Rockford – Back down the memory lane
Rings a bell in the head, doesn’t it? Well, this is the movie I saw this weekend. With no watchable movie running in the theatre’s, I resorted to what is popularly known as damage control and gave this one a shot. Will waste no time in coming to the review….
Official Image
Rockford – The story is set in a very realistic environment, teens talking about fears, crushes, masturbation, school bully and things which any bunch of common teenagers talk about. All this is presented with a little humor that makes it a nostalgic film most of us can identify with. It came out about 10 years back but a boarding school today will still be pretty much the same. The plot has some twists and turns here and there, a little dramatic and portrays the rise of young protagonist from a zero to a hero. It was done very skillfully and naturally. The competition for the “class first” felt so damn real, will make the viewer remind him of his own class at school. Also, the fact that Rajesh is not some chap who fails and then comes first but he starts off as the topper, so that “bollywood-ish dud becomes genius” part is not present and adding on to it to the way the whole school gives importance to Rajesh coz he’s the topper actually sends a strong signal. It’s not the bully whom everybody likes, not the tallest guy BUT the chap is studies well. So true.
Coming to acting department, Nagesh Kukunoor plays a fitness teacher and does it badly. The character feels half-baked and he actually makes the movie feel amateurish. Good direction by him but bad acting. Nandita Das as the beautiful teacher of the school has a small cameo and does it elegantly. The girl who plays Malati does a decent job and does make the character feel real. Selva as the best friend of Rajesh is very impressive and probably runs a chance at best supporting actor, at times he is better than his protagonist friend too. Last and most importantly, Rohan Dey as Rajesh Naidu is amazing. Will have to check if he got any awards for his role. It was truly a marvelous performance by a child artist. He seemed so natural, “lived the role” as they say in Telugu. 
On the musical side, the opening song is pretty decent and the song “Yaaron Dosti” is definitely a cult song for friendship now. The technical aspects are average as the movie scores high on the screenplay and acting.
It’s a good one time watch, probably alone or with a couple of old school pals. Will surely make you smile. Putting it bluntly, it’s a movie about a teen boy’s sexual feelings and story of “firsts – crushes, love letters, kiss” etc.
P.S. This seemed like a fatherly movie to Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par. TZP surely is not a remake but did take some serious inspiration from this. Eg. Teacher/Student bonding, Gym for Rockford/ Art for TZP and the meek friend. They might be stereotypes but these will flash your mind if you watch both.
Shamelessly flicked these images from a blog
Wat say?
A video of that cult song (again by KK)for which I saw this sweet movie :
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