Monica, O My Darling: A Stylish But Empty Shell of a Film
Monica, O My Darling, now streaming on Netflix, wants to be the hatke film from Bollywood. Hatke means different, a departure from the usual Bollywood fare. It’s been touted as a mix of neo-noir, black comedy, and crime thriller. But despite its flashy cinematography and heavy-handed music, the film ultimately falls flat. Director Vasan Bala, known for his previous film Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, prioritizes style over substance. While Monica, O My Darling is visually captivating, it lacks any real depth. Adapted from Keigo Higashino’s Burūtasu no Shinzō, this film is all plot, with twist after twist, creating a convoluted narrative that loses its meaning by the end.
A Plot That Spirals Out of Control
The film follows Johnny Arkhedkar, an ambitious man who works at the robotics company Unicorn Group. He is in a relationship with the boss’ daughter, Nikki, while secretly dating the boss’ secretary, Monica. Monica, however, is not the innocent secretary she appears to be. She reveals to Johnny that she is pregnant and uses this revelation to blackmail him financially. It turns out, she has been engaging in affairs with various men at the company, including Nishi, the boss’s son, and the accounts guy, Arvind.
When Nishi discovers Monica’s blackmail scheme, he decides to get rid of her. He and Arvind plot her murder, but their amateurish attempt backfires. As Unicorn employees begin to die, the investigation falls on the shoulders of ACP Naidu, played by Radhika Apte. The film follows the chaotic events as Johnny and his associates frantically try to cover up Monica’s death, making one poor decision after another.
Lackluster Characters and Convoluted Story
While the performances are competent, the characters themselves are shallow and lacking in any compelling development. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Rajkummar Rao, Huma S. Qureshi, and Radhika Apte, but their roles are ultimately underwritten. Apte’s ACP Naidu is the only character who stands out, while Rao’s Johnny is constantly fretting and putting out fires. The rest of the cast either dies early on or is relegated to serving the plot.
One of the most baffling aspects of Monica, O My Darling is its reveal of the film’s mystery right at the beginning. Despite knowing the identity of the murderer early on, the film attempts to keep the audience engaged with twists and turns that ultimately feel forced and unnecessary. The film’s convoluted plot, with its constant backstabbing and conspiracy, becomes increasingly tedious as it progresses.
A Symphony of Style Over Substance
Monica, O My Darling attempts to stand out with its flashy aesthetics, including a heavy-handed use of background music, notably the catchy "Yeh Ek Zindagi." The film leans heavily on over-the-top shots, like dolly zooms, that feel gratuitous and detract from the overall experience. The excessive style, however, cannot mask the film’s shallowness. The heavy reliance on plot twists and turns overshadows any potential for character development or emotional depth.
A Disappointing Attempt at a Crime Thriller
Ultimately, Monica, O My Darling falls short of its ambition. While it tries to deliver a compelling crime thriller with elements of comedy and noir, it fails to deliver on any of these promises. The film is overstuffed with plot twists and turns, resulting in a convoluted narrative that feels like a headless chicken running around. The characters are shallow and uninspired, and the story lacks any real depth or intrigue. This film is an example of style overshadowing substance, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment and a lingering feeling that a potentially interesting story was wasted.
