New York or Old Yolk - * *

I patiently wait three weeks for the next Bollywood flick to release. And, unluckily for me,'New York' gets the honour to be that flick. Not that I was being unreasonably demanding, that too with the best of the non-acting lot in it, definitely not. But 'New York' was just that bare minimum level that every Bollywood film strives to reach.

As the movie progressed, I was reminded of several other movies. The underlying theme of racial prejudice was heavily influenced by the critically acclaimed Khuda Kay Liye and the 'cop frisking Katrina' scene, a rip off from Crash. The first half is how Kuch Kuch Hota Hai would look if it had been shot in a foreign locale. In KKHH however, Shahrukh looked credible as the college stud. John playing chess under a tree, and a dozen firangs watching in awe, was as unconvincing as it can get.

However, even with such a weak script, the screenplay is what keeps the movie going. You are almost always glued, just hoping that something else would happen, apart from the expressionless faces of the talented trio. But no surprises till the very end. Although it was tough competition, the award for the keeping a straight face for maximum screen time goes to John. Katrina, as always, does a pretty good job of looking pretty. Neil Nitin Mukesh shows streaks of brilliance in a couple of scenes, especially in the FBI interrogation, minus the conspicuous pink lip glossed lips. I am sure John was secretly hoping that he would be nominated for the National awards for his prison cell antiques. But the director very cleverly kept his face covered for the entire sequence. I would still give John credit for the vigorous movements of his body.

Bollywood cinematography is coming of age. Although a little late, our cinematographers are trying their hands at psychedelic effects. In New York, the cinematographer has done a brilliant job in the prison scene and the swimming pool scene.

The music was the best part of the movie. Apart from the catchy tunes and amazing lyrics, the songs were strategically placed and helped to take the movie forward. The first song - "the friendship song", the second song - "oh she doesn't love me" song, and the third - "shit they raped me, and I am going to get back at them" song, all helped to not take more time to complete the excruciatingly long movie. Watch New York only for the simple reason that there are no other Bollywood movies to watch this week.