Wednesday Review
Spoiler alert - I have tried my best to say what needs to be said without giving the movie away but in doing so might have suggested the unraveling of the suspense. So either read it after you have seen the movie or read it if you don’t care for the twists 
There was anticipation for the film from the promos. Not only because of the celebrated actors playing main leads but because this little film had an air about it that seemed to take itself seriously enough to communicate what it meant to.
Focussed and to the point
The strongest aspect of the film is it stays focussed. During the exposition, through the crisis and the denouement. It is always to the point in terms of the story and the actions of everyone included. It says what it has to has to and says it tightly. In doing so it does eliminate factors that could have given it a more layered appeal. The lack of it makes the film a wee bit limited but does not harm the intent or the execution of the original content. Having said that the film does resonate with multiple questions and throws open a number of debates in its climax, more on which later.
Use of camera and music
Wednesday is a thriller. Its a fast-paced story where the support of camera work, editing and music is crucial. Keeping with the realism of the film and the gritty tone the director does not opt for photgraphic acrobatics yet employs the camera in its most basic form. Shots are, like the narrative, to the point. He uses, close-ups, long shots, aerial views, cutaways for exactly what they are meant for. Establishing a certain ambience, making a point, introduction or putting a spotlight upon. For eg the climax speech of Naseeruddin Shah is all in one tight close-up cut with Anupam Kher’s reactions. It’s am emotional moment, its loaded with content exploding with myriad possibilities for the protagonists and the audience. No snazzy tricks. A simple close-up cut with mid to long shots reactions says it all.
The pace of the film is upbeat. There are no lazy pans or slow track ins/out. But the director uses music for effect. There is no melody or meaning attached to the music for it to be lauded separately. The background score just complements the proceedings and in a more than mild manner. In a way the use of BG music is a bit simplistic, with a thumping track to signify adrenaline-rushing action and maintains interest but th film does not need anything else. Like said earlier, it is focussed to its point without unnecessary baggage.
Script
Well, of course the tightness comes from here. The concept, the surprising twist and the putting together of everything in between is a superlative job. The strength of the script and its pace adds to the whole effect of the film coming off as a convincing thriller.
Turning point that changes the track of the film
The film is based on this one little turning point that throws the whole perspective of the hunted and hunter. To say the least, it is well-done and creeps onto you without notice. Again, a lack of fanfare does it a lot of credit. Other’s might opt for a deafening silence or deafening sound or some portentous dialogues to signify a stomach-churning twist but Wednesday gives it to the audience on a platter. The shock of the content is enough for stomachs to churn in surprise and the director is intelligent enough to realise that. It’d be premature to discuss the content here as most readers wouldn’t have seen the film.
What the film says
The film, though neat and self-centric throws open debates of legal, moral and social nature just because of its content. The debate of right and wrong, violence and non-violence, moral and immoral, just and unjust, law and lawless, social order and anarchy and above all it brings into question the meaning of democracy and what has it given the common man.
Idealistic
It is our most cherished dream to see upright powerful police officials in control, sending the baddies to jail, thus bringing the war of good vs bad, right vs wrong to its righteous hence satisfactory end. Wednesday feeds off this fibre of our moral and emotional terrain. All Inspectors are upright, brave, ready-to-die for their country idealists with gumption that could put Superman to shame. While it heartens our disillusioned hearts immensely to see these men uphold their duty in the most respectable fashion, the fact of it being tad too idealistic remains a fact that brings down the validity of the film. but mind you, only validity. Not watchability.
Naive
This idealism coupled with the extreme reactions the twist is based on makes an effective statement. But a naive one. It does bring a moral question in play, puts everyone involved in a dilemma but such is the feel-good nature of the statement that it remains a catharsis, but a huge one at that. As a work of fiction it pulls off the naivete, by giving its character’s enough emotional reason to justify their respective actions but does not translate it as a solution or even a justified reaction.
Maybe, despite the naivete, it is this balanced presentation of circumstances that stop the film short of sermonising and/or over-simplifying. And its this presentation that makes it eminently watchable despite its limited breadth, short focus, lack of emotional depth and serious subtext.
Acting
No review of Wednesday can be complete without reckoning Naseeruddin Shah’s superlative performance as the common man who becomes the threat. He holds the film together through every plot point and turn even as Anupam Kher matches him stride by stride in his role of an impeccable Police Chief having to take tough decisions. But it is Naseeruddin Shah in the end who brings more depth to the climax enlivening it from a thriller-cum-a-common-man’s-story to a real question of who do we depend on for our safety? And till when?
Wednesday maybe a small film but it is a film that not only has it heart and mind in the right place but also its technique and message. An impressive debut of Neeraj Pandey who brings us a parallel perspective of threatening present circumstances.
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I don’t understand why would anybody give out the twist in a thriller? Why don’t they realise that every viewer deserves the thrill you got? And after you have watched A Wednesday and you realise that it is the very ending which is the talking point, how can you give it away?
Fatema, I am really disappointed! I know everyone is giving out the ending… At least PFC didn’t deserve this… Please put a disclaimer, at least…
Hunh but where have I given out the twist??????????????????????
I have made all attempts to steer clear of stating the twist.But it has to be analysed for what it is. I have tries to do it without spoiling it for anyone but in doing so if one can second guess the twist then sure it must deserve a spoiler alert.
LOL and who wrote this? “No review of Wednesday can be complete without reckoning Naseeruddin Shah’s superlative performance as the common man…”
But its all over the place that he plays a common man cum terrorist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean the promos, the stills, the interviews, the bytes, the press releases ALL have it!!! Pratimda if THAT is what gave the movie away to you then I am gonna remove the spoiler alert RIGHT AWAY
And here I was all proud I’d steered completely clear of giving anything away and YET having managed to say what I wanted to!!!
Ufffff!!!!
Fatema, don’t shout your way out of this… I have seen the film and I have the press kit and I have interviewed Neeraj and nowhere is it mentioned the identity of the caller and THAT IS THE MOVIE… What’s Usual Suspects if you tell everyone who Verbal Kint is? Forget what’s “all over the place”… As a film viewer should you tell another viewer who Naseer is?
That, was a manner of speaking as your ‘Lol’ suggested we were discussing it in a lighter vein.
Well, seems like we are not and if that’s the way you wish to see it then there is no point in arguing. As far as the audience is concerned it is very obvious what Naseer is playing and well, now, even the spoiler alert is in place so there shouldn’t be any problem.
Very different approach to the review… hmm… where is my patent film grading… ?
Aiyyooo! Forgot about that! But that was more for impressing my editor who insists on ratings etc.
Hehehehe
I, for the life of me, cannot grade a film properly. But maybe, with my limited skills, I’d hazard giving Wednesday B+ !!!
Yeah spolier ne poora spoil kar diya..was waiting since last night for your review fatema..lekin, the first thing i read was “SPOILER”…damn it…abhi tho will watch the movie and then read your review
Fatema..gradings only on a scale of 1 to 5..lol!!
ohh and “0″ too in some cases
Sorry OM, tried but couldn’t pull it off. Guess the spoilers are innocuous to those who haven’t seen the film but then why take a chance hence the disclaimer.
Oz,
Tried to cut out the expressiveness and keep it to the point. I had lots to say and thought will keep it the point, structuring and highlighting the salient points of the film rather than douse it with language.
Fatema..after say 20-25 days..you can write another side of the movie..where we can discuss it more openly..just like what was done with Aamir..would be fun
pritam….i am sorry but i gess i got more of the info by your explanation supporting your first reply to this post…than i got out of fatema’s post…not wise:-)
“Script - Well, of course the tightness comes from here.”
Hardly Fatema ..
if anything give shabaashi to the edit and OST..
hmmm….
the review was pretty good and i dont think it gave away anything. but pratim’s reading-between-the-lines did. else not many would have realized it. anyways….its not fun anymore..
Dpac, ofcourse the editing is tight and the OST does a great service in packing a punch but don’t you think the base of a good edit is a tight script? And Wednesday has it. The screenplay is smooth and cut-to-cut and helps the edit do its job better. Have seen films salvaged by a great edit where the script or shot-taking was loose and it shows.
What do you think?
seriously..
there are gaping holes which have been filled up by the ‘lifting’ score to shore it up..
script maybe smooth but tight??!! neva
“SPOILER ALERT - SOME INDIVIDUAL SCENES ARE BEING ANALYSED”
DPac, Apart from the protoganist, there are many supporting characters in the film. But the back story is given only to the two cops and the TV journalist…Not even to Police commisioner..I think the script is tight.
Some cliches could have been avoided (like the hacker) but comeon, this is the first film of the guy….he’ll do better. The positives are far more..
1. In the scene where Jimmy Shergill searches the under-construction building and Naseer having his sandwich in the rooftop, we know that it is obviously going to be two different buildings, but the director smartly makes Jimmy step onto a bottle, cut to Naseer suddenly hearing a noise, and creates a doubt in the audience mind.
2. A similar technique is employed in the last scene when Anupam and Naseer walk past each other, making the audience suspect another gimmick but surprises the audience.
3. Anupam telling the cop “to _______ Arif Khan” after the operation is over, thereby leading the audience. Later on, this is culminated beautifully.
4. When Naseer gives the final command, the Police Commissioner leaves the decision-making to the CM, and I think this ties up the loose ends..Just look at all the converstaion that happens between the CM and the Commisioner and notice the undercurrent throughout, it is a fantastic culmination to this part of the story.
5. And the famous twist in the end, which makes this good film into a great film.
The script is damn good, this guy knows his job.
I think this is the best script this year DPac, and we still are five months away to the end of the year.
Nice
Why you gave away the twist ? Now i am left with only 2-3 sites which still review without giving the movie away. On top of it your lame excuse that - it’s all over the place - is pathetic. There was an ( may be small ) audience who prefers reading review on net and not “the interviews, the bytes, the press releases” - you lost that.
By the way …the movie was superb. But how i wish …
Very nice movie… liked every bit of it.
The transition was smooth.. but the most important question that comes after the most important scene of the film is : Is it possible? Does this happen? After a quick moment, I decided that no, it does not happen.. But yes, everything is possible in a country of one billion..
How many times have I myself thought of doing something like this? You too must have thought of it at least for once in your life..
The true beauty of the movie is not its technical side, but adoption of a theme that was long yearning to be adopted.. Once in many years, there comes a flick which makes you think : yeh film ab tak kyon nahi bani?
Just saw the film last night. Never have I come across a film where the critics have got it all wrong so much ( Maybe Black was another such film.) The film is a one-trick pony, hinged completely on the twist in the end. Right from the scene where Naseer lodges a complaint about losing a purse ( Lodging a FIR about losing a purse! In that vague language, without details of the credit card and ATM card!) everything is very unbelievable and amateurish. Even taking it as a fantasy, the message is silly. No common man can have the wherewithal to pant the six bombs , and neither is it desirable. That is why they have the police and law-enforcing agency in every society. A film like Indian/ Hindustani is done in a different key, and the point of those films is not really justify the solution shown, but capture the anger and frustration. That aspect is totally lacking in this film. Increasingly I am getting convinced that the mainstream audience is a more reliable judge of the quality of a mainstream film than our present-day critics.
I thought films like Hindustani and Nayak were far more complex and insightful and carried the message to many more people. And in term of overall cinematic quality, aamir was a far superior and engaging film.
Completely agree with Utkal. Aamir was indeed superior to this. I dont know how so many critics go it so wrong.
Read my review at (doesnt have spoilers):
http://sunduk26.blogspot.com/
Hi Fatema,
Nice review! Saw the film only yesterday, liked it a lot. There is just one thing that I did not get, hope somebody will help. In the last scene, how does Anupam Kher locate that building? Does he identify Nasseruddin Shah? Is he in this whole thing with Shah? Can someone explain.
Hi Raj,
This is in reply to the recent post…Anupam Kher located the building with the help of the teenage hacker in the end. He was able to crack the location but he was so impressed with Nasir that he asked Anupam to leave him as he is not only good he is the best…But Anupam had to do his job thats why he was able to track down Nasir, but he knew he couldnt have informed anybody else about that so he went alone…And Director has left the end for you to decide…I am a big movie freak but I can tell you this after a long time I have seen a Hindi movie which can be compared with a typical hollywood thriller which has all the elements in it to be a blockbuster…If it had consisted Shahrukh khan or Hrithik roshan in the lead role and Akhshay Kumar in Anupam’s Shoe, and couple of hip shaking songs..It would have been the greatest hit of the year…But SERIOUSLY…..This movie has been made for sensible people of our country and to realize how vulnerable is out system…
And Fatema,
Thank you for the detailed review…Dont listen to what other people say about your review…you are doing a good job..
Regards
Utkal and Soumya - I do not call myself a critic because I do not have the requisite knowledge for the title. This piece is about how I read Wednesday and responded to it, emotionally and celebrally.
Raj and Amit - Thank you for the appreciation.
And the movie is still in the halls so guess people are still going to watch it. Its not one of the greatest films to have come out in recent years but its a meaningful film, though limited and populist. Its doing good business makes me happy to what it will mean for other meaningful realistic films.
Utkal, you are absolutely spot on. Couldn’t agree more.