Darlings

It's almost funny how relatable Darlings feels to me because I have been witness to domestic abuse. It's so ordinary and routine everywhere that the quality makes it funny when you see the same proceeding unleash on the silver screen with high-profile actors looking ready to get behind the camera portraying such roles. As for the film as a product, I believe the whole cast and crew do a wonderful job at showing the extremes of what domestic abuse can do to people on both sides of the spectrum. The matured take on the morality? It's like the chef's kiss on this darling film. Watch it on a laid-back evening.

Ever had a pudding that looked exquisite and smelled delicious but turned out to be a little undercooked as you took the first bite? Almost telling you that the cook had quality ingredients at their disposal but failed to fully satiate your senses. It is akin to how Darlings made me feel.

Looking at the cast and having heard a positive thing or two about the film, I went in to watch with considerable expectations but was rendered feeling underwhelmed at the end of it. While one can point out at the lack of remarkable dialogues and a fairly lackluster climax; at heart, it seems as if the makers weren't manifestly clear about what kind of emotions they wanted the audience to feel through the course of the movie.

The description on Netflix says that the film is a "dark comedy". In essence, it's a story about domestic violence loaded with slapstick elements. Just because the fulcrum of the plot is a sensitive issue, doesn't make it a dark comedy.

Ironically, there's a scene in the movie where Hamza (played by Vijay Varma) asks Zulfi (played by Roshan Mathew) about the film that he's writing. When Zulfi tells he's been working on a horror-comedy, Hamza replies with, "Agar faluda mein whiskey milayega, toh thodi jamega" (If you mix Faluda and Whiskey, it's likely to taste bad). It is funny that you could say something along similar lines about Darlings itself. While the comedy never quite sets you on a laughing spree, it does digress the makers from several opportunities where they could have made the audience feel visceral emotions.

The entire second half shows Badru (played by Alia Bhatt) turning the tables on her husband Hamza and avenging the constant abuse she had borne. It feels as if somebody penned down the intrusive thoughts of revenge that go through the mind of a victim of domestic violence and brought them to life. However, it seems to go a notch too far as she constantly drugs Hamza and thereby severely dilutes the impact of the climax. In fact, as we go through scenes of policemen not even considering the man being a victim of domestic abuse, it is very much possible to feel unempathetic towards Badru when she's eventually set free.

The cast has proven artists. With their high standards, it is hard to see this being Alia's or Vijay's best performance. Shefali Shah outshines everybody. Plotwise, the depth of Hamza's character, along with some obvious 'conflicts' that could be brought to forefront seem like unexplored territories. All in all, the film leaves a fair bit to desire.

Kudos to the makers for choosing a black comedy genre to deal with a serious topic of domestic violence and not making it over-dramatic or a hard-hitting film. Jasmeet K Reen in her directorial debut did an excellent job. The movie is well-written by Jasmeet & Parveez Sheikh and tightly edited by Nitin Baid, the film will keep you hooked till the climax. The background score and songs go well with the film.

Not only direction and writing, but the movie also excels in terms of performance. Alia Bhatt is undoubtedly one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema, she always gets into the skin of her character and plays it with complete conviction. The viewers will witness two very different personalities of her character in the first and the second half of the film.

Vijay Varma also delivered an impressive performance, switching from an abusive husband to a loving husband is exceptionally performed by him. Shefali Shah plays her part brilliantly. With limited dialogue and limited screen time, Rajesh Sharma managed to leave an impact. Roshan Mathew, Vijay Maurya, and other supporting actors were good in their parts.

Direction 3/5 Acting 3.5/5 Music 2.5/5 Story 3/5 Screenplay 3/5.

Good Flick, Credit has to go to the entire team and the director, Alia Bhatt is definitely some actor and can give many Holywood actors a run for their money but I think Shefali shah has nailed it. I enjoyed watching more of her than Alia, The movie is well executed dark comedy but boring at times when the two main protagonists come together but the presence of Shefali shah kept the movie go along nicely.

For all those who look for different content, here is your turn. This movie is different from any other Indian movie in many ways. It will make you think and analyse. A conserved mind may not understand this movie but if you are open and non judgemental, this movie will force you to fell in love with it. On top of that brilliant performance by Alia and the entire team. Each and every actor seems to justify the character which he/she is playing. Dnt go on negative review, they are just those people who know to spread hatred. If you miss on this movie, you are actually missing a big fish.