The Buckingham Murders has released worldwide today. The film features an exceptional ensemble cast, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, and Keith Allen. Directed by Hansal Mehta and written by Aseem Arrora, Kashyap Kapoor, and Raghav Raj Kakker, it is a Mahana Films and TBM Films production, presented by Balaji Telefilms and produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, and first-time producer Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Overall Rating : 3.5/5
Plot : The story centers on Sergeant Jasmeet ‘Jass’ Bhamra (played by a wonderfully subdued Kareena Kapoor Khan), who is mourning the tragic loss of her young son Ekam (Mairaaj Kakkar). When assigned to investigate the case of a missing boy, Ishpreet, who is around Ekam’s age, she initially refuses to take it on. However, after being reminded of her duty, she reluctantly starts the investigation. Ishpreet’s parents, Daljeet Kohli (Ranveer Brar) and Preeti Kohli (Prabhleen Kaur), are trapped in a loveless marriage. As the investigation progresses and Ishpreet is discovered dead, new twists emerge, culminating in a finale that, while not entirely unexpected, leaves an impact which we didn’t see coming.
What We Liked : The thriller has all major elements that a quintessential thriller must have intact! The film is far away from being preachy and having shown characters involved in drug abuse, infidelity, homophobia and even hatred against religion, the film’s core lies in finding the killer and the refreshing motive.
What Worked : The fact that in just 40 minutes, we reached the interval point worked well with the pace and grip of the movie. Having shown Kareena’s character’s major loss in the film in the 1st scene itself, the movie glides soon to show the primary conflict. Also, the brilliance of the secondary characters which seamlessly take the movie forward is one of the film’s highlight.
What We Didn’t : The Buckingham Murders despite having countless twists and an unexpected ending did not do anything to me in terms having a shock value or remaining with me post leaving the theatres. Though the film is well-weaved and is assisted by some able performances, the thriller did not give me thrills as expected and it ended up being a film which makes sense but doesn’t do anything else. It is a movie best for it’s niche audience.
Performances : Kareena Kapoor Khan as Jass Bhamra is resilience snowballed in grit and anger. She shines brightly in her role of an officer who is fighting her past trauma but has to wake up everyday to solve a case which angers her even more taking her back to her past. Ranveer Brar as Daljeet Kohli shines in his debut only as a frustrated, angry, sexist and revengeful character showing different shades to the T. Prabhleen Kaur comes to her skin at the climax only.
Conclusion : Chances are that you may be able to guess the climax and who killed Ishpreet and you might not as well. If you want to watch a movie showing Buckingham in it’s full grey glory, a Kareena Kapoor Khan in full glory and a fine Ranveer Brar, you may watch The Buckingham Murders. For all those who just can’t resist a fine thriller, they can give it an easy miss.
