Marigold has an archaic script, the screenplay is filled with clichés and the look of the film is flashy and over the top. The film depicts the done to death love story as the main plot where a phirang girl Marigold comes to India and faces many problems here, but amidst all this she also falls for a bollywood choreographer Prem. The rest of the film deals with the various problems that affect the love story like an opposing family, a typical love triangle etc. Even Willard Carroll’s execution is uninspiring and unimaginative; it often reverts to the old 90’s bollywood kind of style and story. Performances are unenthusiastic and below average. The film’s script, screenplay and execution are all below average and the film turns out to be a big disappointment.
Marigold is an English film that belongs to the romantic genre. The story has been written and directed by Willard Carroll. The star cast consists of Salman Khan as Prem, Ali Larter as Marigold Lexton, Nandana Sen, Helen, Suchitra Pillai, Ian Bohen, Vikas Bhalla etc. The cinematography has been done by Anil Mehta and the music has been composed by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy.
Marigold an American actress comes to India for her role in a small budget Hollywood flick. However on her arrival in the country, she is plagued with problems, she first loses her luggage and then later she learns that her film which was being shot in Goa has been scrapped. Marigold also has an attitude that doesn’t help her in dealing with her problems well. She is a bit haughty and snooty. Nonetheless the actress tries to find work and ends up being cast for a role in a bollywood flick. However Marigold has another problem, she does not know how to do the jhatkas and matkas and gyrate in Hindi films.
But instead of giving up the role which she is tempted to do, she enlists the help of the film’s choreographer Prem (Salman). Prem teaches the American Marigold how to dance in an Indian style, along the way they also begin to fall in love with each other. But none of them are willing to admit their feelings for their own reasons. Prem actually comes from a royal family but has always tried to hide his rich background as he does not wish to flaunt it. But he takes Marigold to his royal home and there she eventually learns that Prem is soon to wed an Indian girl that his parents have chosen for him. Marigold is hurt and tries to leave. But things also take a twist when her American boyfriend arrives and wants to be with her. So will marigold and Prem finally overcome all these obstacles and be together?
Marigold’s script and story deals with a stale love story and incorporates several old-fashioned plots. There are plenty of clichés like the old triangle used in a love story, the opposing family etc. Also director Willard Caroll’s portrayal of India depicts a land of fantasy and grandeur; this seems to be an old and regressive kind of portrayal. The look of the film is garish, gaudy and over the top. Willard’s execution and story does not have any fresh ideas but sticks to the east meets west love story. Audiences today want and accept different innovative ideas and are bored of the tried and tested love story formula.
The film also reflects a 90’s style of Indian cinema when love stories were extremely popular and even the look is flashy and dated. Music of the film by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy does not have any catchy music and is downright forgettable. Cinematography is not up to the mark and the sets are gaudy and garish. Dialogues are unimpressive and performances are lackluster.
Salman Khan as Prem the romantic hero does not manage to bring any feeling to his character. His dialogues are often inaudible and the accent seems to stick out like a sore thumb. Ali Larter as Marigold looks good and her performance is average. The rest of the cast does not perform in a satisfactory manner.
Overall Marigold is an uninspiring east-west flick. At the box-office, the film may not manage to make a mark as even the publicity for the film was not much. The script, screenplay and execution are unimpressive and extremely stale and forgettable. The film is below average.
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| Reviewed By: Rachel Fernandes |
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