Mili Movie Analysis: Janhvi Shines in This Survival Drama

A gripping survival drama thriller with standout performances by Janhvi Kapoor, Sunny Kaushal, and Manoj Pahwa.


Directed by: Mathukutty Xavier
Imdb link -> Mili (2022) - IMDb

"thande aansun peena hoga, phir bhi tujhko jeena hoga..”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot of Mili: A True Story of Survival in Tough Conditions

Based on true events, the story is about Mili Naudiyal (Janhvi Kapoor), a 24-year-old girl who works at Doon's Kitchen in a Pacific Mall of Dehradun. One night, after the end of her shift, she accidentally gets locked in the freezer room with no one outside to rescue her. Knowing she has to survive at least 6-7 hours, if not more, before the kitchen opens in the morning, she must find a way to stay alive somehow in a temperature as low as minus 17 degrees.

Manoj Pahwa and Janhvi Kapoor Delight to Watch

Having not seen the original 'Helen,' I won't make any comparisons. The initial portions of the movie are fun to watch because of the great father-daughter bonding between Mili and her father, Niranjan Naudiyal (Manoj Pahwa). The use of 'Aap' and 'Hum' while talking to each other is something I really like. Some might find it old-fashioned or criticize that no one talks like that, but I personally enjoy it since the 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' days.

Amazing Build-Up: Mili’s Emotional Low Point

Before the scary incident happens, I like how the emotional drama is built up, leaving no stone unturned, making everyone affected by what is to happen really angry at themselves for behaving like that. We see Mili's father not talking to her ever since he learned about her affair with a different caste guy, Sameer Kumar (Sunny Kaushal), and some embarrassment faced while getting her home from the police station. Mili isn't willing to talk to Sameer anymore because of his irresponsible attitude that landed them in the police station the previous night when he drove without a helmet and had consumed some alcohol. On the day Mili gets trapped in the freezer room, she gets scolded by the manager and later taunted by him again for eating food, which she then throws away, not knowing that energy would have come in handy later on.

All of this is very good writing and makes you feel more for Mili and her well-wishers when they are all trying to find her. The entire freezer scenes are beautifully handled. I won't question a single thing that Mili tries to free herself because, honestly, if I got stuck in there, I would lose my mind even in 5 degrees cold. It was very tough to watch the part where she injures her foot and tries to use her nursing experience to help herself. I also enjoyed the little bonding she has with the rat, trying to keep it alive for as long as she could.

Issues in Mili: Irritating Inspector and Forced Conflicts

Some unwanted hiccups spoil the movie. There seem to be a few hallucination scenes because clearly staying even one hour in over -10 degrees would lead to the mind going blank and insane thoughts arriving. The inspector part was overdone; it felt unnecessary to see him not send the location just to show how corrupt some policemen can be or to let a certain cameo of Jackie Shroff come in, which felt so out of place.

Conflicts are necessary in survival-based movies, but there are too many here. If the bad cop wasn't enough, we see Sameer, who knows where Mili is stuck, go through an accident to delay saving Mili further. Also, when they all find Mili in the freezer room, it was poorly written to show none of them had the sense to quickly take her out of the room before checking if she was alive, as she was fighting the cold and needed to be out of it ASAP.

Janhvi Kapoor with Another Impressive Performance

Performance-wise, Janhvi Kapoor delivers another good performance, even though it's not at the level I felt in Gunjan Saxena. It's a very challenging role, and I like that she is taking up such movies. In fact, she hasn't yet done a routine masala genre movie, which many new actresses love to be part of.

Sunny Kaushal is also very good in the supporting role. I have seen him in just 'Gold' before this. It's good to see Vikram Kochhar in a slightly different role; he still gets some comic moments. Sanjay Suri is efficient in the final act of the film.

AR Rahman Music: Not Great, But Works with Narrative

The music of AR Rahman, even though not as special as we are used to, still fits well with the narrative, especially the 'Jeena Hoga' track that shows Mili fighting until her last possible breath. I also like how the 'Hum Bhi Raahi' song is used in the opening credits, where we see an ant freely moving until it accidentally falls into the ice-cube tray, a metaphor for what Mili is soon going to face. The background theme that runs when Mili is locked inside the freezer room is pretty good too, though not 'Trapped' level good.

Verdict on Mili

Overall, 'Mili' is a very good survival thriller movie with performances from Janhvi Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa, and Sunny Kaushal lifting the narrative even more. Some flaws aside, I quite enjoyed it.

Rating: 7.5/10

Also, Check Out Movie Analysis of Nope

Nope Movie Analysis: Jordan Peele’s Alien Story Attempt

Jordan Peele's decent attempt at an unconventional alien invasion story, but weakened by a lackluster third act.

Directed by: Jordan Peele

Imdb link -> Nope (2022) - IMDb

" What's a bad miracle? ”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer Discover a UFO Ship

The Haywood siblings—OJ (Daniel Kaluuya) and Emerald (Keke Palmer)—discover a UFO encounter over their ranch in Agua Dulce Valley, California. Eager to capture the 'Oprah shot' and earn fame and fortune, they have little idea of the alien ship's true intentions.

This sci-fi horror mystery explores themes of exploitation and human greed throughout the narrative. The Gordy 'Chimp' story is particularly effective. The movie begins with a birthday TV show event that turns chilling with background noises suggesting an attack on everyone present. It's creepy, with most details wisely left unseen.

It's ironic to see Ricky "Jupe" Park (Steven Yeun), a survivor of the Gordy incident, now exploiting his own tragedy for money. During his live show 'The Starlight Lasso Experience,' he faces another beast—an alien—feeding it horses he bought from OJ. Jupe believes he's protected by God again, unaware he just got lucky the first time.

Expectedly, there's a character, Antlers Holst (Michael Wincott), who gets greedy for the fame shot, resulting in his demise. Meanwhile, Angel Torres (Brandon Perea) plays a supportive role, intelligently taking precautions to avoid the hungry alien (or extraterrestrial creature).

Issue in Nope: Oprah Shot Subplot is Too Long

The alien plot is a mixed bag. Initially, it maintains a mysterious feel, but once revealed, the entire ship as a single alien behind a stationary cloud, the following scenes lack the expected intensity. The 'Oprah shot' subplot drags too long. A more thrilling final act, focusing on escaping the alien's havoc, would have been better.

The movie's social commentary on human carelessness and greed, reminiscent of 'Don't Look Up,' highlights the tendency to exploit dire situations for personal gain rather than ensuring safety.

Verdict on Nope

Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer complement each other perfectly in contrasting roles—Kaluuya as reserved and observant, Palmer as talkative and sometimes silly. Despite their differences, they support each other when it matters most.

Overall, 'Nope' is a likable movie with some trademark Peele-style horrific moments. However, the third act could have been executed differently. I prefer 'Us' and 'Get Out' over this one. Still, I appreciate Peele's unconventional ideas and enjoyed this unique take on aliens, even if the execution wasn't fully satisfying.

Rating: 6/10

Also, Check Out Movie Analysis of Murder Mystery 2

Hit-The First Case Movie Analysis: Pacy but Flawed 2nd Act

A decent watch thanks to Rajkummar Rao and a pacy narrative, but a weak 2nd act and final reveal lets the movie down.

Directed by: Sailesh Kolanu

Imdb link -> Hit: The First Case (2022) - IMDb

" Tujhse sach kabhi chup hi nahi sakta.."

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: Rajkummar Rao as an Investigator Cop

Vikram Jai Singh (Rajkummar Rao), who is suffering from PTSD, on advice from his doctor and girlfriend Neha Mehta (Sanya Malhotra), goes on a few months break from his police duty. A few weeks later, he’s informed about Neha going missing, and soon Vikram realizes that the case is connected with another girl, Preeti Mathur (Rose Khan), who was kidnapped a few months earlier.

Pacy Whodunnit with Rajkummar Rao as Lead

A fast, really fast-paced whodunnit crime drama is always great to watch. There are very few distractions; the romantic angle is actually underdone, while the songs never feel unnecessary, plus they are used in small portions only. Rajkummar Rao, as the lead, plays this character with a past we are never fully told about, making him a cop that is all the time risking his mental health while trying to solve cases. He does a great job in each and every frame.

Weak Writing and Climax in Hit: The First Case

It’s the small choices that the writing team makes that spoil the movie, and I am not yet talking about the big reveal in the end. For instance, why would a neighbor divorcee, Sheela (Shilpa Shukla), who’s been friendly with Preeti, suddenly decide to get attention by sending a handwritten note about the body? Are some people so out of order that they would risk police torture just to get some limelight?

Then, there was that unnecessary death of Ibrahim (Milind Gunaji), who’s been one of the main suspects all along, which I felt was brilliantly done in the screenplay (even the trailer cut suggests that he may be involved). Yet, in that night rain scene, we see him for no reason go missing only to come back and get hit by a bullet. If that wasn’t enough, we see this other cop, who has always been boring you with the rivalry, suddenly appear out of nowhere to save Vikram’s life.

Coming to the climax, I felt the reason for the murder and the murderer both were good, and even the motive was understandable. For me, she didn’t appear silly; people can be obsessive, and in love, that obsession can lead anywhere. She even kills her accidentally. Where it misfires is that the character in question is seen so little in the narrative, which feels like cheating. Most of the best whodunnits feature the character who commits the crime present at least 70% of the time on screen, so you can’t guess it right.

Sanya Malhotra also gets very little screen time, and her character is mostly used to confuse the narrative rather than to do anything else. Dalip Tahil and Akhil Iyer are good in their supporting roles.

Verdict on Hit: The First Case

Overall, Hit: The First Case is decent because of its pace and the strong lead acting of Rajkummar Rao, but the writing issues are apparent throughout the narrative, especially in the second act, with the final reveal only making it worse.

Rating: 5.5/10

 

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of Dasvi

English Songs Discovered in Unique Ways: Part 2

This week, it’s time to remember two more gems of songs.

Hurt by Johnny Cash 

First Heard in Logan Trailer

Logan Trailer

Full Version Link

Hurt by Johnny Cash - YouTube

Thoughts on Hurt 

A brilliantly cut trailer with this song that told a story of its own about Logan and how well it portrays Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) character. It wasn't a surprise to see so many fan-made edits based on 'Wolverine-Hurt.' And when I heard the whole track, its impact is even deeper. The lines 'What have I become, my sweetest friend? Everyone I know goes away in the end' hit you so hard. A very emotional and depressing track with lyrics that I relate to very easily for the most part.

I wear this crown of thorns upon my liar's chair

full of broken thoughts, I cannot repair...

Familiar by Agnes Obel 

First Heard in Dark Season 1 Episode 3

Dark Season1 Episode 3 Familiar Scene

Original Version Link

Familiar by Agnes Obel - YouTube

Thoughts on Familiar 

Since Dark is my all-time favorite series, it will feature a lot in these posts. 'Familiar' was a track that's used at a point in the 1st season when things were getting very complicated, so this song comes as a relief to help know who is who, but at the same time it also captures the situation of every character at that point brilliantly. Also, it is sort of when I got that feeling that how madly I am going to love this series. The starting tune of the song itself draws you in, and then the vocals of Agnes Obel (including the chorus that sounds like a male voice but is actually Agnes with pitched-down vocals to make it feel like a ghost) talk about unconditional love wanting to go to a place where only you and your lover can be.

And our love is a ghost that the others can't see

It's a danger

Check Out My Previously Posted Songs, Spiraling and Separate Ways

Dasvi Movie Analysis: A lighthearted Abhishek Bacchan movie

A lovely lighthearted movie that tells a story about how important education is even for a minister.

Directed by: Tushar Jalota

Imdb link -> Dasvi (2022) - IMDb

" Yo kitaab badi gazab ki cheez hai madamji, bilkul neend ki davaayi jaise.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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A Comedy Drama Starring Abhishek Bachchan Telling the Importance of Education

Chief Minister Ganga Ram Chaudhary (Abhishek Bachchan) of Harit Pradesh gets arrested in a school-related money scam and is under the supervision of strict lady cop Jyoti Deswal (Yami Gautam) in jail. Meanwhile, he asks his wife Bimla Devi (Nimrat Kaur) to be the new CM in his absence. Ganga Ram develops a keen interest to pass the 10th and starts to study hard for it, while on the other side Bimla Devi gets addicted to power and does not want Ganga Ram back again.

There are many hiccups in the narrative. For instance, the whole Bimla Devi act of becoming evil wasn't fully convincing. Or how much support Ganga Ram gets in jail from even the cop Jyoti felt a little too much. Some songs also loosen out the story, which could have been done away with. Yet, I mostly found myself smiling and enjoying the movie, which also delivers a message about how important education is, even if you are a minister.

Innovative Education Learning Methods in Dasvi

The tutorial ways were my favorite bits, especially how Ganga Ram learns probability, chemistry, and active-passive voice (everyone loves Deepika was hilarious), with references to Taare Zameen Par in Hindi teaching and much more. The history lesson could have avoided making Ganga Ram be part of the past events; that felt unnecessary and silly.

Also, seeing him earn 57% in the results was good. Most writing teams in such scenarios would go overboard as if a miracle would happen and the person would get 80% or more. The scenes involving Jyoti and other junior cop Satpal Tomar (Manu Rishi Chadha's comic timing is top level as always) were fun, especially the 'Woh loomad hai' replied with 'Aur aap sherni'.

Dasvi is Among Abhishek Bachchan’s Career-Best Performances

I also enjoyed Abhishek Bachchan sort of doing 'Joker happy dance' at one moment; I think it was when he told Jyoti that he would do the Dasvi exams. His Haryanvi dialect is up to the mark too, which is actually the case with the entire cast. Definitely can add this among his good performances of his career, more of an entertaining role that he did pretty well.

Yami Gautam is Impressive in Supporting Role

Yami Gautam does a great job; it is very enjoyable how she treats Ganga Ram as not above the law and then helps in his transformation, which as I mentioned before goes slightly too far.

Final Verdict on Dasvi

Overall, Dasvi entertains despite some issues in the narrative. The final end result is still good and a lovely lighthearted movie to watch.

Rating: 7/10

Also, check out my Movie Analysis of Gaslight

Murder Mystery 2 Movie Analysis: Very Few Enjoyable Moments

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston chemistry aside, not even worthy of being a guilty pleasure.

Directed by: Jeremy Garelick

Imdb link -> Murder Mystery (2023) - IMDb

" You've done hostage negotiation ?

I'm married to this lady. Everything's a negotiation. I got it.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot of Murder Mystery 2: Another Whodunnit

Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler) and Audrey Spitz (Jennifer Aniston) have been struggling to make money out of new cases and their failed detective agency after getting famous in their previous chance detective case at their 15th-anniversary vacation. They couldn't have asked for a break at a better time when Maharajah (Adeel Akhtar) invites them to his wedding. We already know what happens when the Spitzes attend an invite; in this case, Maharajah gets kidnapped, and we have another whodunnit.

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston at an Indian Wedding

It was adorable to watch Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston try to dance to Indian wedding songs, with some good music choices like the 'Ghungroo' track from War or some Punjabi ones. Audrey tries to fill her plate full of food and then feels guilty later. Nick and Audrey remember how they gifted flip-flops at their wedding while they are getting new iPhones here. I wish this film had stayed based on the Indian wedding setting and didn't shift to the Paris locales, Eiffel Tower, etc., which it sadly does after 10 or so minutes.

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are once again great to watch for their amazing chemistry and comic timing, yet they are offered poor dialogues and situations. The laugh-out moment for me was when Audrey is worried that Colonel (John Kani) is going to have no arm left the way he keeps trying to save people, and when she mimics that weird laughter of one of the characters.

Few Likeable Characters in Murder Mystery 2

If I felt the other characters were not interesting enough in the last film 'Murder Mystery', then this one is even worse in that regard, with not a single likeable character except for Francisco (Enrique Arce), who plays a lusty guy and keeps coming onto Audrey, giving some awkward yet fun moments. Just a reminder, Enrique is our very own Arturo from Money Heist. What's worse this time around is that the case is sillier, and it won't take long before you can deduce the possible killers.

Some fun moments I found were Nick using whale noises as his alarm tune. I even liked the ringtone he had set, 'an Indian Punjabi track,' for Maharajah, who probably must have helped him with that. The puzzle way of suggesting to pick the damn gun and shoot in the van from Nick was another funny sequence. Also, how last time around Nick missed driving a Ferrari, and it's a Lamborghini this time.

Verdict on Murder Mystery 2

Overall, Murder Mystery 2, I would mainly remember for the Indian wedding scenes. It is way below average and not the kind I would even want to watch again for guilty pleasures. I would prefer a better lighthearted whodunnit movie than this.

Rating: 4/10

Also, Check Out Movie Analysis of Murder Mystery

Murder Mystery Movie Analysis: A Lighthearted Whodunnit

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston chemistry saves this average whodunnit detective comedy.

Directed by: Kyle Newacheck

Imdb link -> Murder Mystery (2019) - IMDb

"You're an actress, right ?

All women are actresses, dear. I'm just clever enough to get paid for it.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: A Vacation Turned into Murder Mystery

On their 15th marriage anniversary, the American couple Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler) and Audrey Spitz (Jennifer Aniston) decide to go for a European vacation. Nick is trying to become a detective but keeps failing the exams for it, while Audrey is a hairdresser. Audrey happens to meet a certain rich guy, Charles Cavendish (Luke Evans), on the flight, and accepts the invitation to his uncle's yacht for a family gathering. Unfortunately, what sounded like a fun time ends up in a murder mystery when Charles' uncle dies there.

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston Have Great Chemistry in This Netflix Original

These kinds of movies remind me of marriage functions, very few of which I attended in my life for the sole purpose of awesome food even if it means sitting through boring activities. Similarly here, when the story is not on the murder case, the movie entertains as we see Nick and Audrey have casual talks about anything from daily life routines to gossips. It's enjoyable because of Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston having such great chemistry and comic timing, especially related to food or being a miser. Even their small fights or arguments are fun to watch. For instance, the scene where Audrey is telling a flaw about Nick who takes offense and, in response, does the same about Audrey.

Murder Mystery: Silly Whodunnit Undermined by Average Writing

But when the focus shifts towards the case and who did it, there's not really much good to talk about. In fact, the whole whodunnit feels more silly, at times boring, and just not at all layered out thanks to very average writing.

Adeel Akhtar and John Kani Provide Some Laughs

Of all the other characters, I liked Maharajah (Adeel Akhtar), especially his opening scene where he makes Nick and Audrey bow many times. Colonel Ulenga (John Kani) provides a few laughs too, while Grace Ballard (Gemma Arterton) gets the dialogue of the movie about how women are always acting. Luke Evans is good, and for a large portion, I fell for the trap that he is the murderer.

It's a mixed bag when it comes to the jokes; some land very well while others miss the mark. I like the reaction of Audrey when told how much earbuds cost on a flight. Also, how Nick is unhappy to learn that euros cost more than American dollars. The poor shooting skills of the duo also lead to some good laughs.

That hotel scene where Nick and Audrey try to get into another hotel room through the ledge was funny, but at the same time, I couldn't help but overthink why anyone who isn't trained would try to risk their life knowing a slight slip will lead to a more painful death.

Verdict on Murder Mystery

Overall, Murder Mystery turns out to be just average despite the great chemistry between Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Yet I will point out it belongs to that section of average movies that you won't mind watching again (mainly on TV), hence that example of marriage functions earlier. Can easily qualify in the list of ‘Guilty Pleasure’ movies.

Rating: 5.5/10

Also, check out Movie Analysis of Decision To Leave

Decision To Leave Movie Analysis: Atmospheric but Complex

Has a atmospheric beauty to admire, but the complex character of female lead including unconvincing 3rd act ruins the film.

Directed by: Park Chan-wook

Imdb link -> Decision To Leave (2022) - IMDb

"The moment you said you loved me, your love is over. 

The moment your love ends, my love begins.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: A Korean Mystery Thriller Where Cop Falls in Love with a Case Suspect

A man is found dead at a mountain peak in Busan, South Korea. Detective Jang Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) arrives at the crime scene and begins investigating whether it was a suicide or a murder. Jang immediately suspects the dead man's wife, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), of being involved. The more he investigates, the more he is drawn to Song, feeling an irresistible desire building.

The fact that Jang Hae-joon suffers from insomnia and frequently travels between his workplace and Ipo, where his wife Mee-jee (Jung Yi-seo) lives, adds depth to his character. He becomes active whenever a new case arises (a cliché), and his sleep deprivation means his mind isn't fresh, which is why he becomes obsessed with Song Seo-rae, even when it seems clear she is the murderer.

3rd Act of Decision To Leave Doesn’t Impress

Song Seo-rae is an interesting character who always seems suspicious. Her behavior, unusual laugh, and mysterious aura keep the audience guessing, as we are never given direct answers. This is why I couldn't fully enjoy the third act; I wanted valid reasons for her actions and her disastrous end. Her motivations for killing aren't justified, even if she is clever enough not to get caught.

Complex Narrative and Innovative Filming by Park Chan-wook

The film shows Song Seo-rae as Chinese and Jang Hae-joon as Korean, adding to the confusion as they often use a translator app, which I felt didn't fully translate the words. A song related to 'foggy night' and a scene where Jang's wife questions why Song would live in Ipo with her new husband just to enjoy the fog, while most people avoid it, adds to the mystery. The 'fog' likely symbolizes Song's character and the film's overall atmosphere, making direct conclusions elusive.

The narrative style further adds to the mystery, with innovative filming techniques showing conversations as if characters are face-to-face, creating a false (or perhaps true) sense of closeness. Comical moments mostly come early through Jang's colleague/friend, while the narrative focuses on a romantic tension that builds toward an erotic moment, which the director shies away from every time.

Verdict on Decision To Leave

Overall, Decision to Leave is a Korean film I liked for its atmospheric beauty. If only Song Seo-rae's character wasn't as complex and some questions weren't left unanswered.

Rating: 6/10

Also, Check Out Movie Analysis of The Son

Gaslight Movie Analysis: Pavan Kirpalani sadly disappoints

After Phobia, this is way below par movie from Pavan Kirpalani, works neither as whodunnit nor as a drama.

Directed by: Pavan Kirpalani

Imdb link -> Gaslight (2023) - IMDb

"Har woh cheez jisne mujhe daraaya hai, wahin se mujhe apne saare sawaalo ke jawaab milenge.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot of Gaslight: Sara Ali Khan Tries to Solve the Mystery of Her Missing Father

Meesha (Sara Ali Khan) returns to her royal family estate for the first time since childhood to visit her father, with whom she hasn't spoken in more than a decade. She is welcomed at the palace by her stepmother Rukmini (Chitrangda Singh). Soon, she learns that her father isn't home and has gone for some important work. The rest of the story deals with how Meesha feels something is off and that her father (whom she calls Daata) should have been home, knowing she was coming to meet him after such a long gap.

A Crime Mystery with Clichéd Twists

These days, most mystery suspense films have two twists. Once the first twist is revealed, we suddenly learn there's a bigger one that was kept hidden. Now, I am not against this, but for that second big twist to work, I feel the first one has to be good enough too; otherwise, it just gives a feeling of the makers having no confidence, so they play it safe.

In "Gaslight," the same problem occurs. It would hardly take you 15-20 minutes max to predict that first twist, largely because the writing team didn't do enough work on the character of Kapil (Vikrant Massey), the estate manager who all the time gives you the feeling that he isn't what he is showing. Also, it's one of the weakest performances of Vikrant Massey as it lacked freshness and felt seen before, making you feel he's getting typecast.

The second twist is good but questionable too because you have to backtrack and understand why Meesha behaves like she does in some of the scenes. To be honest, I don't have the patience to give the movie another chance for that.

Initial Horror Setup Works in Gaslight

I did enjoy the initial horror setup; for a while, I was hoping that there was actually either some ghost at work or some black magic in play. Although the dark night settings felt way too dark at times, making it tough to see what's happening, something I felt while watching the trailer too. The entire blind woman act was silly, even if later the real intention is shown, it was so hammy that any smart person wouldn't buy it.

Performance-wise, everyone falters mostly because the writing is average. Chitrangda Singh is likable for the most part, while Sara Ali Khan felt okay-ish and irritating at places. Rahul Dev feels wasted; maybe the idea was that less of him would mean he is the real suspect, but that still didn't work out. I haven't seen him much in the past few years, so it was still good to see him in the limited screentime.

Verdict on Gaslight

Overall, I was expecting more than just an average movie from Pavan Kirpalani, as he has done some good work in the past, especially Phobia, but Gaslight neither works as a whodunnit nor as a drama.

Rating: 4/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of Double XL

Double XL Movie Analysis: A Subject not treated properly

One of those ‘if only’ movies where you wonder why did the director take a wrong route of telling the story.

Directed by: Satram Ramani

Imdb link -> Double XL (2022) - IMDb

"Gym aur Diet jaise naye dost banane ki koshish ki, magar unn saalo ki yaari na pakki nahi thi."

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot: Talks About Fat Shaming with Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi in the Lead

Two overweight women, Saira Khanna (Sonakshi Sinha) and Rajshree Trivedi (Huma Qureshi), have dreams like anyone else. Saira wants to open her own fashion brand, while Rajshree aims to be a successful sports (cricket) presenter. Both fail, not because they lack talent, but because their weight means opportunities land in other people's hands. A chance meeting between Saira and Rajshree connects them, and they both go to London to try to make their dreams come true.

It's a taboo topic initially approached well when we see how a guy taunts Rajshree, telling her she may need to lose weight to be a sports presenter. This harsh truth highlights the very low number of plus-size female presenters. The fat-shaming isn't limited to the two industries shown in the film; it’s something prevalent everywhere, often normalized, as seen in many movies.

Poor Decision to Keep Double XL Too LightHearted

Unfortunately, the topic isn't explored as it should have been. Only one outburst scene stands out, where Rajshree's audition is canceled because her photo suggested low viewership for the 'sports presenter' job, despite her talent. This scene, free of comical background music, genuinely conveys Rajshree's pain. It's a pity that in her short interview with Kapil Dev (who plays himself), the voice is cut off, rendering the scene ineffective.

The love interests of Saira and Rajshree, played by Zoravar Rehmani (Zaheer Iqbal) and Srikanth Sreevardhan (Mahat Raghavendra), have some funny moments but often derail the movie from its main topic. Some scenes feel cringe-worthy. The message that it's okay to be overweight shouldn't come at the expense of promoting unhealthy eating habits. A scene where Saira and Rajshree overeat junk food to feel better could have been impactful if shot without the prevailing comical tone, similar to a scene in The Whale. Additionally, Saira's fashion designs in the final act didn’t seem flattering, making it hard to appreciate.

Emotional Impact and Missed Opportunities in Double XL

Both Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi are suited for their roles but needed a more serious script and better execution of the topic, which feels lost in the second half.

Among the supporting cast, Shobha Khote and Kanwaljeet Singh are underutilized, lacking meaningful scenes. Jimmy Shergill's cameo is a rare well-written moment.

The performances by Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi highlight their potential in serious roles, but the script does not fully support their efforts. The supporting cast fails to leave a significant impact due to underdeveloped roles.

Verdict on Double XL

Overall, 'Double XL' is one of those movies that fails to deliver on a subject that could have done wonders with the right execution.

Rating: 4.5/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of RRR

English Songs Discovered in Unique Ways: Part 1

Has it happened to you that you are watching a trailer, a series, or even a film when suddenly a song starts playing, and you are wondering, "Wow, how did I never know about the existence of this song before?"

I myself love to keep track of every newly released Hindi album, but I never do that for English or other language songs.

Here, I will share two such songs every week that I happily discovered by chance through TV show soundtracks or movies, and also why I loved them so much.

Spiraling by Jens Kuross

First Heard in 13 Reasons Why Final Trailer

13 Reasons Why Final Trailer

Full Version Link

Spiraling by Jens Kuross - YouTube

Thoughts on Spiraling

As far as I remember, they didn't use the song in the 13 Reasons Why final season, which they should have. I kept on listening to the track on repeat mode during the corona lockdown time, and it's still one of my favorites. It's a song that I find emotional, haunting, and a touch dark at the same time. And the 'Keep it Spiraling' part plays with your head.

Why don't you ever follow me into my dreams?

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey

First Heard in Stranger Things 4 Trailer

Stranger Things Season 4 First Trailer

Original Version Link

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey - YouTube

Extended Remix Version Link

Separate Ways Extended Remix - YouTube

Stranger Things Remix Version Link

Stranger Things Separate Ways Video - Youtube

Thoughts on Separate Ways

I know everyone who has seen Stranger Things 4th Season loves 'Running up that Hill' and 'Master of Puppets,' and so do I. But, I feel 'Separate Ways' got a lot less love than it should have because it has to be one of the best-used songs. What's amazing here is that contrary to what the lyrics are, the track in the Stranger Things Remix version (my preferred of all) actually creates that haunting, chilling feel and also sets up the mood for the finale episode.

You know I still love you,

though we touched and went our separate ways.

The Son Movie Analysis: Florian Zeller falters this time

After the fabulous The Father movie, expectations were rock high from Florian Zeller and he couldn’t live upto that.

Directed by: Florian Zeller

Imdb link -> The Son (2022) - IMDb

"It's just, I'm not made like other people. Sometimes I feel like I'm not made for this life.”

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot of The Son: About Depression and Mental Illness

Peter (Hugh Jackman) is happy with his wife Beth (Vanessa Kirby) and their newborn child Theo. Just then, his ex-wife Kate (Laura Dern) knocks at his door, giving him news about his son Nicholas (Zen McGrath) who hasn't been himself for quite a while. She recently discovered, thanks to a call from school, that he's been skipping school for over a month. The rest of the story deals with acute depression and mental illness, as Peter and Kate try to get Nicholas happy and safe.

Florian Zeller Couldn’t Repeat His Last Film Heroics

Florian Zeller last directed The Father, which was a complex and very horror-like look at dementia in old age, where as a viewer, we never knew if what we saw was real or just an imagination from an excellent Anthony Hopkins. 'The Son,' however, is much simpler, at least on the surface, and is a lot more dramatic, trying to get your emotional support rather than building it organically. And that's where this film disappoints.

There's a lot going on, which is why it's still a decent watch. We have worrying parents who want their son to get well, yet many times they are not able to see the red flags or how easily they get manipulated to believe what their son tells them. I don't know if I should call this bad writing or if its part of parental challenges.

Two Key Scenes Highlight Writing Flaws in The Son

Two scenes made me very surprised. One is when Nicholas joins a new school mid-semester, and Peter doesn't care to secretly follow Nicholas for at least a few days, if not a week, because surely it would cross his mind, 'What if my son is again skipping? So, why not confirm it?' The other one is where Peter and Kate make a huge decision to bring Nicholas back home rather than getting him the psychiatric treatment his current condition demands. Why on earth would they leave a gun in the bathroom? In fact, any parent would ideally go home and remove all pointy things like knives or anything that can help him kill himself, way out of his reach. Totally hard to believe any caring parent of a teenage son suffering from depression would make such a blunder.

Missed Opportunity: The Son Fails to Capture Nicholas's Perspective

These few mistakes could have been ignored if we were shown more of what Nicholas felt he was going through. Instead, we just keep getting scenes where he says the lines, 'I am in pain.' In the last film, 'The Father,' the narrative was excellent because it was told from the point of view of Anthony Hopkins, whom we could never trust, yet many times we felt bad for him. There was always a contradictory feeling all the time. How different 'The Son' would have been if it was told from Nicholas's point of view throughout making it a great psychological thriller. All the scenes of Peter's workplace didn't really add much to the narrative apart from showing how distant he was from Nicholas in this serious phase. It would have been good to see what was cooking inside Nicholas's head at a few occasions or show some of his walks when he skips school. Just saying this person is suffering from depression isn't enough.

Hugh Jackman, Vanessa Kirby, and Laura Dern Deliver Likeable Performances

What does work for me is the use of flashbacks from a trip when Peter, Kate, and Nicholas were very happy. We can see how Peter feels guilty that maybe it's his fault that Nicholas has changed so much now. His divorce had a deep effect on his son, and he is unable to do anything now. Hugh Jackman excels in the role despite the writing team not giving him enough to shine through; he still brings out a desperate father who wants Nicholas to be fine but time and again brings out the parenting he himself received (interestingly, Anthony Hopkins plays his dad in a very well-done one scene they have) by making Nicholas go through questions he doesn't want to be asked.

Both Vanessa Kirby and Laura Dern are pretty good too. You can feel Beth is trying her best in the challenging conditions, and she's brave to directly say to Peter that Nicholas's headspace isn't right and not someone who should be trusted. To be honest, I felt that if Beth was the mother of Nicholas, maybe she would have been a lot more careful. The 'Death can wait' scene is emotional; it did get to me, and for a moment, I believed that maybe it's real and they did save Nicholas.

Verdict on The Son

Overall, The Son, boasting of a great cast and the director that gave us the wonderful ‘The Father,’ doesn't live up to the expectations.

Rating: 6/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of The Whale