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 Whale Movie Analysis: A Story of Grief and Obesity

Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau give some pleasant moments through their lovable performances, but the drama isn’t engaging enough with a melodramatic finish.

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Imdb link -> The Whale (2022) - IMDb

"Do you ever get the feeling that people are incapable of not caring ? “

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot of The Whale: A Depressing Story About Food Addiction

Charlie (Brendan Fraser) eats and eats, not because he loves it, but as a habit formed out of trauma from losing his love, Alan (one of his students during his teaching days long back). The story unfolds over a week, starting from Monday, with Charlie inching closer to his death, stubbornly refusing to visit the hospital.

This is the third movie of Aronofsky that I have watched, following 'Noah' and 'Mother,' neither of which I liked, although the latter had its moments of craziness. 'The Whale' is a depressing movie showcasing how the life of an overweight man is affected by the loss of his lover. I don't recall a food addiction based movie where a person overeats due to grief and mourning; usually, the opposite happens. Here, Charlie overdoes it to the extent that he can't get up from the couch or walk without the help of a stand.

Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau Give Solid Performances

The excellent Hong Chau (Liz) plays his nurse and close friend, taking care of him. She believes his condition is worsening and that he won't last more than a week if he doesn't listen to her and go to the hospital. Whenever the story focuses on them, it's enjoyable and emotional, especially when we learn how Liz is related to Alan, Charlie's lost lover. I also appreciate that Liz, despite being a nurse, keeps bringing junk food for Charlie, perhaps having given up trying to change his habits and wanting him to enjoy his final days as he wishes.

I also enjoyed the few online teaching scenes where Charlie lies about a non-working webcam so his students don't see his overweight body or face. His interaction with his wife, Mary (Samantha Morton), was good; it initially hinted at another cruel character but evolved into a conversation about their old good memories.

While I enjoyed Brendan Fraser's performance, who keeps you invested with his reactions despite the poorly written subplots, I still wouldn't consider it Oscar-worthy. It was tough to watch him manage all alone at home, struggling to get up and walk. Charlie's additional burden of dealing with trauma makes it worse. I loved how Charlie consistently views people positively, calling them amazing, especially when most likely find him disgusting.

Ty Simpkins and Sadie Sink Characters Are Poorly Written

Where the movie falters for me is in the subplots involving the Church guy, Thomas (Ty Simpkins), and Charlie's daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). Thomas serves no purpose except to bring back old memories of Alan, whose death was connected to religious beliefs. Without Thomas, the narrative wouldn't change much, as Charlie is always thinking about Alan while slowly drifting towards his death.

Ellie, on the other hand, has an impressive first scene where she coldly forces her father to walk toward her, knowing he can't due to his weight. However, subsequent meetings between them are disappointing, focusing on the father-daughter bond. Ellie, whom Charlie left behind when she was eight because of Alan, has a reason to be angry, but Sadie overplays it, underplaying the 'I am so hurt you left me behind' aspect. Her role would have been better if it had been less evil and full of anger and hurt. She does get a solid final scene, revealing the origin of the 'Whale' poem that Charlie repeatedly wants to narrate when he feels he is about to die.

Due to the shortcomings in the writing of Thomas and Ellie, it becomes tiring to watch a movie with no exterior locales. I've seen movies set in one room, but they require strong characters throughout, which isn't the case here. The movie might have worked better if it had started a day after Alan's death, showing Charlie's slow self-destruction through overeating and flashbacks of good times with Alan, with Ellie becoming part of his life in an interesting manner. I know this differs from the director's intent, but it could have been more engaging.

Over-eating in Anger Taken to a Whole New Level in The Whale

One of my favorite parts of the movie is Charlie's interactions with Gambino's food delivery boy. Charlie always asks him to leave the food outside, collecting it once he feels the boy is gone. The thought crosses my mind—what if he decides to open the door and collect it directly one day? It happens, but differently. Charlie opens the door unknowingly while the delivery boy is still there, trying to glimpse the man who never shows his face. The delivery boy's reaction and quick departure suggest how hurt Charlie must have felt. This guy, who had simple 'Hello' conversations for weeks (or months), would likely stop interacting with him.

It's a very painful feeling to go through, and no wonder we see Charlie get angry, leading to over-eating pizzas and anything he can find in the kitchen/fridge. This anger drives him to finally attend a class using his webcam, and we see varied student reactions, mostly negative (with a few recording it), revealing Charlie as an extremely overweight man.

Verdict on The Whale

Overall, 'The Whale' features solid performances from Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau but lacks an engaging drama and becomes melodramatic.

Rating: 5.5/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of Close

Close Movie Analysis: Broken friendship story with flaws

Starts off on a great note before it becomes way too emotionally manipulative.

Directed by: Lukas Dhont

Imdb link -> Close (2022) - IMDb

"We are close because we are best friends."

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Spoilers ahead...

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Plot Summary: About broken friendship and more

Leo (Eden Dambrine) and Remi (Gustav De Waele), two thirteen-year-old boys, are very close friends who are hard to separate - eating together, playing games together, and having sleepovers. They even manage to be in the same class in their first year of school. However, their closeness leads to questions from other boys and girls, eventually causing Leo to doubt himself and begin distancing himself from Remi. This leads to an unfortunate incident, leaving Leo and others to grieve and attempt to heal.

This movie almost feels identical to The Banshees of Inisherin because the first act is so enjoyable, as are the starting portions of the second act. The initial friendship is well established, and there are subtle hints that this may be more than just 'close friends'. I like how the growing distance is shown with Leo developing new tastes, including ice-skating, and making new friends. The themes of male toxicity and homophobia are handled in a subtle manner, highlighting the challenges of teen friendship and coming-of-age.

Disappointing Second Half of Close

What brings the movie down for me is the sudden change (again like Banshees) with the suicide moment, after which the plot revolves around grief and healing, making it very mediocre. There's way too much time spent on the ice-hockey scenes, and it's a long wait for the confrontation scene when Leo lets his guilt out to Remi's mother.

A better narrative could have involved a full second act revolving around how much further distant Leo grows from Remi and then using the final act to show some kind of major reaction, which needn't be a suicide. The scenes involving Remi's mother since the loss of her son didn't invoke the emotions I expected.

If you think about it, that one talk from the girls to Leo and Remi changed everything. Those girls may not even realize that more than Leo, they are the ones responsible for Remi's death. It is really tough to pinpoint a person responsible, to be honest. One could argue that Remi was too emotional and, for his age, just couldn't take the betrayal of his closest friend at all. The movie deeply explores mental health issues and the impact of emotional drama on young minds.

Excellent Performances by Eden Dambrine and Gustav De Waele

Eden Dambrine is brilliant, playing a coming-of-age character struggling with new learnings and a huge loss at his age, along with the guilt that he may unknowingly be the reason why Remi did what he did. Gustav De Waele is equally good, even with lesser screen time. It was heartbreaking to see how Remi has a fistfight with Leo at school, which was more of an emotional outburst that had been building for a while.

Verdict on Close

Overall, Close promises a lot in the first half of the movie and then falters, becoming manipulatively emotional. A different execution would have resulted in a much better movie.

Rating: 6.5/10

Also, Check out Movie Analysis of Living