🎬 Film Review: Dard (2024)
Genre: Psychological Thriller
No Spoilers
A doctor and a superstar actor are murdered in the city. Is Dulu Mia responsible, or is someone else behind it? To find out, you need to watch Dard.
Expectations from a Shakib Khan movie are typically low. Criticizing his work often invites unpleasant backlash, and even mentioning that you've watched his films may provoke ridicule. Moreover, the controversial director Anonno Mamun is known for creating more buzz than delivering results. While Shakib Khan has been striving to deliver cleaner films since last year, Anonno Mamun's filmography is almost devoid of hits. With this combination, I had no intention of watching this movie. But after watching it, I realized I had been wrong.
✅ Positives:
1. Shakib Khan's brilliant performance in a psycho role - He is evolving, carefully selecting scripts, which is commendable. While he was once criticized for poor-quality films and acting, his efforts to redefine his career deserve applause. His chemistry with Sonal Chauhan is lively, and the emotional scenes are well-executed.
2. A unique concept for Bangladeshi cinema - To my knowledge, this kind of storyline is unprecedented in the industry, and the trailer didn't give much away. The overall plot was quite engaging.
3. A fast-paced screenplay - The narrative never drags or feels stretched unnecessarily, ensuring you're not bored at any point.
4. Background music and cinematography - While the BGM is slightly loud, it effectively sets a thrilling atmosphere. The location in Varanasi and the cinematography stand out. Additionally, Imran's song is the only one that truly touched my heart.
⛔ Negatives:
1. Predictability - The film becomes too predictable, especially for viewers accustomed to watching thrillers. They'll likely figure out everything from the start.
2. Weak dialogue in romantic scenes - While the performances make up for it, the romantic portions could have benefitted from better writing.
3. Over-the-top comedy and villain portrayal - Some of Shakib's comedic scenes feel a bit loud, though not unbearable. The negative characters could have been more distinct to deliver a stronger impact.
4. Underwhelming climax twist - The twist in the climax could have been presented better. The director attempts to leave some aspects unexplained but ends up making it feel incomplete.
Final Thoughts:
Judging films solely by their box office performance is unfair. This movie is clearly targeted at a classy audience, not Shakib Khan's typical fanbase, who may not appreciate it. Neutral viewers, however, might expect a more polished screenplay. The lack of effective promotion, a non-festive release, and Anonno Mamun's marketing missteps could lead to its commercial failure.
Overall, Dard felt like a reasonably good movie. The most surprising elements were Shakib Khan's impressive acting and Anonno Mamun's unexpectedly enjoyable direction. With a more refined screenplay, the twists could have been genuinely surprising.
