Merry Christmas Movie Review
Thriller, Drama
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Artist: Vijay Sethupathi, Katrina Kaif, Tinu Anand, Sanjay Kapoor, Radhika Apte (Guest Role) etc.
Rating: 3/5
Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Katrina Kaif, Tinu Anand, Sanjay Kapoor, Radhika Apte (Guest Role) etc.
Cinematography: Madhu Neelakandan
Music: Preetham
Background Score: Daniel B. George
Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Release Date: January 12, 2024
Bollywood South Indian movie 'Merry Christmas' starring Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif. This means that this movie has been made in Hindi and Tamil languages. It was also dubbed into Telugu with the same name.
Due to the huge competition and controversies on Sankranti, many people in the Telugu audience do not know that this movie will be released. Sriram Raghavan, who has made award-winning thriller films like 'Badlapur' and 'Andhadhun', has directed this film. How about a 'Merry Christmas'?
Marry Christmas Movie Story:
Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) returns to Bombay after seven years on the night before Christmas. The man next door (Tinu Anand) tells him that his mother is dead. On the same day, he goes to a restaurant for lunch. Maria (Katrina Kaif) comes there with her daughter. He leaves Maria's baby in the middle of the date when she comes to take him on a date. Albert goes to the cinema from there.
Maria also accidentally goes to the same movie. There the two get to know each other. Maria invites Albert to her house for the Christmas celebrations, knowing that he has no one. When Albert and Maria go out, Maria's husband is dead in the hall. What happened after that? Who killed Maria's husband? Why did you kill? What is Albert's past? You have to watch the movie to know that.
Marry Christmas Movie Analysis:
Sriram Raghavan's specialty is to drive the story without reaching the imagination and expectations of the audience. So far, in the films made by Sriram Raghavan, the storyline is short, but with the treatment, he turns it into something special. 'Merry Christmas' also goes in that category.
In terms of story, the line of 'Merry Christmas' is very short. But Sriram Raghavan's magic is seen in the making itself. From the beginning of the movie, the way the story runs and the behavior of the characters takes the viewer's mind to one side. But what actually happens on screen is a different story.
Most of the first half revolves around Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif's chemistry. The real story starts from the interval. The first half is a bit slow but never boring. The second half is very gripping. Anything to say about this movie will definitely be a spoiler.
Without revealing too much about the screenplay, Vijay Sethupathi... When Katrina Kaif came out of the house, what happened? What happens? What is going to happen?' When Vijay came to Katrina's house for the second time, 'Is this it? I feel like I've seen this all the time. So whatever emotion the lead actors feel on the screen... the audience will also feel the same emotion and thrill.
Another plus point in the screenplay and character design of 'Merry Christmas' is that Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif are having fun sitting and talking to everyone who sees 'something different' ... it seems that there is something behind it. If you feel like that in thrillers in general, you should think that there are flaws in the writing. But here it's not a flaw in the writing, it's a brilliance. Every word spoken by Vijay and Katrina has a hidden meaning.
In some scenes, the words coming out of the mouth and the expression in the eyes have no relation. In one scene, Vijay Sethupathi says, 'It's like watching a movie comfortably for these three hours. It's like a dream. I have to leave before the alarm wakes me up.' But even the audience who sit and watch before will understand that Vijay Sethupathi will not go there. But it doesn't seem like a predictable scene. Same for magic.
The climax of the film is likely to get a mixed response. Those who like 'Andhadhun' like an open-ended climax will have no problem with this movie. But the director wants to give a proper ending to the audience but it seems to be left in the middle.
Even technically, 'Merry Christmas' was made without compromising anywhere. First of all, if we talk about the cinematography, it is clear that this is a retro movie, but the story that takes place in the period has been taken care of so that it does not reach the imagination of the audience. Hollywood movies released in 1940 and 1978 are played in the same theatre. There is no calendar anywhere in the film.
The background music is also very new. One can hear the kind of music used in Hollywood thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s. The background score which comes in a single pitch, especially in the climax is just superb. The set work is also amazing. Katrina Kaif's home set evokes a retro house. The shot division is also very well done. Lengthy shots are also taken very effectively.
Marry Christmas Movie Actors Performance:
the chemistry between Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif is a big plus point for the movie. They took the movie to another level with their performances. Vijay Sethupathi has never been seen in such a role in recent times. He gave a performance in the range of perfect choice for the role of Albert who has a lot of depth. Vijay Sethupathi's timing and punches are the highlight.
I have not seen such organic comedy even in out-and-out comedy movies in recent times. Katrina Kaif is a surprise package in the movie. There was a rumor that Katrina was not good at acting. But in 'Merry Christmas' we will see a completely new Katrina. It can be said that this is the best performance of his career. All the other actors acted according to the scope of their roles.
Overall... 'Merry Christmas' is a must-watch movie for thriller lovers. A top-class romantic thriller by Sriram Raghavan that never misses its mark.