The Buckingham Murders Review: kareena kapoor Shines in Hansal Mehta’s Poignant Tale of Grief and Grit
The Buckingham Murders challenges traditional portrayals of maternal grief in indian cinema, offering a multi-dimensional view through kareena kapoor Khan's compelling performance. Unlike the usual depiction of mothers as mere symbols of sorrow, Kapoor's Jasmeet Bhamra transforms her grief into a driving force in the film.
Following the tragic death of her son in a shooting, detective Jasmeet Bhamra relocates to Buckinghamshire and takes on a case that painfully echoes her own loss. The case involves the murder of a Sikh boy, with a Muslim drug addict as the primary suspect. True to classic murder mysteries, the sleepy town setting adds a layer of intrigue. As Jasmeet delves deeper into the case, the town's seemingly tranquil facade unravels, exposing underlying issues of communal violence, discrimination, and homophobia.
Though the film doesn’t deliver non-stop thrills, Hansal Mehta’s direction effectively captures the emotional currents driving criminal behavior. The focus on immigrant emotions sometimes overshadows the murder investigation itself, making the mystery feel somewhat secondary.
The Buckingham Murders is a slow-burn police procedural that highlights kareena kapoor Khan's exceptional talent. Under Mehta’s direction, Kapoor moves beyond her glamorous image to deliver a nuanced portrayal of unresolved grief and devastation. Her subtle rebellion and silent anguish become central to the film, particularly in a poignant scene where she contemplates her grief from her father’s perspective.
Kapoor’s performance is complemented by a strong supporting cast. Ranveer Brar as Daljeet Kohli, who has suffered multiple losses, delivers a powerful performance, while Ash Tandon as ‘Hardy’ patel and Kapil Redekar as Saquib Chowdhary excel in their roles. Prabhleen Sandhu also deserves praise for her portrayal of the understated Preeti Kohli.
The film’s visual elements enhance its emotional depth. Mehta's choice of Jasmeet’s wardrobe, predominantly in dark hues, underscores her mourning, with the only splash of color coming from her son’s blood-soaked yellow T-shirt—a symbol of hope and happiness that Jasmeet clings to. The film’s color palette, curated by Mehta and editor Amitesh Mukherjee, accentuates its somber tone, while Emma Dalesman’s cinematography treats the characters' environments as extensions of their inner lives. karan Kulkarni’s music further enriches the film by exploring the experience of being indian abroad.
Although the murder mystery itself is somewhat predictable, with the writers Aseem Arrora, Raghav raj Kakker, and Kashyap Kapoor focusing more on character emotions than on delivering gripping suspense, the film's exploration of isolation and grief is noteworthy. The Buckingham Murders stands out for its stellar performances and visual storytelling. Kareena Kapoor’s performance, much like in Udta punjab and Jaane Jaan, continues to impress, making this collaboration with hansal mehta a compelling cinematic experience.