The Buckingham Murders Movie Review: Let me start this review with a small grievance: the title, The Buckingham Murders, is somewhat misleading. Yes, there are three 'murders' in the film, but one doesn't occur in Buckingham, and another happens too late and isn’t exactly a mystery death. Kareena Kapoor Khan's detective focuses on solving just one murder. Still, the title suggests we’re in for a deranged serial killer’s spree. That said, Hansal Mehta’s investigative thriller is quite arresting, with a gripping mystery, relevant topical themes, and a rock-solid performance from lead actor and co-producer Kareena Kapoor Khan. Kareena Kapoor Khan Celebrates 25 Years in Bollywood With ‘The Buckingham Murders’—Her First Production Venture.

Jassmeet Bhamra, aka Jazz (Kareena Kapoor Khan), is a brilliant police detective living in the UK. A single mother, she is mourning the loss of her young son, who was shot by a drug addict. Jazz transfers to Birmingham to escape her grief, but her first case there involves the disappearance of a young boy, Ishpreet, the adopted son of Daljeet (Manpreet Brar).

Watch the Trailer of 'The Buckingham Murders':

To make things worse, the lead detective on the case, Hardik Patel, aka Hardy (Ash Tandon), is cold towards her and frequently brings up her son's death to taunt her. When the boy is later found dead, the police arrest a local Muslim boy, but Jazz is convinced they have the wrong person. She embarks on a mission to uncover the truth, all while communal tensions rise in the area.

'The Buckingham Murders' Movie Review - A Gripping Mystery Drama

If you plan to watch The Buckingham Murders, I recommend opting for the Hinglish version instead of the Hindi one. It’s more natural to hear the actors in their own accents and tones rather than the clipped, dubbed version.

A Still From The Buckingham Murders

I’m not a big fan of the common plot device where the protagonist tackles a case while battling personal trauma. At times, when the film delves into Jazz’s grief, the pace slows in an unappealing way, particularly when you're engrossed in the mystery. However, Hansal Mehta pleasantly surprised me with how he weaved Jazz's trauma into an impressive climax, leading to some unexpected twists. ‘The Buckingham Murders’ Trailer: 5 Powerful Scenes From Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Movie That Stay With You From the Promo!

The investigation is captivating, drawing you into a mystery that holds until the very end, while at the same time, it helps explore the characters further and the communal politics of the arena. Though the pacing is slow, it doesn’t drag the proceedings and complements the atmosphere that the director has nurtured. A couple of plot twists, however, could have been handled more subtly instead of making it so very obvious early on, such as the overly obvious shadiness of one of the investigators. Mehta plays it somewhat safe in depicting the communal tensions, positioning Sikhs and Muslims on opposite sides (though the vengeful detective is portrayed as Hindu). Even so, these scenes add a constant, looming sense of dread over the central plot.

Mehta deserves praise for casting the right actors to portray local cops and immigrants. And then, of course, there’s Kareena Kapoor Khan, who carries the film even during its slower moments. It’s a restrained performance, with the actress portraying Jazz's internal turmoil and grief exceptionally well, with occasional bursts of emotion. The restraint allows those few sharp, impactful moments - be it the scene where Jazz comes out of her house to let out a scream of anguish or when she delivers a scathing comeback to a misogynistic colleague - to have more impact while also reminding us why Kareena remains the queen of sass. Ranveer Brar, Prabhleen Sandhu, Ash Tandon, Sarah Jane Dias and Keith Allen are commendable in the supporting cast.

'The Buckingham Murders' Movie Review - Final Thoughts

The Buckingham Murders is a slow-burn thriller that hooks you with its layered mystery despite a few minor stumbles in pacing. Hansal Mehta’s direction is sharp, and Kareena Kapoor Khan's nuanced performance elevates the mystery thriller. While it may not be among the director's best works, The Buckingham Murders still keeps you gripped in how it processes the inner conflict of its troubled protagonist through an investigation that challenges her grief.

Rating:3.5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2024 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).