Cast: Rajit Kapoor, Aham Sharma, Rati Agnihotri, Harsh Chhaya, Pooja Kanwal, Richashree
Director: Rajesh Ganguly
He doesn't look like a cop or a detective. But ever since Rajit Kapoor acted as the bhadralok sleuth, Byomkesh Bakshi, in a Doordarshan television serial directed by Basu Chatterjee in the 1990s, he seems born to solve murder mysteries.In the pretentiously titled Blue Oranges, Kapoor again plays an investigator who probes the killing of an attractive woman. He must investigate a bunch of suspects -- ex-lover (Aham Sharma in a polished performance), tenant's son, a rich-brat who gave her a lift and the police commissioner's own brother (Harsh Chhaya) who had befriended her -- before arriving at the startling truth. It is Kapoor's presence -- intelligent and dignified - that makes the whodunit much more watchable than it actually is. The story may be original but the killer's identity reminds you of a famous Agatha Christie novel.
Blue Oranges is painstakingly crafted but too dour and too clinical for its own good. It is all mind and no heart. The progression of the case causes no corresponding rise in the viewer's heartbeat or curiosity level. Bereft of humour, pace and drama, the movie takes on a drab, monotonous tone. If it were a television serial, one would have been tempted to switch channels.
No comments:
Post a Comment