Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries)
Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries) Image
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Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critics What's this?

User Score
4.6 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries) is the story of four people from very different backgrounds, whose worlds intersect and leave them forever altered. As they find themselves drawn into compelling relationships, the city finds its way into the crevices of their lives, separating them even as it brings them closer... Fragments of their experience - seen through a naïve video diary, black and white photographic images and painting - form a portrait of Mumbai and its people, bound together as they journey through longing, loneliness, loss and love. (Aamir Khan Productions)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kevin Thomas
    Jan 20, 2011
    80
    It marks a subtle, assured and altogether distinctive feature debut for writer-director Rao and its radiant leading lady, rock star and stage performer Monica Dogra.
  2. Boxoffice Magazine
    Reviewed by: Tim Cogshell
    Jan 22, 2011
    60
    This is a wholly accessible story that most filmgoers will find pithy and generally well done.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    Jan 26, 2011
    58
    This shot-on-film-and-video trifle reveals a Bombay (that's what all the characters call it) that "Slumdog Millionaire" didn't: a delicate metropolis sunk in torpor.
  4. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    Jan 22, 2011
    50
    An odd amalgam of soap opera and street-level realism, with, alas, the former trumping the latter.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 3 out of 3
  1. TwinkleShetty
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Yes, it is a colossal disappointment, but let me add that the film is watchable in parts. I quite liked the performances of the two new female faces, no matter how far fetched the premise of a New York investment banker on sabbatical in Mumbai shooting photos with a research grant seemed to be. Moreover, the scenes of the Mumbai landscape often reminded me of my childhood and family visits back home (though I have nothing to do with Mumbai in the least). The problem though is that the film just plods along, truly like a diary (kudos for authenticity). So often with not much excitement in the story-telling. So what, you might argue, that's just like real life. True, but cinema is most engaging and exciting when it has a story to tell, not when it accompanies us through the banalities of life. Too much of Dhobi Ghat, especially the first 20 to 30 minutes, is just too boring. You're not even invested in the characters yet, and newcomer director Kiran Rao expects us to enjoy watching them stare or stand silent or just be, doing nothing, from the get go. Sorry, that's not the way it works for most viewers Ms Rao. I must also add that the whole self-video taping concept though brilliantly acted, was a million times better handled in last year's grossly under-rated Love Sex Aur Dhokha.… Expand
  2. AvaRics
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Better to watch a documentary on Bombay on discovery or national geographic than wasting your time watching this movie.

    No sense in making such movie and make people suffer.

    Aamir khan should keep his reputation of doing good movies. He should forget about this movie .

    The video shooting part of the movie is horrible and boring.

    No sense in the movie at all.

    Don't watch it .

    Aamir please save people .

    I don't know why people need 150 characters to curse this movie    … Expand
  3. KunalKohli
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Yeah, it is a real shame that how the film industry has been completely engulfed by nepotism. Everyday, a new movie comes up with an retired actor introducing his son. Or a well known actor introducing his relative or close friend. They feel they know all the system, and can turn some summary of couple of movies into a blockbuster. Well, i say they are wrong!!!

    Dhobi Ghat is totally 1/10 movie. or maybe even less. It has got some good musical tunes here and there, which i am sure is a manipulated form of some old hit tune, if not from India maybe from abroad. The only thing refreshing is seeing some fresh faces on screen.

    Please, guys do not make movies for a hobby. It should be a passion. You are wasting money & time of millions of people here. I don't know how you live with that.    … Expand

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