Saturday, 09 October 2021 12:55

Kites/ Brett Ratner Presents Kites: The Remix






KITES/ BRETT RATNER PRESENTS KITES: THE REMIX

India, 2009, 123 minutes, Colour.
Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori.
Directed by Anurag Basu.


Quite a deal of ballyhoo promoting this Indian thriller romance. The international version, at 2 hours, was released with some popular success in India and in the US. Then, a week later, Kites: the Remix was released, a cut version, supervised by Brett Ratner. This review is of the 2 hour version.

Not quite sure what the ballyhoo was all about and what it was for – it is a mixed bag as entertainment. The Indian film-makers have gone to the US and filmed in Las Vegas and in New Mexico. That is more than a bit exotic for the home audience and, maybe, a draw for an international audience. However, it is highly (highly) melodramatic with a Bollywood visual style, bright colours, intense close-ups and some of the new found freedom in showing relationships.

J has moved from India to the US and, while working as a dance instructor, serves as a repeat husband for women wanting to become US citizens or get green cards. When he is pursued by the daughter of a crooked casino owner (also from India) and wins a dance competition with her, her father is so pleased, he invites J to become part of his organisation and to the engagement party of his son. But, he is to marry the last of J's illegal spouses and he persuades her to run away with him.

So, after the Nevada glamour, there are several chases (in one, the cars burst into flame almost before they crash; in another, there are no fires), shootouts as angry jilted gangster pursues J and his woman. When you think the film is going to end, there is more, especially in terms of happy marriage, revenge and an ending of amour fou that will raise an eyebrow or two.

For emotional temperaments who like melodrama. Otherwise, a bit too much.