3 Idiots Review: A Joyous Bollywood Campus Comedy
8.5/10 — 3 Idiots (2009)
Pros
- Funny and warm
- Charming trio of leads
- Meaningful message
Cons
- Long
- Contrived plot points
Two friends look for their long-lost college buddy Rancho, a free-thinker who challenged the pressure of rote learning at an elite engineering college. Aamir Khan plays Rancho in a film that moves between past and present.
What works
The jokes land, the songs are catchy, and the film makes a sincere case for following your passion instead of grades. Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi make a great trio, and a couple of emotional scenes hit hard.
Where it falters
The humour is occasionally crude, the film is long, and some plot points are contrived.
Verdict
A joyful, feel-good film with a message that lands.
