Friday Night Plan review: Coming-of-age drama with paper-thin plot falls short
The low budget coming of age comedy drama revolves around two teenage brothers with distinctively different personalities, who decide to attend a party while their mother is away
By Anjali MehtaSep 14, 2023
THERE have been a lot of movies about teenagers getting into trouble, while in pursuit of having a good time and that is why it was always going to be difficult for Friday Night Plan to stand out.
The low budget coming of age comedy drama revolves around two teenage brothers with distinctively different personalities, who decide to attend a party while their mother is away. Things don’t go to plan as they find themselves in a series of slippery situations and learning some important life lessons.
The film, which recently had a streaming site premiere on Netflix, doesn’t really have anything new to offer and largely rides on a paper thin plot. It borrows elements of much better Hollywood movies, which have implemented the same story troupe. Unlike many of those movies, which have often had outrageous jokes, Friday Night Plan largely plays it safe with the various misadventures and conversations the protagonists find themselves in. While this gives it a uniqueness, the movie isn’t able to capitalise on that fully and kind of just drifts along without any major surprises. What keeps you engaged is the decent performances from the two leads, including late actor Irrfan Khan’s son Babil Khan, who is outstanding in the lead role. Unlike most Bollywood films where the teenager is played by someone who obviously looks much older, the two young protagonists suit their characters and bring a realness to them.
The supporting cast of unknown names also deliver impactful efforts in their respective roles. Unfortunately, debutante director Vatsal Neelakantan is out of his depth and is unable to elevate the formulaic film to a higher level. What remains is a comedy-drama that attempts to punch above its weight but is unable to rise above the average.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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