Mrs. Undercover Movie Review: Script Analysis
The challenge of achieving a perfect balance in the comedy-satire genre has grown with its increasing popularity in recent years. The key to success lies in avoiding a physical antagonist and instead relying on situational antagonism. Usually, situational antagonists are more effective unless the writer creates an exceptional villain character that is seamlessly integrated into the plot. However, Mrs. Undercover fails to achieve this balance as it tries to do the opposite.
Mrs. Undercover: A Disappointing Attempt at Espionage Comedy
Despite the catchy title, Anushree Mehta’s Mrs. Undercover fails to live up to expectations. The movie features Radhika Apte as Durga, a former undercover agent now leading a mundane life as a housewife in Kolkata. However, her past catches up with her, and she finds herself back in the world of espionage.
Saheb Chatterjee’s character Deb in Mrs. Undercover is portrayed as a toxic husband, who wouldn’t be missed if he met with an accident in the kitchen. As the story progresses, Durga, played by Radhika Apte, encounters another example of misogyny in the form of Ajay, a serial killer who preys on independent and educated women.
Although Ajay has been targeting educated and independent-minded women in Kolkata, he has managed to evade both the police and Durga’s boss, Rangeela. Durga, who is always anxious and disconnected from reality, may be Kolkata’s only hope in catching Ajay. Can she be the city’s version of Clarice Starling.
Mrs. Undercover: A Mismatched Mix of Humor and Misogyny
The humorous tone of Mrs. Undercover doesn’t quite fit with the serious subject matter of a misogynistic serial killer. The film’s lighthearted humor is more similar to Baadshah than Kahaani, which has a stronger feminist theme. Durga’s character seems to have taken inspiration from Kahaani’s avenging angel, and the Kolkata setting serves as a nod to the divine namesake of Durga.
While Sumeet Vyas delivers a chilling performance as Ajay, the movie Mrs. Undercover appears to focus more on the comedic moments resulting from Durga’s clumsy and scatterbrained behavior. The absurdity of the situations is infectious, and even characters like Rangeela add to the overall buffoonery. However, this approach does not do justice to the seriousness of the film’s themes, and the portrayal of law enforcement agencies appears unprofessional and unrealistic.
Reviewing the Screenplay of Mrs. Undercover
The screenplay of Mrs. Undercover misses many opportunities, and the investigation conducted by Durga, the protagonist, is shambolic and fails to engage the audience. Instead, the most engaging parts of the movie are the inappropriate scenes, such as Rangeela’s attempts to convince Durga to return to work, which are more entertaining.
Radhika Apte’s high-energy performance adds to the overall absurdity of the film’s cartoonish storyline. Despite being lectured on women’s liberation by others and constantly belittled by her intolerable husband and mother-in-law, Durga prevails, largely due to Apte’s dedication to the role. The film fails to adequately develop Durga’s transformation from a mundane housewife to a courageous hero.
Mrs. Undercover” Delivers Amusing and Notable Performances with a Well-Written Screenplay
Recruiting Durga: A Thrilling Start to Mrs. Undercover
In the beginning of the film, a string of murders are occurring in the city, targeting independent and self-sufficient women. All the undercover agents have been killed by the intelligent killer, leaving the spy team with no choice but to recruit Durga, played by Radhika Apte, a housewife who has been waiting for an opportunity and has 12 years of experience as an undercover agent.
Chemistry and Comedy Shine in Mrs. Undercover
The Acting Shines, but the Screenplay Falls Short in Mrs. Undercover
Mrs. Undercover with Radhika Apte as the lead is still an enjoyable movie despite the mentioned drawbacks, particularly if you’re in the mood for a spy thriller with a comedic twist.
Radhika Apte’s portrayal of Durga in Mrs. Undercover is charming, particularly in her sarees and Black Widow-inspired suits. Apte’s acting is natural and effortless, without relying on excessive visual cues, showcasing her talent once again. Despite not being known for action roles, she executes them convincingly, considering her character’s ten-year break from spy work.
Mrs. Undercover’s Direction and Music: A Movie Review
Mrs. Undercover struggles to strike a balance between its various elements, resulting in an uneven composition. Despite some positive features, the film’s flaws are challenging to ignore, and the visuals come across as contrived and manipulative. Furthermore, the music does not contribute much to the storytelling.
Mrs. Undercover Movie Review: The Good and the Bad
The movie Mrs. Undercover suffers from poor execution, with a lack of a clear tone and unique perspective.
