“Ring Christmas bells, merrily ring!” Don’t skip Merry Christmas! It is showing in cinemas near you now!
Warning: Do Not Cross, Crime Scene Ahead! And Beware Of Minor Spoilers Ahead Too!
Is Andhadhun (2018) your favourite Sriram Raghavan-film too, just like it is Katrina Kaif’s? I wouldn’t say that Merry Christmas is better than Andhadhun, but it is definitely brilliant, slick, and crisp. Sriram Raghavan once again proves his directorial prowess with his latest neo-noir murder-mystery and crime thriller film, Merry Christmas.
Directed and co-written by Sriram Raghavan, the thriller stars Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles, alongside Sanjay Kapoor and Vinay Pathak in supporting roles, with Radhika Apte in a special appearance. With a runtime of 144 minutes, Merry Christmas is a delightful watch for fans of the “neo-noir” genre, and for those who love edge-of-the-seat crime thrillers or murder-mysteries.
The first big Bollywood release of the year 2024 is here now! And boy, it is a neo-noir crime thriller, and not a mindless action entertainer! Could it get any better?
My Feelings While Watching Merry Christmas
I watched Merry Christmas this morning, and here’s how I felt while watching the film!
Honestly, watching Merry Christmas feels like having a plate of Bengali biryani that gradually grows on you. Merry Christmas is a plate of biryani that one relishes, but slowly, and with time.
The first hour or so feels like the elaichi in the biryani that adds flavour to the biryani but spoils the overall experience of devouring the biryani. This is because the first hour builds up at a relaxed pace and does not offer much thrill. It does throw some hints at the audience here and there, but you have to pick most of them up yourself.
The last ten minutes before the interval, and the first twenty minutes after it, feel like the meat in the biryani. The plot develops brilliantly in these scenes and the movie finally turns interesting. The climax in the police station feels like the aloo; it is tastefully done but it simultaneously underwhelms.
Merry Christmas often appears less of a crime thriller film and more of a dark romantic comedy film of sorts that offers suspense at regular intervals. Despite its flaws, Merry Christmas is worth your time and money!
The Plot Of Merry Christmas
Adapted from a French novel, Merry Christmas opens on the beautifully lit up streets of the bustling city of Mumbai (when it was called Bombay) on a Christmas Eve. Albert (played by Vijay Sethupathi) has returned to the city after seven long years and is mourning the death of his mother. To overcome his blue mood, he strolls on the streets of Bombay to submerge himself in the festive spirit.
He visits a lavish restaurant to help himself to a wonderful feast, and comes across a beautiful woman called Maria (played by Katrina Kaif). Maria is with her daughter, and her daughter is clinging to a big teddy bear. After dining at the restaurant, Maria visits the cinema so that Annie, her daughter, can watch her favourite film, Adventures Of Pinocchio. Maria comes across Albert there as well. Maria leaves the cinema as Annie falls asleep, but Albert too leaves, and follows Maria out.
While leaving, Albert offers to walk Maria and Annie back home. Maria then calls Albert home and offers him a drink out of politeness. Later, the two of them visit Albert’s house as well. The festive night that initially appears romantic suddenly turns nasty and ghastly in no time as a series of unforeseen events unfold. Albert feels that his Christmas night is growing merrier in the company of Maria, but her presence soon locks him up in a labyrinth full of surprises. That’s how the saga unfolds.
I generally come to the cinema feeling relaxed and at ease. However, for this film, it was different. From the very beginning, I decided to watch the film with undivided attention so that I could pick every hint, clue, cue, and nuance. I did not want to blink even an eyelid so that I could grasp most of what I was seeing. Why should I spoil the film for you by revealing what unfolds next here? Watch the film yourself on the weekend to find out!
My Thoughts About Merry Christmas
A slow-paced first half leads to a mind-blowing second half. Though the characters and the plot take time to build up, the movie picks up momentum and intensity in the second half. The film could have been crisper but the mind-boggling second half and the out-of-the-box climax compensate for the first half which is a slow burn.
Twists, turns, metaphors, symbolisms, surprises. Murder, mystery, thrill, suspense, crime, intrigue, deception, death, darkness. Merry Christmas has them all. The plot, the storyline, the direction, the acting performances, the screenplay, the story-telling, the script-writing, the character portrayals and development, the cinematography, the accompanying vocal music and background score, the climax; everything is impressive and top-notch.
Vijay Sethupathi, as always, completely steals the show. He is flawless. Katrina Kaif is brilliant and enchanting. She too is almost flawless. Both of them outperform themselves as actors, but don’t overpower their characters even once in their restrained performances. All the other actors too are so good in their roles.
Vijay Sethupathi never disappoints, only his accent does. His eyes do most of the speaking. Katrina Kaif does not look expressionless or robotic even for a moment, and portrays the vulnerabilities of her character Maria, with utmost elan.
The narrative is so decoratively and ornately dressed up with a visible love for retro music and cinema. The setting of the film looks like that of the 1980s, when Mumbai used to be called Bombay. The depiction of Bombay back in time, the nostalgic Regal Cinema in Colaba, and, needless to mention, Sriram Raghavan’s intelligent use of Asha Bhosle Ji’s “Jab Andhera Hota Hai” from the film Raja Rani (1973), capture the essence of the film perfectly.
Sriram Raghavan uses numerous retro songs from retro movies, a number of film references here and there, an effective background score that does not fail to create an impact, and so many beautiful Christmas songs and carols, to create the setting and mood of the film. The portrayal of old Bombay in the film, almost as if it were a character itself, is nostalgic and heartfelt. (Also, I am glad that this movie was not shot in Pune too, although Raghavan’s films have great repeat value.)
Merry Christmas uses a number of props such as mixer grinders, Annie’s teddy bear, Albert’s origami, the buttons in the lift, the fish in the aquarium, the Raymond Chandler books, the bird in the cage that Albert gifts to Annie, and so on. Besides the cast of the film, these props are equally integral to the plot and storyline of the film. Sriram Raghavan uses these props as symbolic elements or as metaphorical references, almost as if they’re the characters that are narrating the story to the audience.
Vijay Sethupathi as Albert impresses with his humourous one-liners. The dialogues are not the best, but are good enough to deliver what the film wishes to.
How the film ends is, as usual, intriguing! The film does not have a definite ending, just like most of Raghavan’s previous films. This is called a “cliffhanger”. An open ending or a cliffhanger leaves ample scope for individual interpretations, judgements, and conclusions. This adds to the thrill and the suspense that the narrative has to offer. The viewers leave the cinema feeling satisfied, but longing for more. This is what I like the most about Raghavan’s films. This is typical of him.
Just like R.D. Burman will be remembered for his timeless tunes, and Albert Einstein will be remembered for his equations of Physics, and Albert (from the film) will be remembered for making the most scrumptious dosas, Sriram Raghavan will be remembered for redefining the “unstructured genre of crime film – neo-noir” in Indian cinema.
(You can read more here.)
Why I Recommend Watching Merry Christmas
The film won’t make you go “wow” but it still qualifies as a mysterious and gripping thriller that isn’t just about the unconventional pairing of two very distinct actors – Sethupathi and Kaif. Though it is not the best gift that you could expect from Santa on Christmas, it is a must-watch because it is Sriram Raghavan’s cinematic world of black comedy and dark humour.
Christmas is not the same for everyone. Everyone does not celebrate Christmas the same way! For someone, Christmas might mean returning home after a very long time. For another, it may mean trying to create an alibi to hide dark secrets. For me, Christmas will not be the same anymore! From this year onwards, Christmas is going to remind me of this film, every year!
Merry Christmas is a product of good cinema, brilliant story-telling, excellent script-writing, stellar performances, and the mind of a genius called Sriram Raghavan. It keeps you at the edge of your seat throughout, but don’t expect to jump out of your seat, because the twists and turns are not that twist-y and turn-y.
You don’t get a good crime thriller these days that keeps you hooked, does not bore you, does not give away too much, and does not become overwhelmingly predictable. Merry Christmas is fresh, unique, experimental, nail-biting, and nuanced. It is not every day that Bollywood produces an engaging thriller that does not disappoint.
Sriram Raghavan is back with a bang after almost six years, and Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif, besides the engaging narrative, storyline, screenplay, script-writing, and cinematography, are the real cherries atop the most delicious Christmas cake!
Don’t expect another Andhadhun because there can be only one Andhadhun, but Merry Christmas is equally artful and masterful! Merry Christmas makes you think, interpret it in your own way, and discuss the film with your friend. So get tickets to the film with a friend, grab your popcorn, relax, submerge, absorb, and analyse!
Don’t miss this suspense drama that keeps you hooked till the very end. Also, don’t forget to check your belongings before you leave the cinema! And beware of pickpockets in the cinema hall.
If you are looking out for a thriller film that has all the quintessential hallmarks of Sriram Raghavan, along with layered performances from the star cast, Merry Christmas is the perfect film for you to watch! You can watch the movie in cinemas near you now, in Hindi or Tamil.
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