98. Jatt Brothers; movie review

 

JATT BROTHERS

Cert 12A

135 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate violence, drug references

The word Jatt in a movie's title made me lower my expectations of a drive to the Vue Cinema at Birmingham's Star City.

I now know it means Punjabi landowning farmers but it has tended to be used in unfunny buddy pictures.

Both uses are true in Manav Shah's Jatt Brothers, starring Guri and Jass Manak as lads who like to push boundaries in search of a laugh.

Meanwhile, Manak's character also comes from rich landowning parents.

He and his pal are a pair of jokers whose studies are secondary to their partying.

However, things take an interesting turn when they both fall for the same beautiful girl (Priyanka Khera).

She sees only the best in people but her nerdy pal (Nikeet Dhillon) is scornful of the duo who she sees as lusty wasters.

While the lads jostle over a potential love, Manak's parents have a boasting contest with their next-door neighbours over the wall that divides their houses.

Much of the film's comedy emanates from this scene and Anita Devgan as a stroppy mum.

Her passion to prove her family is the best means that the pressure is on her son to bring home a suitable bride.

Jatt Brothers didn't make me laugh out loud but I did enjoy its vibrancy and its heart.

Initially, I feared Guri's character was going to be an over-the-top clown but it soon transpires that he has more complex feelings than originally appeared.

And I rather fell for Dhillon's swotty but well-meaning, constantly sneezing, highly opinionated role.

Sure, some of the cultural jokes flew over my head as they do in most Punjabi comedies but there was enough to have made a 45-mile trip worth it.

Reasons to watch: Easygoing comedy

Reasons to avoid: Too farcical at times

Laughs: A couple of chuckles

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? According to Urban Dictionary, Jatts are the landowning class in Punjab (India as well as Pakistan). Jatts do not go out looking for trouble, but they are seen as warriors.

The final word. Jass Manak: "The film is about all the fun I had in my college and school. I am playing the role of a guy who is very mischievous. It was my debut movie so I was very excited to play my character. I hope people like it." Glamsham

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