The Buckingham Murders: Review

Most times I try and watch something Indian on OTT, I end up getting disappointed. So, I had avoided watching this (and a few others that were recommended). Based on word-of-mouth reviews and the director’s name, ended up watching, ‘The Buckingham Murders’ last night (Netflix).  This movie had a theatrical release but I learnt that it had a dismal run (but the general buzz online was the moviegoers were not discerning enough). 

Kareena plays a cop mourning the death of her only son, and who is saddled with the investigation into the murder of another young boy, against her wishes. What appears to be an open-and-shut case takes turns thanks to Kareena’s gut feelings, much against her seniors. Naturally, she ends up solving the case, averts communal tensions between the two major immigrant communities (Muslims and Sikhs), ensures an innocent teen is saved from jail term and possibly from his drug addictions too , even as she delivers a slap here and a punch there. She solving the case also helps her find closure to the pain of losing her son in a mindless shooting case. 

The movie is very atmospheric but the plot doesn’t allow for any character to develop, apart from Kareena. Nor does There are umpteen plot twists and some you see them coming and others, you don’t. It feels as though the script writers were high on the drugs that form a plot point while writing the screenplay.  While the acting by most actors is competent, none of the characters will stay in mind once the credits roll.

Even though the movie is set in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, all characters behave as though they’re in India - including the Brits. They mouth dialogues that are typically uttered in run-of-the-mill Hindi movies, albeit without the same intensity or shrillness. The immigrants from sub-continent even bristle at the immigrant police officers who speak to them in English, and urge them to speak in Hindi (as against Punjabi/Urdu). 

Rating: 1.5* 

Verdict: Avoidable.