Clap Movie Release Sony LIV MAR 11th (Sony LIV OTT)
Clap has got a familiar story. Sports Dramas in Indian Cinema is more about the different sports with underdogs placing different problems. Here we have athletics and a former player who had to go for amputation of his leg but continuously battles the complex of it.
Aadhi feeling the pain of a non-existing leg is the novel factor of this story. However, the familiar story is not the problem with Clap. Even in such films, the director could connect the audience with good emotions and gripping sports problems. But clap could not do that. For every scene, we feel that the story is routine and can easily predict what is coming.
The first half of the film is boring. We have a hero who is suffering inside and there is no movement whatsoever in the story. The director enters into the actual business only when the hero goes to the village to meet the girl. The subsequent rejections by coaches and his decision to become the coach himself form the pre-interval and interval sequences which are relatively okay.
The second half of the film is comparatively better. Winning a race and the treachery that follows keep the audience interested. But then, the racing portions do not excite the audience as much as they should. We also find the ‘politics’ portions very predictable.
Naturally, in underdog stories, the audience should connect to the pain and also get immersed in the journey to victory. But that does not happen. For that reason, we find the film lengthy even though it is just around 130 minutes. There are a couple of moments towards the end which moves a bit. But they are not of changing the experience.
Finally, Clap has a familiar but honest subject. It is backed by some good performances but the story lacks the depth and emotional connection for a sports drama to work.
