This colourfull movie is not only based on simple adventures but also stuffs like why we earn, why education is important. Dhanush nailed it.. must watch...
65 Reviews
An extraordinary movie
shakif-0165713 July 2018
Dont read a book expecting the movie to be the same!!!
kenfromcanada7 October 2018
Since others here have said it, this delightful!! movie may not be a 100% representation of the book. I don't know, I don't read French and apparently this was a French book of some repute.
So?
Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments certainly did not portray that book (lol) 100% accurately. Yet, a lot of people for decades have enjoyed that movie.
No, this isn't on par, but, this was a very nice movie, with no parts that were NSFW. And today, that is something different.
Watch it. For just easy entertainment value, 10 out of 10. As a movie overall, 8 out of 10.
Was that a true story?, asked the Policemen. Only the important parts was the reply by Dhanush.
jainyashashvi15 October 2018
This movie wasn't great but was delightful, simple, beautiful and Dhanush was lovable as he was in Raanjhanaa. Some reviewers wrote that movie wasn't a true depiction of India or refugees, but was it meant to be so?
It was kind of fairy tale story with simplistic treatment which might not be enough for some but i myself found this one soothing my heart and inner self.
It was kind of fairy tale story with simplistic treatment which might not be enough for some but i myself found this one soothing my heart and inner self.
Wonderful Escapist Fun.
trevd-2297718 October 2018
If you are looking for a bit of light hearted wacky fun you could do a lot worse than this film. This is not normally my type of fare but this got under my skin. The charcters are all likeable and the bollywood moments put a big grin on my face. I will seek the book out now & read that as I enjoyed the movie way more than I expected to.
If you need an antidote to the nastiness & violence so prevalent in modern cinema this is a good example.
Dhanush carries the whole movie
saru202028 November 2019
One of the travel-based movies.
A film with a nice/needed message for Indian kids living below poverty.
Dhanush's performance was as usual exceptional.
The story was good enough but there could've been some twists&turns in the screenplay to keep the audiences engaged.
Extraordinary! Hooked from beginning to end!
ds111132111123 June 2019
I walked into this movie without great expectations, but that perception was quickly changed right from the beginning. The movie moves fast from one action to another and you just get hooked into the story. It's a mix of comedy, drama, action, romance all in one movie, all told in a somewhat poetic and magic fashion. The movie is just beautiful, touching and well acted. Very up-to-date for the moment we live with immigration crises, multi cultural challenges, etc. I'm surprised this movie is falling through the cracks with so few people paying attention to it. Also, totally clean for young audiences. I will take my wife and 10 yo to watch. Go watch it! You will not regret.... Totally 10!
Pretty good..
Darth_Osmosis12 July 2018
I have not read the book so can't compare to it. But it's a nice feel good type of movie that has that sense of wonder and magic about it. There are way better movies of the genre out there, and to be fair a lot worse also! It's good enough, but nothing truly "extraordinary".
Wonderful
BNester21 August 2018
This is the sort of movie that they don't make anymore, the kind you remember as a child, where everyone is bigger and grander than in real life, where magic can take place, where romance can sweep the globe, and love conquers all. I haven't enjoyed a film so much in years.
A truly incredible journey
Gordon-113 October 2018
This film tells the story of a young Indian man who goes to Paris in search of his father, with no money in his pocket.
The journey is truly incredible. It is beyond my wildest dreams, yet most of it is believable. It is a fantastic, eye opening journey that educates the brain and the heart. I find the film very entertaining, fun, touching and imaginative. I really enjoyed it.
The journey is truly incredible. It is beyond my wildest dreams, yet most of it is believable. It is a fantastic, eye opening journey that educates the brain and the heart. I find the film very entertaining, fun, touching and imaginative. I really enjoyed it.
a love story
cdcrb21 June 2019
Bollywood, refugees, and European trip movie
dromasca8 December 2018
The intentions are good, the combination of styles is interesting, but the result is disappointing. Bringing to screen a novel by French author Romain Puértolas ,'The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir', directed by Ken Scott tells the story of an Indian conman whose dream to travel to Europe comes true, only to be mistaken for one of the millions of refugees trying to find a place under the European skies. Bollywood meets French literature meets European road movies meets refugees drama meets Hollywood. It's a mix that works only to some point.
What I liked. The mix of innocence and bravura of the hero is well served by the acting of Dhanush. Cultural differences are treated with a light comical touch and some of them succeed beyond the stereotypes. The funniest scene that takes place in the immigration office at the English airport and it's gorgeous, combining music and dance in a way that reminds Bollywood but also the Hollywood musicals. The way the European prejudices towards people whom they suspect are refugees because they look different makes its point without being too obvious or insistent. And 'a real fake passport' is a bright line.
What I liked less. The use of off-screen voice is excessive and pretentious. True, the film brings to screen a novel, but there are better ways to do it than have the character read text. The way the refugees and their dramas are presented is schematic. The romantic story is not credible - not in the way it starts and especially not in the way it ends.
'The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir' tries to make its audiences feel well while dealing with serious topics. For me, at some moments it succeeded, at other it was boring. With less caution and more sharpness in the comical approach it could have been a better film. As it stands it belongs to the category 'only if you have nothing else better to do'.
What I liked. The mix of innocence and bravura of the hero is well served by the acting of Dhanush. Cultural differences are treated with a light comical touch and some of them succeed beyond the stereotypes. The funniest scene that takes place in the immigration office at the English airport and it's gorgeous, combining music and dance in a way that reminds Bollywood but also the Hollywood musicals. The way the European prejudices towards people whom they suspect are refugees because they look different makes its point without being too obvious or insistent. And 'a real fake passport' is a bright line.
What I liked less. The use of off-screen voice is excessive and pretentious. True, the film brings to screen a novel, but there are better ways to do it than have the character read text. The way the refugees and their dramas are presented is schematic. The romantic story is not credible - not in the way it starts and especially not in the way it ends.
'The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir' tries to make its audiences feel well while dealing with serious topics. For me, at some moments it succeeded, at other it was boring. With less caution and more sharpness in the comical approach it could have been a better film. As it stands it belongs to the category 'only if you have nothing else better to do'.
Its a beautiful journey from India to paris!
pencilero21 November 2018
Did not read the book but by the looks of it, the movie is soothing to watch. pretty much touched all the emotions I have! it's a no brainer! Very much colorful and very much a live movie! I recommend to watch it. You will have a good refreshment!
The writer was mugged, the film bares very little resemblance to the original
housebhome10 June 2018
SPOILER: I was so looking forward to this film, I read the original story in French and laughed and cried all the way through it. Very very little of the original story is here. Marie wasn't a young American, she was an older French lady. In the book, the Gitan taxi community chased him mercilessly and resulted in the biggest comedy moments of the story, and the refugee story was more delicately and heart breakingly dealt with by Romain Puertolas. None of this was in the film. It was shamelessly hollywood-ised....Such a massive disappointment for what is a left of center fantasy based story. The phrase "Loosely based on the book" applies here...read only a nod to the original story.
Great movie
lxj19747 October 2018
Lovely, sweet and Enjoyable
shivamgupta-6955415 October 2018
This movie is directed by Spanish director and he seems quite good in his work. The way he has summoned up the culture of both the countries is commendable. To be very honest, the movie has no story at all but the journey is beautiful no doubt. It is a journey of small fakir who does small tricks for living in the streets of India and how he ended up going to Paris to find his father whom he never met. This is the journey of Aja aka Ajatashatru Lavash Patel. Do watch it guys. It has some flaws like there is no actor or actress seem acting except Dhanush. But still it is good.
Loved the movie!
tamil_stylish30 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
We were waiting for this movie for a long time, especially to see Dhanush acting with french actors! We've been lucky to get the tickets and watch this movie as a preview at Grand Rex Paris! The atsmosphere and the storyline provided by the movie made us feel a lot.
We loved the dance scene in Rome with Berenice Bejo, and the funny scenes with Gérard Jugnot, who by the way played his role with perfection as always.
To sum up, if you want to watch a good movie with your family or friends, please don't hesitate!
We loved the dance scene in Rome with Berenice Bejo, and the funny scenes with Gérard Jugnot, who by the way played his role with perfection as always.
To sum up, if you want to watch a good movie with your family or friends, please don't hesitate!
Likeable but not as original as it wanted to be.
sagadanielsson21 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this movie. It was a heartwarming and entertaining journey. My problem with this movie besides a lot of exposition is that "looking for a girl over the world" is a clichè we have seen too many times. I think the story would have benefited from even more background and a better insight into the relationship between him and his mother and the search for his father. However, people should watch this movie. It has many interesting aspects and the trip is worth it.
Beautiful feelgood movie
shaundavidgeorge3 February 2019
Missed opportunity for a really good film
MazzyMayhem-117-5445112 September 2020
If you have nothing then do it.. Otherwise look for better option.
owaissiddiqui-291066 October 2018
The movie is stupid.. Like the script tried to be everything from an old bollywood sad classic to an colorful hollywood funky movie but it failed in everything.. Except the lead.. All charachters seems like they are not getting paid for this or they can't act... So just skip it.. Why i watched it.. Its saturday and i had nothing to watch..
Join the 'Fakir' on his journey
tanujpoddar30 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Before watching the movie I didn't know that it was based on a book. It seems to be an extraordinary story and one that keeps you engaged through out. Dhanush brings the much needed energy into the movie as the protagonist. He travels from the slums of Mumbai to Paris, falls in love with someone at the first place he visits, before being transported in a truck to London, only to be extradited in a flight to Spain, from where he escapes to reach Italy trapped in a cargo. There he becomes a millionaire, who flies off in a hot air ballon to land on a pirate ship that takes him to Libya and then from there he comes back to Paris and then back to India.
The twist and turns that make this extraordinary journey possible are not logical at times but still make the plot interesting and keeps the viewers engaged. Some parts like the romantic relationship that he pursues seem a little unconvincing, but other than that it is a fun movie, which is entertaining for most parts.
The twist and turns that make this extraordinary journey possible are not logical at times but still make the plot interesting and keeps the viewers engaged. Some parts like the romantic relationship that he pursues seem a little unconvincing, but other than that it is a fun movie, which is entertaining for most parts.
It's actually quite an ordinary trip.
Tejas_Vinda_AITS21 June 2019
Starring - Dhanush as (Ajatshatru - Aja)
Tamil movie actor and producer Dhanush makes his English-language debut as a Mumbai street magician who travels to Paris to look for his father.
Dhanush named Ajatshatru Lavash Patel has a heart of gold and a solid purpose.
Along the way, Ajatshatru ends up getting a tour of Europe's most photogenic cities.
He falls in love, discovers a community of immigrants and asylum seekers.
The movie is a bit slow and dull in some parts but it is dhanush who make this flick watchable.
The story of the movie contains every element of being a perfect entertainer but the director and script writter are failure to showcase it in some parts and of course in some parts both of them are winners but with more care and good execution the makers could have made a perfect entertainer out of the novel "The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe"(The movie is based on this novel).
The Movie could have been a better journey if it had more laughs and some real magic. But then it ends up as an average attempt .., trying to convey the message of "Karma" with hardly any inspiration.
Tamil movie actor and producer Dhanush makes his English-language debut as a Mumbai street magician who travels to Paris to look for his father.
Dhanush named Ajatshatru Lavash Patel has a heart of gold and a solid purpose.
Along the way, Ajatshatru ends up getting a tour of Europe's most photogenic cities.
He falls in love, discovers a community of immigrants and asylum seekers.
The movie is a bit slow and dull in some parts but it is dhanush who make this flick watchable.
The story of the movie contains every element of being a perfect entertainer but the director and script writter are failure to showcase it in some parts and of course in some parts both of them are winners but with more care and good execution the makers could have made a perfect entertainer out of the novel "The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an Ikea Wardrobe"(The movie is based on this novel).
The Movie could have been a better journey if it had more laughs and some real magic. But then it ends up as an average attempt .., trying to convey the message of "Karma" with hardly any inspiration.
Not what I hoped for
inspirelake28 January 2024
This should have been totally captivating but many segments fell short. The romance didn't feel real but forced and out of tune, like it was the part of the story that was meant to captivate us but it definitely didn't. A scene with a police officer in England was so utterly STUPID although it was meant to be entertaining. No, it wasn't. A flatmate experimenting with her identity wasn't interesting although I'm sure it was meant to captivate us and didn't work. The only actor I felt carried their weight well was the lead and even he felt flat, like he was dragging a wet tyre around and out of puff. Not a bad film but should have been great and wasn't. I wouldn't watch it again but it's ok for a couple of hours of eating chips and scratching.
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