- BOTTOM LINE: Great Action-Contrived Emotions
Rating: 2.75/5
Platform: Netflix | Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
What is the Story about?
In a futuristic world where only one child per family is allowed, and siblings are put to sleep to accommodate for the survival of others, what happens to a set of seven twin siblings growing secretly from the prying eyes of the government?
Performances?
Noomi Rapace, as always, is dependable and gives her part a hundred percent. In What Happened To Monday, she gets to explore her skills at a different level as the opportunity is provided to act in seven different looks, styles and body languages.
The sincerity with which Noomi Rapace goes about her work is amply visible in every frame. Generally, we see multiple layers or shades to a character, that makes it a tough job for an actor. Here each such tone has been turned into a role. So we have seven different personality traits as different characters. Having said that, they are all enacted with great panache by Noomi Rapace. The action parts do stand out among all as they belong to the most engaging moments of the narrative.
Direction By Tommy Wirkola?
Tommy Wirkola has a decent premise in his hand which is established conclusively in the opening minutes itself. It gives good scope for action and thrills along with a high drama, but he is not able to come up with a solidly knit show to provide a knockout punch.
The initial set up and the way the various characters played by Noomi Rapace are introduced, and the narrative that builds around them piques our interest big time. It hits a peak once the action block kicks off. There is relentless action and its highly engaging. So, where do things go wrong?
It is the contrived screenplay binding the drama and suspense to action that spoils the fun initially. Still, the central protagonist and the acting hold things together and create a high expectation. But as we move to the final act, slowly everything falls apart, and the whole narrative crumbles under its own weight.
All the various mysterious that is built into the narrative comes across as weak and shallow. The rest of the roes besides the central one add to the screenplay of convenience. The twists are predictable, and drama is so poorly written that one cringes looking at the happenings.
In the end, what stays with us is the two massive action blocks featuring kickass Noomi Rapace in intense action. They are correctly set up and end unpredictably leaving as asking for more. Luckily these action blocks end up consuming a more substantial part of the film, and the rest of the section is small. Overall, that leaves us partially satisfied, but with a feeling that it could have been much more.
Others Artists?
When the lead star of the attraction has seven roles to herself, it is definitely going to be difficult for others to have a proper character and shine on the same level. It is precisely what happens here in What Happened To Monday? William Dafoe manages to register, but it’s more due to the role’s importance in plot moment that acting per se. Glenn Close gets laughably bad towards the end. Marwan Kenzari disbelief in the character arc shows in his face. Christian Rubeck plays a part that is as bland as he looks and delivers. The rest are forgetful.
Music and other departments?
The music by Christian Wibe fails to stir up any emotion. It follows a template sound associated with movies of this kind. The cinematography by Jose David Montero is alright. The grittiness goes missing in a few places. Martin Stoltz’s editing is fine. Few of the visual effects moments look tacky. And finally, the writing by Max Botkin and Kerry Williamson gets weaker progressively.
Highlights?
Noomi Rapace
Concept
Action Blocks
Drawbacks?
Weak Climax
Contrived Screenplay
Weak Antagonist
Did I enjoy it?
Yes in parts
Will you recommend it?
Yes but with little reservations
What Happened to Monday Review by Siddhartha Toleti
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