Vishnu gives lift to a young boy (Mohammed Faizal Usmani), a migrating mechanic (Satish Kaushik) and a gypsy woman (Tannishtha Chatterjee). Soon he realizes that his tattered truck also houses a touring cinema. Do not expect any innovative story emerging from the functioning of the transportable theatre. The portable projector hardly plays for a couple of times in the film, of which one is a part of an extended dream sequence.

So then where does this road lead to? Like Dev Benegal’s decade-old release Split Wide Open , even Road Movie attempts to expose a water mafia – this time in the deserts of Rajasthan. An infamous water lord (Yashpal Sharma) illegally operates in the drought-struck desert leaving the poor with no water. Is this another calculated attempt to showcase India as a land of poverty-stricken, hungry and (in this case even) ‘thirsty’ mortals to the world audience? Further, believe-it-or-faint but the director attempts to pull off a parody in the climax where the hero trades off water for homemade hair oil with the dreaded desert-don. The sudden spoof doesn’t go in sync with the mood of the film and, rather, looks ludicrous in the scheme of things.

The pacing is sluggish for a road flick and Dev Benegal’s screenplay is bland, lacking basic level drama. The characters lack depth and the gypsy woman and the young boy are undefined to the extent that they remain nameless till the end credits. The direction is not abstract but a lot is left to your imagination. Especially the romance track between Abhay and Tannishtha is almost intangible and a shoved smooch scene doesn’t incite any chemistry between the two.

A fun-fair amidst deep desert brings hope of lightening the dull and dry proceedings, as the touring cinema truck is put to use. But soon the Cinema Paradiso promise is cut short with the entire setup turning out to be a dream sequence... or rather a nightmare. Expectedly the end is abrupt and open though you lose direction on this road much before reaching the destination. The only redeeming factor is some funny lines and scenes that click to an extent, thanks to the good comic timing of the actors.

The cinematography by Michel Amathieu is striking as he captures the virgin barren lands of Kutch and Jaisalmer with élan in his camera. But repetitive external shots of the desert façade add monotony to the film. Michael Brook has a Western Curry influence in his background score. The art and costume design is decent. The remixed version of the classic song ‘ Tel Malish ’ is passable.

Abhay Deol has had an impressive lineage of films to his credit so far. Road, Movie happens to be his first incoherent choice. Satish Kaushik is commendable in his character. Tannishtha Chatterjee is notable in the scene where she sings an impromptu number in the desert. Mohammed Faizal Usmani doesn’t get much scope. Yashpal Sharma does his regular act.

As the film comes to an end, Abhay Deol indulges in a tel malish (head massage) act onscreen. One would need an equally stimulating tel malish on watching this garbled movie. This road leads to nowhere. It simply takes you for a ride.

Now to the review! Either the film works or it doesn't. It's all about the story and how convincingly the storyteller narrates it. If the story is absorbing, you can't take your eyes off screen. If it isn't, you break into a yawn, you fidget with your cell phone, you start looking at all places, except the screen.

What you're attempting to say, is important. But how many people actually follow what you're saying, is even more important. ROAD, MOVIE narrates the journey of a young man and the people he encounters on his way. But the problem is, what is ROAD, MOVIE trying to say? You're clueless!

Is it about the water mafia? Is it about a touring cinema? Is it a love story between an educated youth and a gypsy? Is it a road movie? The sole factor that stands out in this film is its breath-taking locations/visuals. They are more striking than the story. And that's the sad truth!

Also, why is it that India is often projected as a land of snake charmers, as a poverty-stricken, hunger-stricken, drought-stricken country with beggars and slums all around? Is that what India is, in their eyes? Is this what we are trying to sell to the West and the world in general? That's really sad!

Final word? ROAD, MOVIE caters to a very, very, very, very tiny section of movie-going audience, who have an appetite for 'festival films'.

Vishnu [Abhay Deol], a restless young man, itches to escape his father's faltering hair oil business. An old truck beckons, which Vishnu sees as his ticket to freedom. As he sets off across the harsh terrain of desert India, he discovers he's not merely transporting a battered vehicle, but an old touring cinema.

Along the way, Vishnu reluctantly picks up a young runaway [Mohammed Faizal Usmani], a wandering old entertainer [Satish Kaushik] and a gypsy woman [Tannishtha Chatterjee]. Together they roam in the barren land, searching for water and an elusive fair. The journey turns dire when they are waylaid by corrupt cops and a notorious water lord.

ROAD, MOVIE starts off very well, but loses focus midway. Abhay's interaction with the kid and also Satish Kaushik is thoroughly enjoyable. But as the story unfolds, the movie loses its grip and starts going in circles. The plot works till Abhay and Satish screen the movie for the cop, but the portions thereafter aren't engaging, except for a sequence or two in between.

The portions depicting the fair leaves you confused. Was it for real or a dream sequence? Also, the sequence with the water mafia [Yashpal Sharma] is absurd. This sequence - when Abhay trades off water for hair oil - doesn't gel well with the mood of the film. Even the romantic track between Abhay and Tannishtha looks far from convincing. The finale too lacks clarity and the remix version of 'Tel Maalish' is hardly there.

Director Dev Benegal seems to have concentrated more on visuals than narrating a gripping story. Frankly, the story is so fragile that it's difficult to hold your attention in those 90 odd minutes. The screenplay is bland and what makes it worse is the fact that the plot unravels at a lethargic pace. Dialogues are well worded at places.

Abhay Deol is a complete natural and this film proves it yet again. Satish Kaushik is first-rate. Mohammed Faizal Usmani impresses. Tannishtha Chatterjee does well. Yashpal Sharma is wasted. Virendra Saxena is efficient.

On the whole, ROAD, MOVIE is more for the festival circuit and some connoisseurs of art house cinema, who may savour it. That's about it!