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Love Games backdrop

Love Games

8 April 2016Hindi1h 54m
out of 10
Unfavorablemost critics didn't like it
Monk Score · 14 scored reviews · 4 not rated

A glossy thriller that mistakes style for substance and never recovers.

Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: sleek production values and gloss
  • Criticised: poor execution of promising premise

Audience

User score 4.0 out of 10 from 1 rating, not enough ratings for a verdict yet

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 18 critics are saying

Critical reception for Love Games is overwhelmingly negative, with most reviewers finding it a wasted premise poorly executed. A handful of critics acknowledged its production values and surface gloss, with one noting Patralekha's acting and tight editing as highlights. The majority of critics lambasted the film for its predictable story, clichéd dialogue, lack of depth, and failure to deliver on its thriller aspirations, with several calling it a C-grade effort dressed up in glossy packaging.

How the 14 scores spread

4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 18 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (18)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Love Games is a Vishesh Films offering. So it does not lack surface gloss. But it simply isn't enough to hide its lack of depth. Best avoided.
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    The Bhatts' long-standing promise of giving us fully adult men and women bursting with carnal desires and twisted motives used to be backed by storylines. This one gives up quickly.
  3. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    Love Games is a game you would like to be involved in as it is a treat for erotica lovers. The lethal combination of sexual content and aggressive promotions will ensure a safe ride for the film.
  4. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Though it has some bold quotient, Love Games is quite traditional at heart. Every character has a justification about why they behave in that manner. Patralekha's acting, a tight screenplay and editing are the highlights. Those who just want to pass time for a couple of hours won't be disappointed with this one.
  5. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    'Love Games' is a watchable one if you have nothing to do this weekend or simply if you don't get the tickets for 'The Jungle Book'.
  6. Zee News

    Film review ·

    Overall, the film has sleek production values and, though frothy, it is a decent adult film.
  7. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    Though the film has good production values, by the end of the first half, you can easily predict what is going to unfold on screen. Wonders don't cease to surface in the second half. What the film lacks is the thrills and spills in the game
  8. Rediff

    Film review ·

    The first half of the film is all about love games, sexual boredom and intimate scenes. The story takes off in the second half but it misses the mark because of its predictable story, cliched dialogues and all-too-easy screenplay.
  9. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    The oohs and aahs are limited to the pain of watching the film. This one is an opportunity lost. Even the brightest of ideas go in vain because of bad execution. Love Games is a classic example of it.
  10. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Vikram Bhatt is just juggling with the idea of cheap thrills without actually putting anything substantial on offer. So, it won't make any difference if you call Love Games, Hate Story 4. To cut the chase short: Roses are red, violets are blue. Hey Vikram Bhatt, what did you do?
  11. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Love Games is a good concept gone downhill with its exaggerated conclusion and ordinary performances by the leads. The movie fails to satisfy the thrill of sensuality as well as the romance.
  12. Sify

    Film review ·

    If you've seen films like the exquisite Dangerous Liaisons and the more mainstream Cruel Intentions, you'll find a striking resemblance with our film here. All these films delve in the love and lust sports played by people, often lacking love in their lives.
  13. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    There is death, and destruction of a premise that could have been a wonderful thriller if only the whole movie had been handled with a little more finesse.
  14. DNA India

    Film review ·

    If you love games, stay away. After watching this one, you wouldn't come close to even board games.
  15. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    Watch it if you found Bhatt's previous films entertaining. He has only gone another level up with his style with Love Games.
  16. CatchNews

    Film review ·

    Calling it a "posh urban thriller" is one thing, hijacking an entire landscape and soundscape to justify this inane production package is another altogether. I was planning to visit the country next year, and now I'm worried that I'll find rickshaws, overcrowded buses, honking scooters and hawkers selling Chetan Bhagat books and Bhatt DVDs at traffic signals.
  17. The Hindu

    Film review ·

    'Love Games' is a C Grade film trying hard to be cool (pitches itself as urban-thriller) making it worse for itself. If the whole point of giving us a truly adult film was to tom-tom the sexually expletive terms well, then what more can one say?

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

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