Speedy Singhs - Movie Review

The ice hockey team Speedy Singhs scores several goals in the movie, and it does reach near the goal post of our expectations as well. But, closing in on the goal and scoring a snorter are two different things! Speedy Singhs takes some good shots that cannon off the crossbar by just a narrow margin. The intent was correct, but somehow it didn’t click as much as we would have wanted it to.

The movie revolves around Rajveer Singh (Vinay Virmani), a youthful boy who is torn between his father’s expectations and his own dreams. Now, this is the main problem! There is too much of a similarity between the plot of Speedy Singhs and Patiala House! Rather than tracking the life of Rajveer Singh, at certain points, we felt that the movie was tracking the life of Kaali, played by Akshay Kumar in the Bollywood clunker Patiala House (the only difference being that Vinay holds an ice hockey stick in his hand while Akshay held a cricket ball!). If that is novelty, then pray tell us what isn’t!

Anupam Kher, too, like Rishi Kapoor in Patiala House, plays the disapproving father. As in Patiala House, in Speedy Singhs, too, Vinay’s father is not told about his son being in the team, or rather captaining the Sikhs ice hockey team (Speedy Singhs)! And at the end, the father finally comes to the stadium and watches his son play and win the match! Oh come on; this is not a spoiler! The movie is as predictable as the sun rising every morning!

Ok, now too much of bashing done! Speedy Singhs has its good points too. The movie brings in the feelgood factor along with it, which though does not entertain you tremendously, but still keeps you from getting bored.

The scenes where Rajveer tries to woo Melissa (Camilla Belle) and she taunts him back are kinda cute! Rajveer, who is forced into his family business owned by his chacha/uncle (Gurpreet Guggi), drives a truck as a part of his job. Melissa taunts him by saying that she neither dates truck drivers, nor hockey players! Rajveer, the youthful smart guy, replies saying he’ll leave both of them for her. Melissa, the even smarter girl, counters him back and says she never dates the ones who leave their responsibilities! Aww… Anyhow, the whole Punjabi touch and humour does crack you up at times!

We HAVE TO mention an entertaining scene here! Speedy Singhs’ goalkeeper writes the name Reema, the girl he has a crush on but who is getting married to Sonu (Russell Peters), on his sporting equipments! Reema written on the mask was fine, but even on the athletic cup (genitals guard), jeez!

Anyhow, speaking about the performances by the actors, Vinay Virmani looks and acts just fine, and does a satisfactory job as a debutant! Camilla Belle is pretty creditable and looks simply spectacular in the film. Rob Lowe, as Milessa’s brother and Coach Dan Winters, though doesn’t have much to offer, gives an acceptable performance! Anupam Kher as always does justice to his role. And last but not the least; Russell Peters chips in a bit of wicked humour.

The music of Speedy Singhs is impressive! With Shera di kaum Punjabi and Ni aaja ve, the album has some decent dancing numbers.

Coming to direction, Robert Lieberman could have done a better job! Not once was I inspired to stand and applaud Speedy Singhs scoring a goal! As a sports film, the movie lacked that verve.

Overall, Speedy Singhs can be watched once! Don’t set your expectations too high, and you shall come out with a smile! We give the movie half-a-star extra for Akshay Kumar’s cameo and Shera di Kaum Punjabi!