Patiala House is the story of a 34 year old Ex-Fast Bowler who has a stubborn, control freak father who has decided that his son will not play for England. The son doesn't play and runs a Department Store. Because of his father's attitude, All in the family convince him to go for trials and play for the country so that his father could let them live their dreams as well. This is the basic storyline with about 20 odd family members whom you can hardly remember or associate with.
The movie had a pretty interesting cast as well as the storyline but the script and direction killed it. The movie has its moments here and there, but they are far and few. You start enjoying the movie and suddenly it falls flat. Then it picks up and then again falls. In the end you are unable to decide whether you like this movie or hate it. There is nothing great to love, but there is nothing irritating about it so you don't hate it too. You somehow are 'just about satisfied' with how the things turn out.
The high point of the movie is Rishi Kapoor. He delivers an absolute cracker of a performance. You hardly expect him to play a stubborn sardaar ji and he does it with so much elan that you almost hate him for being himself. Deserves a nomination as the 'Best Villain' this year already i say. Anushka Sharma is pretty good too. She does well in her cute role and doesn't feel too crazily bubbly as well. Akshay Kumar was a waste since he hardly fits the soft spoken, scared middle aged son's character. There is a new guy who plays Akshay's cousin (Puneet) is a newcomer to watch out for. I could see streaks of Prashant and KK Menon in his cameo.
The music (apart from a song or two) is absolutely rubbish. The background score wasn't too great either. Nikhil Advani seems to have his Kal Ho na ho hangover still and it was quite obvious in more than a couple of scenes. It looks like a Kal Ho Na Ho family in UK (in place of US). Could have made a pretty amazing movie out of the subject given the performances but it just is a 'decent' movie.
Overall : An Average movie which offers a few 'worth watching' moments but nothing great to write home about except Rishi Kapoor's performance. Feel Good movie which may be watched (but only once) with family.
Feel-O-Meter: 6/10
Food for Thought: I think casting akshay was the biggest mistake. If only, there was (say) Hrithik Roshan in the lead role it could have been a different movie altogether. You like to see Akshay as a Macho Man doing wonders/stunts rather than being a meek soft spoken guy. I think Hrithik could have played the transformation bit very convincingly.