We have just celebrated Christmas, and many are still in their celebratory mood. At such a time comes a movie that won’t go unnoticed – Merry Christmas. The title seems to be the first element for the film to create intrigue. Coming from the Sriram Raghavan vault (Ek Hasina Thi, Johnny Gaddaar, Agent Vinod, Badlapur, Andhadhun) adds to the curiosity. Apparently all Sriram Raghavan titles are noteworthy, they keep you thinking and compel to watch it. It does not end there; it is the lead cast that is the icing on the cake – Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi! The film is positioned in a semi retro style and the same is transported on screen.
Maria (Katrina Kaif) is at a restaurant with daughter Annie (Pari Maheshwari Sharma) when out of nowhere Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) steps in, informing Maria that her husband Jerome (Luke Kenny) has left for some urgent work and they are on their own. From the restaurant the mother-daughter duo head to a cinema to find Albert seated just besides. The ice is broken, they interact with their sitautions and walk up to Maria’s place. Things go on until a time when they find Jerome, Maria’s husband, lying dead with a revolver in his hand.
The narrative takes us back in time to also intoduce Albert’s girl friend Rosie (Radhika Apte). Enters Ronnie (Sanjay Kapoor) who helps Maria as she falls sick (in the church) during the midnight mass. Ronnie finds an ‘opportunity’ in this and offers to drop Maria home. What happens before and after this point is a decent screenplay that hooks the audience in awe waiting nervously of what to expect next. Most of the story is across one Christmas night with noticeably minimalistic attires.
For the audience who have watched Sriram Raghavan films, they will vouch for his storytelling technique. For most of the run time there are very few characters in the narrative. In fact in the pre interval session, one might sense it as a two actor film with entertaining wordplay dialogues supported by equally interesting retro background score.
Vijay Sethupathi as Albert stands tall and outdoes everyone else. His character is so creatively penned that you don’t want to take of your attention off him. Vijay performs with great ease and stunts other characters right through the end.
Ever since her debut in Boom (2003) Katrina Kaif has finally stepped out of her comfort zone for a character that expresses multitude of emotions. Katrina surrendered completely to Sriram Raghavan. She is in total control. Don’t miss her smooth flowing dance with steps as smooth as the wine she sips along while she flirts with Albert in a gay mood.
Sanjay Kapoor as Ronnie lightens up the sombre mood only to make the story more intriguing. He spreads his charm with his smile and mannerism in the limited role offered to the character.
Radhika Apte as Rosie, Tinnu Anand as Albert’s neighbour, Vinay Pathak as investigating officer Kamdar are all aptly cast actors contributing to a suspenseful narrative that would leave the audience thinking till the last frame – what next?
There seem to be a few flaws or unexplained situations that some avid viewers may spot but they do go unnoticed while watching the film. One might notice it only post your exit from the theatre. However, this can also be considered, in a way, the success of the director that he has given talking points to take back home.
A mention of the music is a must for ‘Merry Christmas’. It is after a long time that a composer has offered a true retro feel in the background score especially the use of violins that help in conveying the mood and taking the story forward.
Sriram Raghavan continues his winning streak on the lines of his last directorial ‘Andhadhun’ being so much appreciated that it was remade in various regional languages. For the movie buffs who binge on suspenseful dramas, this one is absolutely unmissable.
Movie: Merry Christmas
Directed by: Sriram Raghavan
Cast: Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi, Pari Maheshwari Sharma, Sanjay Kapoor, Radhika Apte, Tinnu Anand, Vinay Pathak, Ashwini Kalsekar, Pratima Kannan, Luke Keny
Duration: 2hrs 24mins
