Series Analysis: Money Heist (Netflix)

"We are the Resistance" 

Creator : Alex Pina
Directed by :

Jesus Colmenar (14 episodes, 2017-2021)

Alex Rodrigo (10 episodes, 2017-2021)

Koldo Serra (7 episodes, 2019-2021)

Alejandro Bazzano (4 episodes, 2017)

Javier Quintas (3 episodes, 2017-2020)

Miguel Angel Vivas (2 episodes, 2017)

Albert Pinto (1 episode, 2021)

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6468322/


Spoilers ahead ..


Season 1

Have you ever thought that if you can go back in time, you might still make the same decisions?

A group of robbers lead by Professor (Alvaro Morte), try to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history with no bloodshed and becoming a hero in the eyes of public strongly believing in 'We are the resistance', as they steal 2.4 billion euros from the Royal Mint of Spain. Easily one of the most fast paced 1st episode I have seen in any series till now, making me think what would they show if they end up executing the heist this early but ofcourse there's so much more that happens in next episodes. Professor assembles his team, letting them choose names of cities to be referred by, Tokyo (Ursula Corbero), Berlin (Pedro Alonso), Rio (Miguel Herran), Denver (Jaime Lorente), Helsinki (Darko Peric), Nairobi (Alba Flores), Moscow (Paco Tous) and Oslo (Roberto Garcia). No personal names allowed and no relationships allowed, which doesn't happen since Tokyo and Rio get involved. Moscow and Denver are father-dad duo, while Helsinki and Oslo, cousins from Serbia.

The writing and specially narration style is very engaging, we are just told that Professor intends to have a 5 month class of teaching the team, but instead of showing it in detail we are directly cut to the heist day. A clever idea because we are unaware what all plans were set, so many times I felt now this heist will go haywire before a flashback reveals how it was preplanned because Professor went into every detailing to the extent in what ways the police team will do the negotiation. Rachel Murillo (Itziar Ituno) handles the negotiation deal with Professor over phone, while she herself is going through a personal life turmoil with ex-husband who's a cop involved in domestic violence. Their conversation and then how Professor gets close to her in person with a different identity makes for an intriguing watch. So far hiding and playing cards well, wonder at what stage Rachel will identify him in 2nd season?

Nairobi's fun fast dialect with hint of crazyiness, Denver (his funny laugh)-Moscow's lovely father son relationship with a light background theme, Berlin despite been an asshole making you enjoy his act as he never lets the heist fail sticking the team around as captain  and Tokyo, a complicated girl trying to find her feelings with Rio, all of these sub-plots working very well.There's also the hostages having their own plots going, with Monica Gaztambide (Esther Acebo) giving news of been pregnant to the father, also the boss, Arturo Roman (Enrique Arce) just before the heist begins. Fun to see how many times Arturo comes close to death but is alive still (Sadly, as his character only irritates throughout the series). There's the high profile teenager hostage, Alison Parker (Maria Pedraza) trying to find ways of running away but failing every time. And the use of Dali masks that are sort of symbol of resistance, was fun watching the scene where they surprise Rachel's team by changing the masks.

Love the scene where Professor disguises as beggar, or how he reacts while watching the proceedings happening inside the building with those small victory celebrations and then uncomfortable feeling he shows when Tokyo or Nairobi try to flirt with him. Basically there's been zero death as Professor wanted, but the heist hasn't completed and the last scene if really shows their whole plan  then will be interesting to see if they did have a plan for that scenario as well. I highly doubt it though considering Professor always keeps the loose ends to a very minimum.

Special mention to the use of 'Bella Ciao' twice.. first when the team celebrates when they reach the level they intended with tunnel, a quite first to see them happy together ever since the heist began. And the other is ofcourse the perfect ending with Professor and Berlin singing in flashback while Professor sits anxiously in car waiting what Rachel finds out. Very addictive song that I enjoy listening daily ever since I heard it. Also, ''My Life is going on' the show's opening credits song is pretty catchy and suits the story.

All in all Season 1 is very entertaining, well acted by the entire cast, fast paced narration for almost every episode with some new things to learn about characters giving us a chance to feel for every one of them.



Season 2

What are we ? The fucking best.. 

As I thought the ending of last season was just an attempt to trick us with Rachel once again reaching a dead end. However Professor lands into trouble trying to erase the forensic proof Rachel's ex husband finds. This season is lot more dramatic, and thereby less on thrills though we still get them every now and then. What I missed most was Professor interacting with his team or Rachel from his hangar as he is mostly out in the field trying to fix the loose ends. Was a surprise to see him get caught as early as 5th episode but I liked what they did to his relationship with Rachel.

While Tokyo's hot temper and impatient attitude twice led the heist go into danger, which Professor knew would happen with that 'I will save you' flashback sequence. Berlin died with dignity, and it was a crazy emotional way to end him with Bella Ciao theme used again. He was still a hated character but did go in doing something useful and like I said previously, as captain he kept the plan working and was the only one other than Moscow and Helsinki who trusted Professor when he was out of contact for starting episodes. Personally, I always enjoyed watching him.


Love both scenes of Tokyo, where she is thrown away and then later makes re-entry through bike. Arturo continued his escape plans but what surprised me was Monica helping, I thought she would not bring loaded gun. But then she herself says, she keeps making wrong choices. Was fun though watching her suddenly pick gun and help the heist team in the end.

Rachel's sudden turn towards Professor at the end was questionable too, specially taking a year to decode the postcards to reach him out. And like a miracle Professor was there waiting, like his mind had worked this out too. I was dissappointed with what they did with Alison Parker character, I was expecting a big scene with her doing exactly what Nairobi had told, she does still help Intelligence team in reaching the right tunnel or Berlin may not have died. Totally loved how they developed Denver's relationship with Monica to extent she joins the team and leaves with them.

I didn't like the turn they gave to Denver-Moscow story but happy the way they again changed and gave it a right emotional conclusion. The finale episode makes up for all the missing action, every moment is full of thrills and you are unsure will Professor and his team succeed or not. Overall, its a good followup season, not the same level like last but still very enjoyable. Keen to see if they force a situation that requires new heist in next season or we will see the relationships post the heist, how they turn out, or maybe some hostage/Aruto/cop finds location and its a hide and run situation for Professor and rest.



Season 3

This isn't a robbery.. or a challenge to the system. This is war.. Act accordingly. 

A new heist situation it is because a desperate Coronel Pierto (Juan Fernandez) finds out location of Rio after getting humiliated not catching or stopping the last heist Professor did. No surprises as Tokyo is again responsible for the mess, though indirectly this time with Rio not following the guidelines of Professor and using a satellite phone to contact Tokyo thereby giving up their hideout locations. If I remember right, Berlin is brother of Professor wasn't revealed directly in earlier seasons though their interactions always gave that feeling. Happy that they give Berlin who is ofcourse dead now, plenty of flashback sequences since the new heist was his plan that Professor didn't go with then. The vault entry sequence with parallel flashback commentary of Berlin on how they will pull it off was easily my favorite moment of this season.

The new characters however don't really work out, be it Palermo (Rodrigo De la Serna) who thankfully gets less time as captain with the eye injury right at start of heist, or the other guys like Bogota (Hovik Keuchkerian), Marsella (Luka Peros). For some reasons Rachel from beginning still gave me feels of if she is doing a big betrayal on Professor but the ending very much takes that option out. The flashbacks of the heist plan and the entry into the building are other high entertaining parts of season but after that things go bit haywire. Watching Arturo run into the building was un-necessary case for drama with Stockholm (Monica's new city name) again made to choose, thankfully she didn't fall for him for the timebeing atleast.

Rio-Tokyo breakup, Tokyo trying to come close to Denver or relationship of Denver-Stockholm getting a hit, somehow these plots I felt derailed the heist, specially trying to show the jealousy angle. Its different this time watching Professor with Rachel trying to negotiate with the new in charge of the case who is clearly bent on attacking the building and then the most disliked character of the show arrives, pregnant Alicia Sierra (Najwa Nimri) always with a face that says 'I will show you hell', as she takes advantage of emotions to hit Professor and his team hard.

If the last season ends on a happy note, this one is total opposite with the slow version of Bella Ciao, Professor making a wrong call unable to guess the bluff for a change and now he will have the people against him, losing the 'we are good guys, not bad' angle unless he has a new plan in his sleeves for 4th season. I truly would love to see Professor get back at the cops and Sierra, another season of him losing would not be so good to watch. Enjoyable season that is bit too much carried on shoulders of Professor and Berlin, few thrilling moments with an enjoyable but depressing finale.



Season 4

There's always happier days to remember. And the more fucked up things are, the happier those days seem to be. 

Easily a season that's stretched un-necessary, very less action and some meaningless flashbacks. The only few enjoyable episodes were, one where Gandia (Jose Manuel Poga) launches attack and entire team has to come together to get him down which is funny because at one stage he was getting fired upon by two sides and yet he somehow doesn't get shot because ofcourse writers were keen to kill off Nairobi by him later. Nairobi's emotional scene while been carried out, I just felt angry even though since 1st season I knew one of Serbian cousins and Nairobi would die at some stage but by now Nairobi had become one of lovable characters, and even though Tokyo is fun to watch despite her uncountable mistakes that bring team in mess always, I would had preferred Tokyo to die instead. I will be missing the command and style she had over the people, the regular numbers she would write down on the glass door out of happiness or all the fun moments before the heist with Professor and Tokyo.

Liked how they show the good side of Palermo even though he is the reason why Nairobi dies, the farewell scene between him and Berlin, and then accepting to his mistakes while talking to Helsinki, I got a feeling he will play a big positive role in next season and very much like Berlin would make sure plan doesn't fail. Would had liked some flashback scenes of Bogoto and Marsielle in this season, rather than Berlin's wedding (unless Tatiana has a role to play too in next season). The finale unlike last 3 seasons here, was a total let-down, the plan Paris never felt exciting to me and I didn't understand why Rachel/Lisbon is taken to the heist place and not back to Professor, unless ofcourse Professor had planned Sierra catching him (you never know with Professor) so he didn't want Rachel to be there.

Its still a watchable season but they could had rushed up the Rachel part, let her escape by 5th episode and finish the heist by 8th episode, because this heist unlike the Royal Mint one has already been not that fun to watch so far. What was good to see is that Professor does get semi-win in this season over Sierra, minus losing Nairobi and getting caught at end. Have to see if Sierra takes Professor to cops or some of her own hidden place or there's a twist coming right at start of 1st episode.

I didn't like Berlins 'My Life is going on' version in last season but oddly Sierra's version of 'Bella Ciao' worked for me here and sounded quite good, also in sync with her bitchy character the way she sings slightly diminishing the victory moment of Professor and the team chants to succeed in the heist for 'Nairobi'.

Hoping the 5th and final season gets the show back on right track. 

Season 5 (Volume1) 

I believe you keep on living in the final thought you have the moment before you die. 

A much better follow up after a disappointing Season4, and that too when Professor takes a backseat for major part of the season. Also, one of rare times when Tokyo doesn't do something stupid, which the writers may have done intentionally so the emotions pour in perfectly for that final episode. To be honest, I did feel bad about her death even if I had said I would had preferred her dead rather than Nairobi in last season. 

I like how they mix the current heist with a flashback of Berlin and his son Rafael's (Patrick Criado) mini heist which is more of a fun training session. It actually keeps the mood balanced because the ongoing heist is clearly gone haywire and with the military involved now, its only going to get messier. That makes me wonder why would Professor go for such a plan or he felt there was no other option available. 

The entire Alicia-Professor angle felt very weird, had they not showed her conflicted interest it would had been very hard to digest for me. 

The buildup to Stockholm's bullets fired at Arturo was so worth it, I even could imagine loud whistles and claps in theatre over that scene, but alas the next episode has our dearest Stockholm full of guilt eager to get him back to life. She was easily the weakest link of the season. though strangely its a character I felt was growing and now its gone total opposite direction, a part of the reason has to do with how much hated the character of Arturo is,  I mean when he suddenly brought football players like Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar for reference to his tactics, I felt like he just insulted them despite not being a football fan. So, it just felt odd to see her full of guilt just because he is the biological father. It would had worked better if they just kept the angle of regret regarding joining the gang or coming here while her son is somewhere else. 

Even the whole angle of heist gang vs hostages where the latter taking hold of their arsenals with the military approaching anytime, was very well thought, only issue the leader shouldn't had been Arturo. 

Manila (Belen Cuesta) is a good addition, liked her backstory too, bit mixed though about her feelings she admits to Denver or tries hard to make him realize he doesn't love Stockholm.  Rafael was sort of okay, he gave me very misfit vibes and yet I feel he might be the biggest surprise Professor is holding up to unleash in finale. 

Favourite moment has to be the small Nairobi-Tokyo conversation about life after death, and I like how Tokyo believes about it even if its kind of fantasy based. 

Some fun scenes like Palermo eager to kill Arturo telling he has no conscience,  or when he uses football anthem as a weird way of motivating everyone labelling them as losers. Palermo is a fun character (minus that stupid Gandia move he did), feel he has been under-utilized in this season.. love how he is eager to save Helsinki at any cost.

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Then loved how Professor fools Tamayo with Marsielle and the helicopter trick, or when Manila complains why she ended up part of this disastrous heist and not the previous one, and ofcourse Professor showing he can be a mid-wife too.

Like the use of songs 'Friday, i am in love with' and 'Will you live or fight?' 

The flashback of Tokyo's past, and why she chose Tokyo as city is well done, and so are her final scenes with Denver, Rio and the end to Gandia. 

Quite a enjoyable season, still no idea if there will be more casualties or Professor will save everyone. My personal hunch says only Professor will die now and probably at hands of Alicia.  

Season 5 (Volume 2)

No matter how bad things get,  even if they have us on our knees, even if it looks like there's no hope, like we are almost dead.. we keep on believing.. because we know we will always have the Professor. 

The start of this final volume of Season5 is very engaging with lots of action happening in the opening episodes, its almost as good as the earlier seasons. Infact two of the scenarios are almost a replica, one where Professor hides into the sofa or the recycle bin later, and other having Palermo describe how the heist will take place with lots of enthusiasm very much how Berlin did in Season3. 

They do try to clear up the Stockholm-Denver-Manila triangle mess, I would say it reached a point that it didn't really matter to me which way this went, good thing is they didn't waste too much time on it. 

The pick of this season (or volume) has to be Alicia and Palermo. Firstly Alicia's tussle with Professor, followed by the hilarious lorry 'galloping, galloping' while the chase is on, and then the fun mimicking of Professor with Tamayo 'what are you wearing, Colonel' or the sarcastic 'I will run away with Professor'.. Eventually she does team-up with Professor and I like how that part progresses without giving the feel of a forced transformation. 

Palermo as I suggested earlier is a character that keeps growing on, the scene where he joyously explains how the heist won't fail to Professor is my personal favourite and so is his reaction when the gold initially doesn't work as per the science. And his sarcasm when he doesn't want any debates with the gang telling they will anyways in the end point guns on each other so he has his gun out in advance. 

Good to see they kept Tokyo part of this season with her voiceover. Her initial dialogue on gold and its consequences are so spot on along with lovely background track of 'Vanderlyle crybaby geeks'.  Talking of songs, I also loved 'Ca Plane Pour Moi' edit done on Professor-Alicia who are trying to run away from Tamayo's place. Or Professor's fun dance on 'Get on up like a sex machine'. And special mention to the background themes, the Sagasta one (think it was used first time in Volume1) and other is when Professor's flashback as a kid is shown. 

Sagasta (Jose Manuel Seda) angle is very well played out keeping you in suspense knowing most likely he will win this time, but its significance I felt is weakened by the ending. More on that later. 

Very different Berlin we see in this volume, mainly because of the heartbreak he gets at hands of his own son, brilliantly acted by Pedro Alonso as always.  Can't wait for his standalone series in a few years time. 

Good to see one last 'Bella Ciao' celebration, though it was my least liked one. The twist of Tatiana-Rafael teaming up to steal gold from Professor is what I didn't see coming. To be honest, I like this twist as Rafael for some reasons never worked for me in a way to see him help Professor in the heist.

Love the Professor's flashback on how he witnessed his own father's death while attempting a robbery. And also  how Rachel decodes it later telling what Professor has been trying to not see all the time. 

Fav moment of this season was the conversation between Tokyo and Professor right at the end of penultimate episode where Tokyo shows how much she adores him and everyone has full faith knowing as long as Professor is around, there is hope. 

I like how the finale begins and proceeds, Professor about to pull off one last masterplan.. now the end if I see from the point of view of 'We won't kill anyone' then it works, because this feels the only way everyone win which is what the line Professor repeats often is 'Either we both win, or we both lose'. But the only issue I had was, all those military people that died, their families and children, they accounted to nothing. You can argue thats because we didn't invest in those people in this series, but you can't deny they were wronged. So, its not fully convincing to me despite knowing all the reasons for why they went with this ending. I am actually happy on one side to see Professor and all gang survive but to be given free tickets, new identities, almost a hero treatment is a bit too much to my liking. The question though is, what other possible option was there if they were all to be alive, to be behind bars maybe with reduced sentence ? 

Also, I haven't been able to understand why Rafael would suddenly agree for lesser share when he and his team could had gotten all of it. Was it because there would be too much bloodshed and he didn't believe in that, but then it appeared he didn't care until Alicia handed that Professor written note. What was in that note that made Rafael change his mind? Something about Berlin or family, or as some of theories I have read suggesting Professor told the gold is fake or Rafael was actually always part of plan waiting to get this note to confirm everything went as they wanted. Too many possibilities, you can go with anything you feel like as no clear answer is given to us! 

Good news is or I should say half good news that we don't get to see a single scene of Arturo in this final volume, though he is sadly alive. 

Is this a perfect final season ? No. But, haven't we seen how often most good series mess-up the final chapter, Money Heist certainly didn't disappoint me in that regards and its more of a show that thrives on thrills and entertainment which it had plenty here.

Overall, Money Heist starts with a bang, loses its touch in 2nd season at places but the finale makes up for it, a too dramatic 3rd season but another great finale and sadly a weak 4th season.  Both volumes of final season brings the show back to where it should had been with some emotional farewells. 

Many would have liked it end at 2nd season with the heist going right and all escaping minus deaths of Berlin and Oslo. But that is too fantasy kind for me, so I am quite happy they went ahead and showed how they have to survive and hide after the heist which they eventually fail at.  

Its a show that isn't my personal favourite but it still holds a special place because I liked most of the characters even when they were making some silly choices, which was most of the time Tokyo. While Professor-Berlin were almost flawless and I hope Professor gets some cameos in the upcoming Berlin standalone series. 

My Rating : 7.5/10

Quick Views on 2021 Films I Didn't Review - Part4

Spoilers ahead... 

Is Love Enough? Sir

Directed by : Rohena Gera

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7142506/

Log majaak udayenge. 

Mujhe koi fark nahi padta.

Mujhe padta hai, Sir. 

A young high society living man Ashwin (Vivek Gomber) falls in love with his servant Ratna (Tillotama Shome) who is widow and wants to be a fashion designer. Easily one of those movies that could go in various cliche zones and end up doing no justice to the tabooish relationship if you can call it that which society/relatives wont accept. But here, that doesn't happen, wonderful performances by leads especially Tillotama Shome who gets a full fledged role and she shines right through it very convincingly. The conversations Ashwin and Ratna have are fun to watch, but its what they don't talk about gives the mood of the movie extra edge. And love the ending on a hope of maybe there's more to their story. 

My Rating : 7.5/10 

Saina 

Directed by : Amole Gupte

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9176086/

Game jeetne ke liye tum kya karti ho yeh important nahi hai, important hai ki game jeetne ke liye tum kya chorhti ho.

A biopic based on famous Indian badminton player, Saina Nehwal. When the trailer released, I was oddly happy and excited, not because it looked like a proper biopic but it felt like 'entertaining hogi'. I was so wrong and clearly misread the trailer. I never liked Saina Nehwal, mainly because I started watching badminton when she was on decline and now she is almost over. So, I missed her glory days. Coming back to the film, the narration is total cliched, showing journey of Saina from a kid to national level and finally success playing for India. With a sports biopic, you want something new.. even those who don't watch badminton won't find anything 'wow' feel because you are just showing the rise with montages of winning matches. What were other options then? Show the equation between coach Rajan (Manav Kaul) and Saina (Parineeti Chopra) in detail, instead Rajan's character felt so cringeworthy at times as if he wasn't happy for Saina doing well. It didn't help that Parineeti strangely looked out of touch, I expected her to nail the acting part because looks wise she definately wasn't the right choice, Shraddha fitted it to the tee. The romantic angle of Saina and Kashyap was very meh too. The actor playing mother of Saina, was very hammy much like the Yograj Singh of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, yet I did like the scenes involving her and Saina. I don't think I enjoyed a single match shown with camera angles and not enough drama induced major culprits. To cut the long story short, Saina is easily one of the most forgettable biopics ever, they even failed to use the very motivating track 'Parinda' properly. And I couldn't care to check how much they used real scores of tournaments, and how much they fictionalised, because the film never generates interest to research.. Sigh! 

My Rating : 3/10 

Roohi 

Directed by : Hardik Mehta

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10098288/

Your rashee? Personality se toh Leo lag rahi hai tu. Gussa bahut aata hai tumhe. 

Pakdaai Shaadi is famous in Bihar where the bride is kidnapped and forced to marry the guy who loves her. Working in this business are two friends, Bhawra Pandey (Rajkummar Rao) and Kattani Qureshi (Varun Sharma) whose boss Guniya Shakeel (Manav Vij) orders them to kidnap Roohi (Janhvi Kapoor). After some complications they do manage only to be told to keep Roohi safe somewhere until the new formed circumstances are settled. The twist comes when they find out Roohi is possessed. Unlike everyone else, I didn't feel bored by this film, specially the Afza (name of spirit) angle with Kattani was hilarious and that 'Saagar' track was very well put in. Varun Sharma's comic timing was on right track and also enjoyed Rakummar chemistry with him. Janhvi worked for me in the Afza role, not much as Roohi though. What spoils the movie is the lazy 3rd act, all the chudail or dog marriage angle and even the climax was more of finding a way to finish unlike stree where it made you think for good. Still an entertaining movie in parts for me. 

My Rating : 5.5/10 

Pagglait 

Directed by : Umesh Bist

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11142762/

Agar hum apne faisle khud nahi lenge na, toh doosre le lenge.. phir chaahe woh humhe pasand ho ya na ho, toh phir kuch toh badalna hoga na.

About Sandhya Giri (Sanya Malhotra) who becomes a widow just after some months of marriage. The usual 13 days of mourning happens with most of the family gathered around, only odd thing is that Sandhya doesn't show any kind of sadness, which makes her question her own attitude very much like others in the family do. With actors like Ashutosh Rana, Sheeba Chaddha, Raghuvir Yadav, Jameel Khan and Rajesh Tailang in the supporting cast, there is always quality acting on display along with lead Sanya. Its just the message this film tries to deliver in the 3rd act or should say final part of the act, comes way too late. Some of the subplots could had been avoided specially the husband and Akansha Roy (Sayani Gupta) angle felt didn't make any impact and stretched a lot. As a social drama there's lot to take in here, from the traditions of funeral that last 13 days, usual family drama, taunts, hints of open-minded family trapped in the society prejudices and then insurance money angle. We get some dark comedy specially involving Sandhya's hilarious reactions to facebook comments, craving for various food and a doorbell that has Dirty Picture's 'Oh la la' song. Its all about Sandhya slowly realizing what she must do before she gets stuck in this mess. Its also a take on women in India, most of them won't follow Sandhya's decision, and as she herself says, either she can change her fate or let people decide it. Its slow going, but if you can manage till the end, you may not regret watching the film even if its still a one time watch, bit too lighthearted to my liking. 

My Rating : 6/10

Ludo

Directed by : Anurag Basu

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7212754/

Kam paiso mein khush rehna mushkil hai, par jyada mein impossible. Soch sahi hai madam, zamana galat hai. 

The game of Ludo is used as a metaphor as 4 stories are shown, Yellow belongs to Akash Chauhan (Aditya Roy Kapoor) who goes on a road trip with ex-girlfriend Shruti Choksi (Sanya Malhotra) because a sextape of their past has gone on a porn site. Red belongs to Bittu Tiwari (Abhishek Bachchan), an ex-criminal bonding with a little girl Mini (Inayat Verma) who has faked her own kidnapping, the story is inspired by Kabuliwala. Then, there's Green for Alok Kumar Gupta (Rajkummar Rao) who has been in a one-sided love with Pinky (Fatima Sana Shaikh) since school days and even now when she is married with a kid, he is helping her set her husband free from jail. Finally there's Blue for a sales guy Rahul Awasthi (Rohit Saraf) who is constantly abused verbally at workplace, meets a Malayali nurse Sheeja Thomas (Pearle Maaney) who also gets made fun of for her different dialect, they both get hold of plenty of cash that could change their life. Sattu bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi) plays the role of 'dice' who decides the fate and luck of all the characters involved, he's the local don.

Much like the game that's slow and becomes interesting moment other tokens come close to snatch your place out, same is case with film as first 30-40 mins are taken to set up all the 4 stories. Totally loved the use of 'Arre o babuji, kismat ki hawa, kabhi naram, kabhi garam' song many times in narrative. Pankaj Tripathi stands out, a character he has played a lot and yet he brings out something fresh and enjoyable again. His scenes with the nurse Lata Kutty (an excellent Shalini Vatsa) are hilarious. Also, Rajkummar Rao is in excellent touch with the mimicry of Mithunda, the way he would go in a corner and cry everytime Pinky comes to ask for help, or his idea of dancing out the excess emotions, simply hilarious. Aditya-Sanya story I liked but the chemistry was a major letdown here. While Abhishek Bachchan puts off a great act, just felt the story needed more of Mini in it. Rohit Saraf and Pearle Maaney gives most laughs, getting in many unwanted chaotic scenarios, making their story most interesting. Pritam's music is another plus, and a lovely climax. Little too long but Ludo works and entertains despite its share of flaws, its still a film that you would enjoy watching just like most of Anurag Basu films. 

My Rating : 7.5/10 

Lootcase

Directed by : Rajesh Krishnan

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10515526/

Aakhiri baar pooch raha hoon, yeh suitcase kiska hai. 

Working for a newspaper printing press Nandan Kumar (Kunal Khemu) leads a routine normal middle class life with wife Lata Kumar (Rasika Dugal) and son Ayush (Aryan Prajapati). One night on way to home, Nandan comes across a suitcase full of cash, and his life changes all of sudden as he plans to hide the money and use when required. But little does he know, there's MLA Patil (Gajraj Rao), corrupt Inspector Madhav Kolte (Ranvir Shorey) and a gangster Bala Rathore (Vijay Raaz) all after the suitcase. Kunal Khemu as I have stated in past is one of most under-rated actors in present industry, and his comic timing again gives plenty of laughs specially the 1st act where he keeps falling in situations of getting caught, the fake calls he makes in autorickshaw while bringing suitcase or how he drops out at wrong location trying to be smart, and all the chinese food references with his wife. Rasika Dugal is in great form too with a typical housewife kind remarks all the time. Its the 2nd act that slows down the proceedings, some songs inserted, and very less shown about MLA Patil or Madhav or Bala. Vijay Raaz does bring a smile to face with a very laidback references to animal NatGeo channel during every conversation. Lootcase for me has a great 1st act, an average 2nd act with occasional laughs and a better final act let down though with the final shootout scene. But you never really feel bored due to the great starcast, and their comic timing bringing good laughs.  

My Rating : 6.5/10 

Haseen Dilruba

Directed by : Vinil Mathew 

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11027830/

Pagalpan ke hadd se na gujre toh woh pyar kaisa.. hosh mein toh rishtey nibhaaye jaate hai.

Set in a fictional Jwalapur, Rani (Taapsee Pannu) is the prime suspect along with her lover who is also her brother in law, Neel (Harshvardhan Rane) for the murder of her husband Rishu (Vikrant Massey). Its a very weird film unless you see it through the point of view of Rani who narrates the entire story to the police inspector Brijraj (Daya Shankar Pandey) which is equivalent to us knowing the story even if its unreliable and can't be fully trusted. The setting is completely off a pulp novel, whose references Rani herself takes endless times through 'Pandit ji kehte hai'. There's a hot sexy wife who gets married to inadequate husband, and then enters a handsome brother in law she lusts for. Such themes are common in the railway stations bookstalls where you may find such novels, specially the smaller cities. That is one reason I was able to take the tone knowing what the intentions clearly are. 1st act is hilarious, including Rishu's mother Lata (an excellent Yamini Das) whose reaction to bahu's regular pallu drops would make you smile or her anger for getting a daring bahu than the susheel one she was hoping for. Also, Rishu-Rani chemistry makes for an interesting watch because you can see they are poles apart from each other in their personality or for that matter taste too. 

I also like how they use food, once tea to bring Rani-Rishu closer having drifted apart, and then the mutton biryani which Rani actually made for Neel but has to serve to Rishu while revealing to him about her love for Neel. The transformation of Rishu is immense too, how from a deep soft lover he turns into a raging husband wanting to hurt and see Rani bleed kind of guy. Vikrant Massey is marvellous in achieving that without any hint of weirdness, you easily buy it way he acts. Even the toxicity in those portions didn't make me feel cringy or for that matter how Rani is willing to let him hurt her. Taapsee Pannu act works wonderfully, a tailor-made role for this character that is bold, outgoing and yet a girl who is willing to adapt for love. Infact there's almost everything to love in the flashback story, its good they keep Neel part shorter, otherwise he would had been my weak link. The 3rd act is where you would either love the film or call it meh! I was kind of in between, there's lot of coincidences happening, rushed up climax and yet that final shot and dialogue made me enjoy what just happened. And since the setup is based on the tone of those roadside crime novels, it would had been a sin to have a routine normal ending. Special mention to the writing of Kanika Dhillon, she was fabulous in Manmarziyaan too. And I love 'Mila yun' track a lot more after watching the film. Haseen Dilruba will surely receive different verdicts from people, for me it was a very bold attempt that works largely, only hiccups were portions of 3rd act and the length that is little too long.

My Rating : 7.5/10 

Quick Views on 2021 Films I Didn't Review - Part3

Spoilers ahead... 

Citizen Kane

Directed by : Orson Welles 

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/

You don't care about anything except you. You just want to persuade people that you love them so much that they ought to love you back. Only you want love on your own terms. Something to be played your way, according to your rules. 

The last word spoken by newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) was 'Rosebud' as a group of reporters try to decipher the context behind it. A film considered iconic and often used in teaching at many film institutes or academies. Yet, I found it very over-rated, the story is very straightforward, routine rise and fall of a person with some relationships drama and a friendship angle. Not a film hard to sit through like 'Mank' was, there is enough going for you to feel engaged, its just I was expecting something special. I have seen some reviewers suggest its a film you should give more chances, so if possible I will do that. For now, I have to rate it low. 

My Rating : 4.5/10 

Collective

Directed by : Alexander Nanau 

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10706602/

When the press bows down to the authorities, the authorities will mistreat the citizens. This always happens, worldwide, and it has happened to us. 

A crime documentary at its best that covers the October 2015 Bucharest nighclub 'Collectiv' fire incident leading to 27 dead people and 180 injured, but what followed was the bizarre deaths in hospitals owing to poor hygiene, corruption, incompetent health minister, and the politics at play. What is really good to see is how right journalism could help bring justice even if its for a short period. You can easily connect to the journalist who feels like a lone hand against a powerful bunch of government yet he never shies away from talking truth and seeking answers. And you also feel for the new health minister, who clearly wants to follow right procedures but is almost at political pressure all the time. The film could easily be compared to our own setup, whether its the press vs govt where the govt is rarely questioned or be it the Covid angle where our own health minister was often giving stupid statements. In short, there's plenty to takeaway from this movie, that tells the history about Romania event but is a running commentary on how its the case in many other countries too where citizens life mean nothing and media plays a key role in helping government run their agenda. A bitter truth shown through this well made documentary. My only complaint is that journalist role I felt got sidelined in the 2nd half, would had liked more of his scenes, I totally enjoyed his direct hard-hitting questions posed at press conferences.

My Rating : 7.5/10 

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari

Directed by : Robert Wiene

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0010323/

Now I also know how to cure him. 

Hypnotist Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss) uses a somnambulist Cesare (Conrad Veidt) to commit murders. Its a 1920 released film, ofcourse black and white, and I am guessing this is the oldest film I have seen ever. More than the horror, what is really interesting is the engaging story and the 3rd act very much blows your mind. To make you think and ponder for a movie released in that era, has to be some achievement. Though the expressionism style is new for me, and it took me a while to adjust, my main issue was no dialogues made the impact less, at times I wanted them to speak something. For the budget and creative restrictions around that time, you have to applaud the effort and how appealing the film turns out. Good luck if you are able to predict what the climax the story is heading to. 

My Rating : 7/10 

Soul 

Directed by : Pete Docter & Kemp Powers

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948372/

You can't crush a soul here. That's what life on Earth is for. 

Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a middle school music teacher who has passion for Jazz and dreams to make it big in the industry finally lands himself a gig of a lifetime. But in excitement he falls down a manhole and next moment he sees himself heading in a line to some blue colored wierd looking place learning its where souls go in the afterlife. Pixar studios deliver another terrific animation movie, not only its so good on the animation, lovely background and various beautiful loving characters it gives us, but the message the movie is trying to give, that you must live every minute of your life and rather than having purposes or sparks its about enjoying the little things that could be a simple sunset or hello from a person you like or anything in daily routine. There are many lighthearted fun and silly adorable moments to enjoy too. The pairing of Joe and 22 (voiced by Tina Fey) is fantastic, the way 22 makes fun of Joe's life citing he has done nothing worthy than live a robotic life or how Joe helps 22 find the spark she never knew she had with her hatred for Earth. I totally love 22's scenes with barber, Joe's Mom, Connie (one of Joe's student at school) and when in awe listening to guy singing at metro station. Also, film explores the moment 'when you are in the zone' and pursuing dreams/passion over regular career.  Soul comes very close to my top fav animation movies, 'Inside Out', 'Zootopia' and 'Coco'.  

My Rating : 8/10 

The Father

Directed by : Florian Zeller

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10272386/

I feel as if I am losing all my leaves. The branches and the wind and the rain. I don't know whats happening anymore. 

Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) living with his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) starts to suffer from dementia and it keeps on getting worse. Another take on how losing memory slowly can be nothing less than horror for the person going through it. Infact for the entirety you feel for Anthony and also never sure if what he is saying/watching is real or just his imagination. At times you feel frustrated because there doesn't really seem to be any cure for it. Anthony Hopkins expectedly gives a performance to remember that got him the Oscar, even enjoyed his act in 'The Two Popes' previously.  Also, lovely supporting performance by Olivia Colman. Its not a easy film to watch, at times gives feels of very depressing tone but its quality cinema at its best, so give it a go. 

My Rating : 7.5/10 

Don't Look Now 

Directed by : Nicolas Roeg

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069995/

He has the gift. Even if he doesn't know it. Even if he's resisting it. Its a curse as well as a gift. 

John Baxter (Donald Sutherland) and Laura Baxter (Julie Christie) arrive in Venice, been just some months to the loss of their daughter when she drowned accidentally. Both of them still recovering from the grief of losing daughter so young with John having taken up restoration work of a Catholic church. They end up meeting two sisters, Heather (Hilary Mason) and Wendy (Clelia Matania) at dining, where one of the sister who has psychic abilities suggests she can see their daughter in afterlife with an important warning for them. Don't Look Now is a terrific film when it comes to creating horror through chilling atmosphere, using city and the passages wonderfully, well done music and keeping you guessing with an added plot of a random serial killer creating havoc at same time in the city. John's incapability to make use of his own psychic abilities or sixth sense is what the entire story is about, and also eventual reason to where he lands in that unpredictable final scene. The only hiccup for me actually was the famous sex scene everyone talks highly of and some too extreme closeups. Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie chip in with great performances, its a slow art-feels movie, a genre that works very less for me but I enjoyed it a lot.

My Rating :  8/10 

Godzilla : King of the Monsters 

Directed by : Michael Dougherty 

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3741700/

Sometimes, the only way to heal our wounds is to make peace with the demons who created them. 

Five years after the last movie events, the story moves to a Russell family. After death of their son, Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) leaves behind wife Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) and daughter Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown). Emma works for Monarch, an agency that deals with these huge creatures that are to be destroyed or protected as per situation. Emma finds out a device that would help communicate with these creatures and control them. There comes our villain Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) and there's not much to keep track of after that, but this happens right at first scene! Except for the lovely Dr Ishiro Serizawa (Ken Watanabe), there's not a single human plot that you would remember once the movie ends. Have to admire Ishiro though, this dude simply loved Godzilla to the core. Talking of Godzilla, for those fans that had issue with him getting very less screen time in last movie (as I said then, I preferred him being less in film) would be happy, there are numerous fight scenes, so much that I had to anxiously wait when this will end. The supporting characters irritate, even Millie has a nothing role. Vera is confusing, unsure which side she is until the last scene heroics. I just didn't enjoy the movie at all. 

My Rating : 3/10

Godzilla vs Kong 

Directed by : Adam Wingard

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5034838/

Godzilla. Not. Enemy. Please.. be careful. 

Monsterverse has Godzilla pitted against King Kong, its almost as good a battle as say Batman vs Superman (sorry superhero fans if I offended with that odd reference). But you gotta be stupid if you believe that Godzilla and King Kong won't get on the same side after initial fight. There's the expected human conspiracies but unlike the last film, there's some human connection here which was a huge respite. Jia (Kaylee Hottle) who can interact with King Kong gives some touching scenes including the one where she warns Kong to remember who the enemy is (Hunger Games style, oops another wierd reference). To be honest, I was never keen for the Godzilla vs Kong fight scene, but its very engaging when it does arrive, they do film it very well. One question however that crossed my mind was, while enjoying these creatures help mankind in their ways, aren't they still causing so much destruction all around or maybe I shouldn't be thinking too much in what is a fantasy sci-fi film. I still prefer the 2014 version of Godzilla, but this one for most parts was fun to watch. 

My Rating : 6/10 

The Vanishing 

Directed by : George Sluizer

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096163/

You start with an idea in your head, and you take a step.. then a second... Soon, you realize you are up to your neck in something intense, but that doesn't matter. You keep at it for the sheer pleasure of it. For the pure satisfaction it might bring you. 

Rex Hofman (Gene Bervoets) and Saskia Wagter (Johanna ter Steege) are a young couple on vacation, driving in France as they stop at a petrol station. Saskia goes in to buy some drinks at the busy service station, and disappears. Its been 3 years when Raymond Lemorne (Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu) who abducted Saskia, tries to get in contact with Rex. The movie basically does a deep character study of 2 individuals, one is Rex who is obsessed to know what happened to Saskia, so much that he keeps visiting the place Raymond asks him to come to through postcards in these 3 years, even his current girlfriend feels his feelings for Saskia will never go off and then the big leap/risk (or stupidity as some will call) he takes with drinking the coffee. Other is Raymond, who looks like a normal guy among the crowd but is a very cold blooded sociopath who since childhood has been testing himself, one of the event being where he jumps off a window telling himself its predestined that no one jumps so he has to go against the destiny, and other event when he saves a drowning person getting labelled as hero by his daughter and now he has to prove himself that to be called a hero he must prove to himself that he isn't capable of doing something very evil. The director sets up both stories wonderfully, Raymond is mostly told through flashbacks. I personally don't feel Rex made a wrong decision, yes it lead to his death but thats better than living a whole life where he won't have made peace with the fact that he never came to know what happened to Saskia. I mean yes as a viewer you would say that she must have died is the easiest answer and move on, but for that person its not as simple as you would feel it is. Totally enjoyed the act of Bernard, yes the ending is shocking not because you can't predict it coming but more because you know these kind of people exist in reality. Its fun to see the detailing they show how he reaches to the point where he tries to abduct Saskia, with all his chloroform, scream tests and the funny awkward moments he lands himself into while learning to be a pro in kidnapping. If you wanna see the themes of obsession and a psychopath, what happens when they meet each other then this film would work for you. I still however didn't understand the eggs dream part, maybe in future watch. 

My Rating : 7.5/10

The Woman in the Window 

Directed by : Joe Wright

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6111574/

I don't know, I am just not made that way. I wish to God I could, believe me, but I can't. Everyone else can move on, I can't. 

Seperated from her husband and a young daughter, Anna Fox (Amy Adams) a child psychologist lives all alone in her Manhattan brownstone apartment with a tenant living in the basement. Having agoraphobia, Anna never steps out of her house. She develops interest in her new neighbours, the Russell family specially after the son and wife come over to meet her. The spying from Anna results in her witnessing murder of Jane Russell (Julianne Moore), but can Anna be trusted or is she going through hallucinations with the overdose of alcohol and the depression she's been handling for a long time. Firstly, its a story done many times, hell even our own hindi films did a wonderful take through Radhika Apte starrer Phobia (watch it if you haven't yet) . The starting is engaging, despite the plot not so new.. you like Anna feel eager to know more about Russell's and if what she saw really happened. The hiccup comes very early, that long conversation scene of Jane and Anna somehow felt very odd and fake to me, maybe its the dialogues or how its filmed or the situation because its the only time they would talk together. But the main issue is the final act, and how poorly they use Gary Oldman in an almost nothing role. Also, it doesn't help when you see cops almost wanting to not believe Anna at all, like not giving a 1% chance even. I mostly love Amy Adams performances, but this one is very forgettable, mostly because its just a very average film, not much scope for her to do anything special and also its a role (not ditto, but similar shades) she has played a lot offlate, prefer it more in 'Sharp Objects'.

My Rating : 3.5/10