Guddu Rangeela has flashes of the originality we saw in Kapoor's earlier films Jolly LLB and particularly Phas Gaye Re Obama. But it's weighed down by a lousy script that squanders all potential.

The ingredients are all there and there are times it’s all good and rollicking, but a lot of it seems slapped hurriedly together. The fact that Guddu and Rangeela are a couple of weary dogsbodies who, according to their theme song, 'drink down their own tears, neat' is never shown to us, only told. Still, it’s a decent ride.It’s no Ishqiya, but at least it has some heart.

A review of Guddu Rangeela in its own tone and style would simply say, with a smilie: GR is neither rangeela, nor very guddu-guddu. And for this the satisfied team of Subhash Kapoor and Arshad Warsi are to blame.

The film works, albeit on some level, because of its gritty writing. What could have genuinely raised the bar though, is a slicker pace, additional gloss and superstar charisma.

...works in parts. Disjointed fragments of the film stand out instead of the whole story. In trying to pack in too much of suspense and drama (melodrama, at certain points), Subhash Kapoor leaves the viewer dissatisfied. Watch it if you have to, for the chemistry between the two male leads.

The shaky camera notwithstanding in a handful of places, the film's cinematography (James Fowlds) too is very average On the whole, GUDDU RANGEELA is quite 'colourless' and offers nothing new.

The one reason Guddu Rangeela avoids embarrassment is its performances. The actors really do save this film. Whether it's the comedy by the supporting cast or the dramatic turns of the leads, the acting keeps the spark alive. Needless to say, Subhash Kapoor's film is well-made. But it's also severely flawed. His films are usually noticed for their writing and that's exactly where Guddu Rangeela falls short.

Arshad Warsi puts in a decent effort, but he’s saddled with a role where he’s grossly miscast as a young bridegroom on the run. Amit Sadh is sincere. There is a spark of chemistry between Hydari and Sadh, only if it wasn’t nipped in the bud by cheesy lines. Ronit Roy is brilliant; only if he had a better character sketch he could have taken this film a notch above. If only.