1st, the good news: Film noir is not dead. This neo-noir, released without fanfare of any kind, & perhaps destined for a week's run at best, is a very good reason to be a fan of good cinema, & optimistic about the state of independent cinema locally.
& what started, imho, for Ranvir Shorey, ages ago, with him making for a most unconventional lead, especially in local fare, seems to be in his comfort zone anyway with each new carefully-chosen flick of his, including this one, which could be classified as a spiritual sequel of sorts, to the magnificent 'Mithya' (& no, I'm not forgetting his powerful turn as 1 of the darkest characters he's player in lady year's neo-noir classic, 'Titli'). Not just because of his reunion with his costar from that one, the always magnificent-yet- understated Neha Dhupia (who, in addition to Mithya, was also fabulous in 1:40 ki last local, another neo-noir, but 1 that combined oodles of dark humor within the same structure).
So, other than this being a neo-noir, what it does well, is in terms of providing consistent characterization even for its smallest characters.
Another thing it does well is in highlighting minor things as well, like the comment about almonds at a point. Normal, day- to-day people talking, or voicing their inner monologues, subject to interpretation.
Also the way it unfolds it's minimalistic twists is subtle. The director, Munish Bhardwaj, is definitely 1 to watch out for.
The production/set design, cinematography and other technical values remain in the background, serving the narrative well. The score, on use other hand, imho, seemed a tad too understated for my preference. The makers would've done well to take a page from the (excellent) recent Bengali neo-noir work, 'Saheb Bibi Golaam', in this regard.
The flaws are few (see above, plus, for example, 1 of the leads' spectacle frames is diverting in 1 scene, the title also is too on the nose & not too memorable, imho), & never detract from the main tale, which, for all its predictability, packs a surprise or two, &, what's most important, it never takes its audience for granted.
The characterizations are also augmented by depictions of real relationships, mostly in the grey zone, with an underpinning of very real romance, which, to me, was as refreshing as manyof the other good things about this, along with being completely unexpected.
Definitely not to be missed, & worth multiple viewings.
& what started, imho, for Ranvir Shorey, ages ago, with him making for a most unconventional lead, especially in local fare, seems to be in his comfort zone anyway with each new carefully-chosen flick of his, including this one, which could be classified as a spiritual sequel of sorts, to the magnificent 'Mithya' (& no, I'm not forgetting his powerful turn as 1 of the darkest characters he's player in lady year's neo-noir classic, 'Titli'). Not just because of his reunion with his costar from that one, the always magnificent-yet- understated Neha Dhupia (who, in addition to Mithya, was also fabulous in 1:40 ki last local, another neo-noir, but 1 that combined oodles of dark humor within the same structure).
So, other than this being a neo-noir, what it does well, is in terms of providing consistent characterization even for its smallest characters.
Another thing it does well is in highlighting minor things as well, like the comment about almonds at a point. Normal, day- to-day people talking, or voicing their inner monologues, subject to interpretation.
Also the way it unfolds it's minimalistic twists is subtle. The director, Munish Bhardwaj, is definitely 1 to watch out for.
The production/set design, cinematography and other technical values remain in the background, serving the narrative well. The score, on use other hand, imho, seemed a tad too understated for my preference. The makers would've done well to take a page from the (excellent) recent Bengali neo-noir work, 'Saheb Bibi Golaam', in this regard.
The flaws are few (see above, plus, for example, 1 of the leads' spectacle frames is diverting in 1 scene, the title also is too on the nose & not too memorable, imho), & never detract from the main tale, which, for all its predictability, packs a surprise or two, &, what's most important, it never takes its audience for granted.
The characterizations are also augmented by depictions of real relationships, mostly in the grey zone, with an underpinning of very real romance, which, to me, was as refreshing as manyof the other good things about this, along with being completely unexpected.
Definitely not to be missed, & worth multiple viewings.