Movie - The Buckingham Murders 
Director - Hansal Mehta 
Cast - Kareena Kapoor Khan, Keith Allen, Ranveer Brar
Duration – 107 Minutes
 
If you've ever wondered what a murder mystery would look like if it decided to take a nap, The Buckingham Murders might just be your answer. Streaming now, this film tries to blend heart-wrenching drama with detective work, but ends up feeling like a sluggish afternoon tea where the tea is cold and the biscuits are stale.
 
Kareena Kapoor Khan stars as Jasmeet Bhamra, a detective who moves to the idyllic town of Buckinghamshire following her son's tragic death. What follows is a murder investigation involving a young Sikh boy and a troubled Muslim suspect. Sounds juicy, right? Well, buckle up for a ride that's more like a gentle cruise through sleepy townsville than a high-octane thriller.
 
The film's approach to the murder mystery is like watching someone slowly unravel a knot while you sit there wondering why they’re taking so long. Director Hansal Mehta seems more interested in showcasing Kareena’s grief than in actually solving the case. This makes the movie less of a whodunit and more of a “let’s meditate on grief and communal tension” session.
 
Kareena, in a role that’s as unglamorous as it is intense, gives it her all. Her performance is so drenched in sorrow that it might just soak through your screen and into your living room. But even her considerable talent can’t quite lift this film from its sluggish pace. The film’s emotional depth feels like it's trying to drown the murder mystery in a sea of tears.
 
The supporting cast, including Ranveer Brar as Daljeet Kohli, is on point, but their talents are somewhat wasted. They’re like the side dishes in a meal that’s mostly missing the main course. The film’s supporting characters add flavor, but the main dish—the murder investigation—feels like it’s been left in the oven too long.
 
The real star here, though, is the color palette. Jasmeet’s wardrobe is a parade of dark, moody hues, making her look like she’s perpetually attending a funeral. The only pop of color is from her son’s blood-soaked yellow T-shirt, which becomes a symbol of hope and happiness but mostly just looks like a fashion faux pas.
 
Visual storytelling is strong, thanks to Emma Dalesman’s cinematography, which manages to turn Buckinghamshire’s quaint charm into a melancholic backdrop. The music by Karan Kulkarni adds to the film’s introspective mood, but it’s like bringing a lullaby to a murder mystery—sweet but decidedly soporific.
 
While the film aims to dig deep into themes of grief and communal strife, it often feels like it’s wading through molasses. The murder mystery gets overshadowed by a dense fog of emotional introspection, leaving viewers feeling more like they’ve watched an art-house film about bereavement than a gripping detective story.
 
The Buckingham Murders tries to be a poignant exploration of grief wrapped in a murder mystery but ends up as a tedious exercise in emotional heavy lifting. If you’re in the mood for a movie that’s slow, reflective, and occasionally makes you want to check if your pillow is calling, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect your pulse to race; it’s more likely to take a leisurely stroll.