While director Mainak Bhaumik is known for drama and comedy films like Bibaho Diaries, Ekannoborti, Mini and Generation Ami, Bhaggyolokkhi has been different take altogether. This is different even from the handful of unusual films (Bedroom and Bornoporichoy) in Mainak Bhaumik's filmography, and that makes Bhaggyolokkhi a film that stands out. Bhaggyolokkhi stars Ritwick Chakraborty, Solanki Roy, Loknath Dey and Sujan Neel Mukherjee in lead roles.
Basic Plot- A middle class couple hopes to get their family back on track after both of them lose their jobs. Destiny gives them an opportunity, looking to grasp which, the couple gets entangled into a dark web of politics, law and crime.
Positives
Camera Work, Editing and Background Score
The technical department has done a fantastic job in the film. The smart camera angles, coupled with the jump cuts and the frequent contrast of upbeat and somber music gives this film a very distinct taste. The cinematography has been great throughout the film. Several shots are very well taken where most of them showcases the tonality of the film. One can easily notice very contrasting camera angles being nicely juxtaposed (close ups and wide angles, hand-held and still) which provides depth to the characters/scenes and are amusing as well. The contrast editing and hard cuts paired with the eerie bgm transitions are nicely crafted and really invoke that thrill factor, the viewers are in for. Horror, art house and dark comedy film fans will be in for a treat, for the technicalities this film involves. These three departments manage to create a very intoxicating concoction of several classic cinematic elements which are seldom seen in Bengali films.
Direction and Screenplay
Writer director Mainak Bhaumik has made sure the screenplay remains tight, and tight it is. Although the runtime is only 120 minutes, the director doesn't let character development and world building go for a toss. The starting is steady and the film picks up pace as it dives into the core plot. While the story is simple, the screenplay is to watch out for. The film (in terms of screenplay) will surely remind you of Sriram Raghavan and Ayushmann Khuranna's 2018 blockbuster Andhadhun due to it's overall pacing and organic screenplay. The character designing has been good as well where all characters have something special and unique to offer to the audience. It's quite enjoyable how camera angles and shot takings change while capturing different characters to complement their unique traits. Also, the film keeps it's satirical momentum till the very end without faltering which further solidifies the filmmaker's intent behind the film.
Performance and Humor
The satire and dark comedy is amplified by the cast performances for sure. Ritwick Chakraborty and Solanki Roy put up great performances which compliments the genre of the film. The husband-wife banter throughout the film is pretty solid, which is all the more enjoyable in scenes where the couple dismember a cop's dead body, clean the floor which is covered with blood, unintentionally disturb their apartment's security while trying to get rid of the dead bodies, argue with each other on digging a hole (as the wife has done manicure and the husband has spondylitis) to hide the corpse. Several unfunny and serious situations are successfully treated in a completely contrasting way and that makes the film a memorable experience.
Underwhelming Aspects
Appeal
While the film is extremely good in particular, it lacks an universal appeal. Majority of the family audience will watch the film only as an abruptly designed thriller, completely overlooking the craft behind it. A significant number of people may not understand the dark humor as well, and that would leave them with nothing to cherish or rejoice about the film. People may even find the ending to be unnatural and unusual as well. A few questions are left unanswered in the film for sure, but that's not something to complain about. Overall this film hasn't got a mass appeal, and that's not even intended or expected in the first place. It's just that a mass appeal would have generated a bit more business.
Conclusion
While this film is a genuinely good and successful attempt in the dark comedy thriller genre, it's the satire that's not for everybody. It's a niche film and it would be difficult for the film to perform beyond the niche segment. Nonetheless, the target audience will enjoy this film to the fullest and while it may not churn out big numbers at the box office, it's safe to assume that director Mainak Bhaumik already knew it's box office fate and thus, wasn't very keen on trying to spread this film among the masses. This is a good gesture as greed leads to sin and sin leads to death!
Watch Out For
The end credits won't roll but go sideways (like in a reality show), paving the way for the ultimate climax.
WTF Recommendation
7.5/10