Critics' report: Sunny Leone shines, script lackluster in Jism 2

Sunny Leone is the USP of the film and impresses as an actor. The story of Jism 2 unfolds at a leisurely pace, which shouldn't be the case if it's meant to be a thriller. The strikingly composed and lit frames add to the film's strengths, feel critics.

Sunny Leone is the USP of the film and impresses as an actor. The story of Jism 2 unfolds at a leisurely pace, which shouldn't be the case if it's meant to be a thriller. The strikingly composed and lit frames add to the film's strengths, feel critics.

"Although Jism 2 is the second installment of the 2003 hit that starred Bipasha Basu and John Abraham, there's a huge disparity between the two films. Jism 2 is visually stunning, the aesthetics are just right, but the voyage of a woman from the lust bazaar who markets desire is far from perfect. The lackluster screenplay of Jism 2 is its biggest undoing!" writes Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama.

"Mahesh Bhatt just keeps the basic ingredients to make a potboiler. Not much of the script or story make sense, but they’re just scenes for letting Sunny Leone do what she does best. The holes in his story and script would make a sieve blush," feels Roshni Devi, Koimoi.com.

"Jism-2 is a sexy movie - but it's not as dirty a picture as you might expect. Surprisingly, Jism-2 hovers over sex, like a butterfly gliding across one of the many water pools the movie features. The few times the film does jump in, it lands in the shallow end. That's despite a hot start featuring amply-endowed Izna (Leone), all red lingerie, glistening high heels, tight suspenders and generous cleavage, riding intelligence bureau (IB) officer Ayaan (Singh) on a hotel room bed. The film's first make-out scene thus firmly embedded in its first three minutes, Izna wakes to a hangover and an offer," writes Srijana Mitra Das, TOI.

Sunny Leone, Arunoday Singh get steamy

Sunny arrives as an actor

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"The star of the show is, without doubt, Sunny Leone. People are looking forward to watching Jism 2 for Sunny, erotica and a generous dose of skin show, in that order. In fact, a wide section of moviegoers might frequent the cineplexes to watch Sunny alone, but for another segment it could be erotica. As the reels unfold, you realize that Sunny delivers as an actor. Unfortunately, the script doesn't," says Adarsh.

"Sunny Leone is dazzling to look at and has an incredible body, but does she deliver as an actress? To start with, Pooja has, very smartly, cast her as a seductress. Sunny's gestures, body language, erotic scenes and sex appeal are, unquestionably, far more seasoned than most divas, who restrain a sort of hesitation when it comes to steamy scenes. She is scorching hot in Jism 2 and takes the heat percentage to an altogether different level. Sunny's maiden attempt at acting comes across as confident and charming, but, at the same time, there is scope for improvement, especially during the emotional moments, adds the trade expert.

"Jism-2 offers several surprises, foremost being Leone's performance. As the dazzling, yet dazed Izna, Leone pulls off a tricky act that showcases both her eyes and bust in equal measure. At times, you forget Leone's physical assets, especially when she seals the film with a dynamite closing line. Sunny may be honey-trap - but despite spending most of the movie in plunging night-wear, she conveys delicacy and grace. Hooda's act is jerkier - at times, he gazes at Izna with tenderness you can touch. At others, his head-holding anguish makes you wince. The direction is shaky - in one sequence, Kabir's practically killing a cello with his song, hacking the instrument to the screechy Ishq bhi kiya - but then, according to the IB, he is going insane," says Mitra Das.

"Sunny Leone looks hot beyond doubt and does not disappoint as an actor either, considering Jism 2 is her first Bollywood film. So far so good! Visually, Jism 2 is very good and the locales are beautiful," reports OneIndia.

But there is a counter-view also

"Sunny Leone can barely act. Most of her scenes involve heaving to accentuate her ample bosoms: either pining/worrying for Kabir or in some erotic scene. The tough-officer-in-love does not suit Arunoday Singh and he ends up with unintentionally funny expressions on his face in the emotional scenes. Randeep Hooda is quite good as Kabir, but he mouths too many dialogues through grit-teeth. Arif Zakaria is a joke as Arunoday’s superior," writes Devi.

Too slow to be a thriller

"The other issue is that the story of Jism 2 unfolds at a leisurely pace, which shouldn't be the case if it's meant to be a thriller. Also, it gets too verbose and talk-heavy after a point, with Randeep Hooda's character delivering idealistic lines that test your tolerance. Notwithstanding the blemishes, the fact remains, the curiosity to watch Sunny Leone will act as its savior," feels Adarsh.

"What Jism 2 lacks by way of pace and thrills is amply made up for by the strikingly composed and lit frames, the generally taut editing, a first-rate performance from Hooda and, of course, the rampaging sex appeal of Sunny Leone, who struts around in lacy lingerie, flashing her ample assets and dishing out generous doses of the 'just do it' spirit," says Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV.

Direction

"There's no denying that Pooja Bhatt has extracted an arresting performance from Sunny Leone. But the screenplay plays a complete spoilsport. This could've been a convincing take on obsession, vengeance and infidelity, but there's hardly any movement in the story. Plus, a few questions remain unanswered [How does Sunny get into the porn trade? When does Arunoday have a change of heart and fall in love with Sunny?]. Besides, the film is stretched without much reason in its post-interval portions. Additionally, you don't have compassion for any of the characters, as the film draws to a close," Adarsh writes.

"The film is a male voyeur's delight all right, but director Pooja Bhatt often erases the gender lines by presenting both the lead actors, too, in bare-bodied splendour," feels Chatterjee.

"Pooja Bhatt has done a very good job as the director (even with this hackneyed plot). The movie looks good and doesn’t disappoint those who’ve come to watch Sunny. Vicky Goswami, Arko Pravo Mukherjee and Mithun Sharmav’s music is excellent. Maula and Yeh Jism songs stand out. Editing by Devendra Murdeshwar is alright. Nigam Bomzan’s cinematography is beautiful!" says Devi.

Conclusion

"On the whole, Jism 2 has Sunny Leone as its USP, but the lackluster screenplay and the sluggish pace act as deterrents. However, Sunny Leone in the driver's seat, coupled with a generous dose of skin show and erotica, besides an attention-grabbing title, should act as a honey-trap to lure the audiences. But how one wishes this jism had soul as well!" feels Adarsh.

"Jism 2 is a dark film, but the production design (by Pooja Bhatt herself) and the luminous lighting do not belong to the 'doomed love' genre," concludes Chatterjee.

"On the whole, Jism 2 has Sunny Leone as its USP, but the lackluster screenplay and the sluggish pace act as deterrents. However, Sunny Leone in the driver's seat, coupled with a generous dose of skin show and erotica, besides an attention-grabbing title, should act as a honey-trap to lure the audiences. But how one wishes this jism had soul as well!" says Devi.

Twitter review

IBNLiveMovies #Jism2 appears glossy. Cinematography has been done with good imagination. #tweetreview

IBNLiveMovies Randeep Hooda shows his intense acting skills in a badly written scene.

IBNLiveMovies Sensuous Sunny Leone appears in style. Though #Jism2 looks like a 1980s film due to its plot.

Sunny Leone, Arunoday Singh get steamy