Andaz Apna Apna Review

Translating comedy is hard. Let's start with that premise. I had heard that this was an amazing laugh riot Indian comedy, and one I shouldn't miss. Welllll, it wasn't for me. I can admire Aamir Khan and Salman Khan's zaniness in their roles, and there were a few chuckles for me. But just so much of the cultural references went right over my head. I'm sure there was also wordplay that didn't come across at all in the English subtitles. The super villain guy? Totally didn't get him at all.

I also gather that this is a film of it's time -- which is 20 years past at this point. Watching The Blues Brothers or The Ghostbusters with my sons I could see that the fall on the floor laughter I experienced first watching them in the 80's just wasn't translating for my sons watching it in 2014.

I contrast AAA with watching Vicky Donor immediately afterwards. That film probably has cultural references I missed, too, but it was really, really funny still. I'm glad I watched AAA just to see what all the fuss was about, but it wasn't a film for me. Rating it 3 stars just on Aamir Khan, Salman Khan's performances and the wonderful guy who played Teja and the father. Loved him!