Monica, O My Darling

Monica O My Darling (2022) : Movie Review -

Vasan Bala's Monica O My Darling has a freaking blasting cast of Rajkummar Rao, Huma Qureshi, Radhika Apte, Sikandar Kher and Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, but the film is even more blasting. This is an interesting mix of multiple layers of genres such as neo-noir, crime, comedy, thriller, and black comedy that British cinema mastered decades ago. Monica O My Darling is racy, splashy, sexy, humorous, comic, thrilling, and somewhat slashy, but as a whole, what a freaking amazing mix it is. There haven't been many black comedies made in Bollywood, and whatever we have is either mediocre or overrated (including Netflix's own material). Monica O My Darling finally puts an end to that wait. We have waited a long time for a modern-day black comedy for years, maybe decades, since "Jane Bhi Do Yaaro" (1983), which had a satirical angle overfilling the black comedy elements. Vasan Bala's medley does not surpass or match that, but it definitely ends up being one of the best modern works after that.

Monica O My Darling starts off with a murder that doesn't involve any of your main characters. This is where you should start hyping it because a smart director keeps all his aces hidden in the first round, and here Vasan had so many. Jayant Arkhedkar (Rajkumar Rao) is appointed to the Unicorn Tech board of directors, making his colleagues envious. He is engaged to his boss' daughter, Niki (Anushka Ranjan Kapoor), and has an illegitimate affair with Monica Machado (Huma Qureshi). He desperately tries to make it big with some unlikely allies and a dastardly, diabolical plan to pull off the perfect murder, but things only get worse. A quirky cop, ACP Naidu (Radhika Apte), takes charge of the murder investigation while Jayant and his colleague try to get away and hide their secrets from cops, their boss, and their love ladies. The race takes them into a cobweb that covers other walls too, and you'll have to see the film to know every detail because spoilers are injuries to the viewing experience.

Firstly, a big round of applause for the writer, Yogesh Chandekar. Man, you have done it like a pro! So many characters, so many goofy ideas with brain, so many twists and you alone handle it without spoiling the basic fact of the universe - Karma. Hail you, man. Monica O My Darling is not simple at any point. It's a very complex story with so many layers, and the screenplay covers everything, even if it's illogical, because that's what comedy is sometimes. It has a pacy screenplay with eye-pleasing visuals and grooving background music, especially the retro classic song "Monica," which will not give you a chance to move an inch away from your seat. While doing so, it doesn't forget to do some high-quality brainstorming at the same time, causing a wonderful viewing experience with the brain, heart, and veins all working at the right place.

Rajkummar Rao is back! He hadn't gone anywhere, but that substantial work was missing in his last few projects (and to be honest, the projects weren't that good). Now, I can't say it any longer. Monica has done the trick for him. He is back in form - as an actor and as a good choicer as well. It's an open field for him, and he plays without any boundaries. Huma Qureshi has had a fantastic year, and Monica O My Darling adds another feather to her hat. She is sexy and greedy, but not a bastard. Radhika plays a hilarious part as ACP Naidu, which is an unusual thing for female cops in Bollywood. The style, attitude, and persona she carries in this film are really nice. One more surprise here is Akansha Ranjan Kapoor. She is a young, sexy, and stupid girl from a rich family, and she behaves like one. Those urban spoilt brats can relate to her character. The supporting cast is no less strong here. Sikander Kher's banger act shines, while Zayn Marie Khan, Sukant Goel, Bagavathi Perumal and Vijay Kenkre are phenomenal in their roles.

Monica O My Darling's technical departments will undoubtedly leave you with a lasting impression. The background score is absolutely enchanting and one of the finest works of art in this field for any Bollywood movie recently. What wonderful music Achint Thakkar and Mikey McCleary have provided! I was tapping my foot on every song, every beat, and how cleverly it has been put in parts of the narrative in different situations. While you admire the cinematography, Atanu Mukherjee's editing takes the cake. Was there any competition between the technical crew of this film or what? Like, all are gonna do well, but who's gonna do better or even better than that. A special mention to the somewhat underwhelming dialogue for not going over the top every time, while they still go so often. Those abuses and F-words are becoming quite normal for Netflix projects anyway.

Vasan Bala should write a book about how he created Monica O'My Darling so that other writers and filmmakers can learn how to create a true blue Neo-Noir crime comedy thriller in Bollywood style. Firstly, this mix of multiple genres was too much for one cinematic brain, then there was a huge cast, then there was a pressure to avoid cliches or use them in a new way, and the list goes on. You need multiple brains to handle multiple things, but Vasan Bala did it all alone. How? Do you have 3 or 4 brains there? He gets into the details of a small scene with so much care and intelligence. He knew where to use comic music and lyrics; he knew exactly where to use humour, thrills, twists, and other forces. It's not that he was doing something out of this world or that any scenes were like that. He was showing only regular, known scenes, but in his own different style. I can't reveal all those scenes, but here's one of them. Towards the end, Rajkummar is riding a bike, and he is going to get killed. As we all know, the hero never gets killed like that, so we know that he is going to survive, but how? That was the question. What's new from Vasan? Actually, it was just the same old trick of a group of locals passing by, but this time it was a Warkaris group singing "Vitthal Vitthal Mhana, Ha janma Nahi Punha." For the unfamiliar (like most of you are), that tone is from Humraaz (1967) - "Neele Gagan Ke Tale." Vasan has looked at such small details, and at the end, he simply follows the biggest lesson of Karma to leave you jumping on your seats. You wouldn't want to miss that fun, I believe, so don't miss Monica O My Darling.

RATING - 7/10*

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of my analysis, I shall convey my sincere admiration for Vasan Bala and the stupendous job he has done as the Director here! Black Comedies are quite tough to pull off, one little mistake, and the whole shebang could go off the track at any given time, at any given moment.

Not to mention the Writing has to be precise and it should also conserve a tonal equilibrium between the comedy and the heart-stricken calamities. Any presence of incompetence in its supervision will spoil the party and the film will end up being a middling affair filled with nothing but mediocrities.

Vasan Bala, however, is one unique force to be reckoned with, especially in this specific realm that employs tragedies and their subsequent results. Not only is he aware of his mastership, but it also is one such genre he's quite familiar with, and let me give you some assurance here, he owned it, and he did not disappoint; on the contrary, I do feel this is his best work to date.

P. S. One of the finest usage of Background Music I have ever seen (or heard) in my entire lifetime. Now, some of you might argue that it's overstuffed, matter of fact, it probably is, yes, but Mr. Bala's approach served the narrative nonetheless!

As a gym instructor, I always make fun of fellas from accounts department cos of their pot bellies n thakela (low energy) attitude.

I saw this few days back on Netflix.

I regret not seeing this earlier.

The movie is very entertaining n has enuff thrills n humor.

Haven't read Burutasu No Shinzou by Keigo Higashino upon which this movie is based on.

Rajkumar Rao wearing a t-shirt with the logo of Giant Robo is epic. The guy is a terrific actor.

The movie has three good babes.

I didn't like Huma Qureshi.

Akansha Ranjan Kapoor is a busty babe, Radhika is an athletic built babe n Zayn Marie Khan is hot.

The moment the movie starts you know that you are in for a roller coaster ride. Slick editing, retro music, background score immediately engages the audience and the guessing game starts on who is the hunter and hunted. I would suggest that if you are going to watch in a group then raise a wager.

On the acting front it's a Rajkumar Rao show ably supported by the other actors most notably Huma Qureshi. Radhika Apte has very little to do but delivers with usual gusto.

Some chinks though in terms of too much background music, could have maintained more suspense etc. Could have shown more of Pune city and its vibrancy.

A few blink n miss cameos from actors who have played a couple in one move.

You will get the feeling of Johhny Gaddar and Andhadhun while watching this movie.

Seldom comes a movie with a story, screenplay, acting, direction etc. That's a perfect 10. Monica O My Darling just misses it's mark by a whisker.

Overall thoroughly enjoyable. Have not enjoyed anything rom the Hindi industry for ages. This comes like a breath of fresh air.

It is not without its faults like the direction and screenplay could have been a bit more taut but overall a delightful film.

Rajkumar, Huma, Radhika Sikander and everyone else do so well I just Marvel at how talented these guys and girls are unlike the talentless overhyped, media made so called A listers today.

A huge revelation for me personally was Huma and Sikander who deserve a lot more and I can only hope and pray that they get their dues.

We all know about the talents of Rajkumar and Radhika and as usual they come out aces! Truly gifted talents.

Enjoy this one, don't take it too seriously but it's not a time pass one either. It's a wonderful joy ride!