Movie review: ‘Break Ke Baad’

“Break Ke Baad” (“After the Break”) is a slick, savvy Bollywood romantic comedy that comes across as downright Western — for better and for worse.

It’s mostly for the better, as its surprisingly modern depiction of young adult relationships suits the believable performances of charming leads Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone. Khan’s Abhay, son of a cinema owner, and Padukone’s Aaliya, his classmate and free spirit, are perfectly suited childhood sweethearts — her wildness keeps his steadiness afloat. But while aspiring actress Aaliya is dazzling, gorgeous and ambitious, she’s also selfish and shortsighted (read: young). Abhay, meanwhile, is devoted to distraction and plays the good son to a fault. When Aaliya leaves to study in Australia for a year, their lifelong relationship threatens to come apart.

And so does the movie. Until that point, “Break Ke Baad” is outstanding, with clever dialogue and sympathetic characters. It succeeds where so many romantic comedies fail: It makes us believe these two belong together. After the separation begins, though, their foibles — his dogged adoration, her self-absorption — become off-putting. Considering how engaging and honest the performances are, it’s a shame the script digs so deep a hole that it takes good old Hollywood epiphanies to save the day.

Romcom fans might consider that a quibble; the actors are winning and the film is fun, fast-paced and occasionally meta, with all its film references (Shah Rukh Khan admirers will be amused). But one should have some acid rock or other curative ready in the car to purge the über-catchy closing song.

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