes on and off, only making audience want for more. The story featuring Robert Di Niro, an ailing old man staring at death and his considerate nurse (Halle Berry) is underdeveloped too though one doesn't mind that since it only brings a depressing twang to an otherwise happy film.

The story which is a little overdone though is the one featuring two pregnant women who have their respective husbands fighting it out for the midnight delivery in a hospital that offers $25000 prize money for that 'perfect timed delivery'. Thankfully it doesn't go the 'Nine Months' way though, something that many films since the release of the Hugh Grant starrer have been guilty of in the past.

In the middle of it all there is this romance between Jon Bon Jovi and Katherine Heigl that stays at the peripheral. It does have it's moments, especially when Jon Bon Jovi hits the stage and comes up with a melodic piece. On the other hand Sarah Jessica Parker as the concerned mother of a 15 year old girl who wants to party on her own at the Times Square with her boyfriend does bring with it the kind of sensitivity which is otherwise missing in many mainstream Hollywood offerings.

With a setting like this which has multiple stories seamlessly getting integrated with each other, the need of the hour is to have a skilled story teller aided by an editor who knows his job right when it comes to picking and choosing the moments that don't come across as speed breakers. In this context, Garry Marshall does it right and along with his team, he manages to present a ride which may not be termed as a roller coaster by any stretch of imagination but is still breezy enough to keep the entertainment quotient up for most part of the affair.

What works for 'New Year's Eve' is the fact that never once do the makers hammer any dramatic moments down your threat. There is a light hearted moment that prevails right through the two hour long film, something that remains intact even in the end credit title roll that make for a fun watch. Of course this also means that the film can well be classified as 'escapist cinema' but then with Christmas and New Year round the corner, who would really mind that!

A good holiday watch.

Rating: ***