89 (2015)

Such a frustrating disappointment

good film but with many flaws

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

What? This is a question that can lead you to any extent. Cold is the red in the form of hemoglobin, may it be on the axe's part, may it be on the tree's. Conventional yet unconventional is a game of numbers that leads to the story of searching the death. Whatever it is, Manoj Michigan's 89 is a thrill of which crime can well be your supper of a no-lunch day, kudos Saswata Chatterjee. It is that kind of a film where you would enjoy the magnificence of Chatterjee's acting and in process you would also want him to better his own self, of course by the portrayal of the negative. Raima Sen steps into a psychiatrist as her Dr.Purba Bannerjee persists on with her regular duties. However, there is something that haunts her with two unknown eyes from the flashbacks of her memory. Following a bomb blast, of which Dr.Purba is an eye witness, enters police inspector Anup Bhargava played by Shataf Figar. The investigation continues alongside a nascent love story succeeded by a hypnotic treatment of Dr.Purba. The past gets revealed that lets Dr.Purba to be aware of the killer of her previous life. Begins the search for Sabyasachi Pal. Enters Saswata Chatterjee, a serial killer imprisoned at a heavy duty cell in North Bengal. And then, the confrontation of Dr.Purba with Sabyasachi in the name of an interview. The rest gets unfolded at the theatres. The film goes into flashbacks as it extensively deals with the concept of reincarnation. The post-treatment attitude of Dr.Purba is not too revealing of a revenge, again maintaining the theme of cold- bloodedness. The audience shall not expect the suspense revolving around the number 89 to act as their brain nutrients. That is what forms the circumference. However, the story will lead them to the core of a numerological mystery. Certainly there could have been a better use of drama while the climax demanded a bit more of it, something that could have actually been brought down from the bomb blast investigations. You can hardly be a detective if you are watching 89, no playing spoilsport to the climax. Saswata the actor has the complete ability to eclipse others in his presence. One can simply forget everything while watching him perform. Those who have always had the desire for "some more" of the Bob Biswas, should definitely make out from their busy schedules to visualize this businessman-cum-murderer in action. As he recalls the events of his criminal attire, you would definitely have the Bob of Kahaani feeling. However, the portrayal here is different to a considerable extent. Raima is just what the character ordered for. Shataf is a good portrayal with his accent and indeed much promising on his part. Manoj Michigan has dealt with a descent screenplay for his 89. And, when it comes to Saswata, you will always enjoy the dialogues. So simple it is for him to tally the balance sheet of his character with his own being. From a paraglider extreme long shot till the afterthought POVs, the film is technically strong with its cinematography and editing supported by some good background score. One has to take note of the light used in the Saswata-Raima sessions. The film will take you through the alleys of a prospective death, either you enjoy it or you fear it. But, you can't just avoid Sabyasachi Pal. Hence, through the pages of your fairy novella, you can well steal glances at the holocaust, quite obvious of profitable returns to your ticket prices.