Familiar magic and love
The title of Bollywood import “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic” translates to “A Little Love, a Little Magic,” but it could just as well have been “A Little Mary Poppins, a Little Wings of Desire.” As obvious as the film’s uncredited sources are, however, it’s a pleasant-enough diversion with a notable song score.
A successful but cold businessman (Saif Ali Khan) suddenly finds he must care for four orphans with reason to hate him. Luckily for the plot, a magical nanny (Rani Mukerji) arrives on a rainbow.
Khan and Mukerji are stars in India, and their performances come complete with the familiar Bollywood sheen. The kids are just fine, with smatterings of mischievous charm.
The film’s greatest strength is its fine music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Prasoon Joshi.
The songs are suitable backings for the obligatory dance extravaganzas but are also catchy with memorable lyrics -- in translation, anyway.
-- Michael Ordona
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“Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic.” MPAA rating: Unrated. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes. In Hindi with English subtitles. In limited release.
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