Merry Christmas Movie Review
The film is based on the French novel Le Monte-charge, written by Frederick Dard. A film, directed by Marcel Bluwal, based on the book, and carrying the same title, was released in 1962. It's basically a two character psychological drama, a sort of cat and mouse game between the two leads. The other characters do matter, but they only enter the fray during the second half. Who they are and what they do would be a spoiler. The complex screenplay flows at its own pace. One can say that the film is a slow burner. But don't let the lack of pace fool you. Take your eyes off and you might miss a crucial point. It's going to be one of those films which you want to watch a second time just to savour the details more.
The taut screenplay is complemented by some witty dialogue. When asked what he wants to drink, Albert says anything fermented, except dosa batter, would be fine. The editing and camerawork, sound design and background score too are on point. The film pays homage to Shakti Samanta but the real homage is to Alfred Hitchcock. Listen closely, and the background score feels like a medley of what RD Burman used to deliver in his prime. Composer Pritam and lyricist Varun Grover have combined to give songs which are christmassy and hummable at the same time. Mumbai residents would have a good time spotting familiar Colaba landmarks.
Director Sriram Raghavan took a bold risk casting Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi together. While Sethupathi is known for his knockout performances, Katrina is known more for her item numbers than her acting chops. In Zero, Aanand L Rai took the same gamble and it paid off. And here, perhaps in her first full-fledged dramatic role, Katrina has shown she can stand and deliver, given she gets a competent director who respects her talent and doesn't just see her as a PYT. Vijay Sethupathi gives another solid performance. He's understated throughout, graciously letting his female co-star hog the limelight. Your heart goes out to him all the same. And at the end, where he doesn't use dialogue but his eyes, his expressions say it all, is a masterclass in acting. All the pathos of the moment is felt without a word being spoken.
The other players, be they Radhika Apte, Vinay Pathak or Sanjay Kapoor, all have done their jobs competently.
It's a noir film but unlike noir films, besides the darkness of the soul, it also showcases the triumph of human spirit and compassion – something that's intrinsic to Christmas. It's a dark comedy that will make you smile and scratch your head at the same time.
Trailer : Merry Christmas
TNN, January 12, 2024, 1:36 AM IST
Merry Christmas Movie Synopsis: The lives of a woman in an unhappy marriage and a man with a mysterious past are turned upside down on Christmas Eve.
Merry Christmas Movie Review: In the coming days, one word that’s sure to be associated with Merry Christmas is 'slow burn’. In the past few years, we, as an audience, have become so accustomed to a fast-paced narrative that anything remotely unhurried feels like it's demanding a lot from us. In Merry Christmas, Sriram Raghavan takes his own sweet time to tell the tale of a woman in an unhappy marriage and a man with a mysterious past while also making sure that his characters have abundant time to breathe, talk, and even go for a walk around town.
Of course, comparisons between Merry Christmas and Sriram’s last directorial, Andhadhun, are inevitable. But if Andhadhun’s first half was one hell of a ride with a monumental interval block, Merry Christmas chooses to lingeringly unleash its inner demon in the second half. Do the whys and wherefores of it all seamlessly come together at the end of the film? Maybe not. But it certainly keeps you hooked to the screen throughout, even at junctures where you have absolutely no clue what’s going on.
Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif’s pairing has already been discussed to death, but after watching the film, it makes sense why everyone has been looking forward to watching this onscreen couple. There’s a sense of subtleness and a spur-of-the-moment feel about Vijay that directly contrasts with a precise and sophisticated Katrina. But both actors radiate a gentle aura that works well together.
As good as Vijay and Katrina are in their respective roles, Ashwini Kalsekar and Shanmugarajan get the best lines that will leave you in splits. Both of their characters can be added to the list of supporting characters that deserve their own spinoff.
In a scene in the film, one character tells another that there’s no point in watching a movie without popcorn. Similarly, there’s no point in watching a Sriram Raghavan movie without expecting sporadic flashbacks, film references, completely out-there characters, and an edge-of-the-seat experience. All of this is also applicable for Merry Christmas, but in a quieter and lighter fashion.
Written by: Roopa Radhakrishnan
