- By Srishti Pandey
- Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Buckingham Murders Review: Hansal Mehta’s movie takes audiences into the bleak, rain-soaked world of Buckinghamshire, where Kareena Kapoor Khan delivers an emotionally charged performance as British-Indian cop Jasmeet Bhamra. Set against a gloomy backdrop, the film follows Jasmeet Bhamra, a mother grappling with the tragic death of her young son, as she navigates the investigation of a missing child in a close-knit community.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, known for her lively roles in films like Jab We Met, surprises the audience with a performance filled with restraint, raw emotion and vulnerability. Her portrayal of Jasmeet is the heart of the movie, and she brings depth to the character's quiet grief and determination. One standout moment is a moving confrontation between Jasmeet and her father, where Kareena’s portrayal of emotional turmoil strikes a deeply authentic chord. It’s these human moments that give the film its core strength.
While the film touches upon familiar crime procedural elements, The Buckingham Murders distinguishes itself with its focus on character-driven storytelling. Jasmeet’s internal journey as a grieving mother plays a central role in the narrative and Kareena’s performance elevates the film beyond the typical whodunit format. Her ability to portray the nuances of loss and trauma, all while balancing the high-stakes investigation, is one of the film's major achievements.
The supporting cast, including celebrity chef Ranveer Brar in his Bollywood debut, adds layers to the story. His portrayal of the father of the missing child injects an additional emotional weight into the film, while Prabhleen Sandhu, playing his wife, complements the intense atmosphere. The ensemble contributes to the film's broader themes of communal tension, cultural dislocation and the challenges of immigrant life in the UK, which are well-explored without overshadowing the central mystery.
Visually, Mehta's direction lends a noir-like feel to the film. The moody, mist-laden shots and understated music heighten the film’s sense of melancholy. It captures the immigrant experience in London with subtlety, reflecting on the pressure to assimilate into a foreign society while retaining cultural identity. The exploration of these themes is where the movie stands out, offering more than just a traditional thriller.
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However, while the film successfully builds emotional layers, the pacing, particularly in the first half, might feel slow for audiences expecting a tightly-packed crime thriller. The tension, though present, takes a backseat to character exploration and the narrative's predictability may feel familiar to avid fans of the genre. That said, it’s a deliberate choice by Mehta to prioritise the emotional arcs over plot twists, which some viewers may appreciate for its introspective storytelling.
The muted colour palette and minimalistic soundtrack add to the film’s sombre tone, drawing viewers into the complexities of loss, trauma and cultural isolation. Although the suspense doesn’t peak in a traditional sense, the film maintains a lingering sense of unease that fits its meditative approach to crime and grief.
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The Buckingham Murders | Final Verdict
Rating: 3/5
The Buckingham Murders may not be a fast-paced crime thriller, but it offers an emotionally rich narrative with Kareena Kapoor Khan at the forefront of an introspective journey. Hansal Mehta’s thoughtful exploration of grief, immigrant challenges and human connections creates a film that, while lacking in high-octane tension, delivers on the power of performance and mood. Fans of Kareena and those seeking a more nuanced, character-driven mystery will find much to appreciate in this movie.