Well Well Well!!! We finally got to watch the movie Animal over the weekend and here’s our thoughts.
Though there is not much to spoil in the storyline, I must give a disclaimer that there maybe some elements which you could consider as spoilers in my review below.
Before I write anything about the movie “Animal” let me first say that I chose specifically not to address the main character here as a “Hero” in stereotypical Bollywood terms. You would realise later why.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal” presents an abundance of elements – from its extensive runtime to the extremes of violence, love, obsession. As the writer, director, and editor, Vanga crafts a narrative that delves into a violent father-son dynamic, offering little respite from its relentless pace.
Within this troubled tale of the protagonist, the older man’s wife makes sporadic attempts to interject, seeking to express herself amid the chaos. However, her endeavours are consistently ignored by her husband, underscoring the stifling atmosphere within the family. Meanwhile, the protagonist’s wife, despite having more to say, contributes a stream of vacuous verbiage that fails to resonate, both with her husband and the audience.
In addition to the narrative excess, “Animal” boasts plenty of style, pushing the boundaries of Ranbir Kapoor’s performance. The film unfolds with unbridled excess, refusing to halt at any juncture. Notably, a disturbing incident occurs when the hero’s elder sister faces harassment in college. Driven by a schoolboy with a pathological sense of entitlement, he barges into her classroom wielding a gun, unleashing several rounds without restraint.
This cinematic endeavour becomes a relentless journey, marked by its extended sequences of violence, strained relationships, and a narrative trajectory that seldom offers a moment to catch one’s breath. The film’s unapologetic commitment to its intense themes, though impactful, may leave audiences grappling with the overwhelming surfeit of emotions and the dark undercurrents that define “Animal.”
The tale of a boy deeply idolising his immensely wealthy industrialist father, who unfortunately lacks the time to reciprocate the overflowing filial affection, spans nearly three and a half hours. However, the film “Animal” proves to be exhausting for more than just its runtime. I
“Animal” endeavours to convince us that it’s perfectly acceptable for a devoted son to go to extremes when protecting his father and two sisters from perceived threats. Given the constant looming danger, the film suggests he’s entitled to act as rudely as he pleases.
The main character, played by Ranbir Kapoor, goes all out, shedding copious amounts of blood, taking numerous lives, and venting his anger when uncovering a conspiracy to harm his father and seize the family’s steel plant. In matters of love, niceties hold no place for this assertive individual. His approach to love is more of a seize-the-moment stance than a romantic proposal. Marriage isn’t suggested; it’s outright demanded.
His singular focus seems to revolve around securing unwavering loyalty from Geetanjali (Rashmika Mandanna) (thankfully a brilliantly mixed cultural narrative which avoids any fake accents), a girl he had feelings for since school but hasn’t seen since being sent to the US by his angered father, Balbir Singh, with the hope of a positive transformation.
Yet, the status quo remains unchanged. Ranvijay Singh returns, displaying an even darker side than before, while the woman complies without a protest. Though she possesses a voice, it is merely a reaction to the man’s unilateral actions, which he conveniently portrays as consensual. Even when he strays from his marital commitment and forges a connection with another woman (Triptii Dimri), he presents a rationale so implausible that only a person of his ilk could conceive.
If the hero embodies such traits, can the antagonist (Bobby Deol, grappling to make an impact in a brief appearance) be any different? Unfortunately not. The villain, residing in distant Scotland, acts according to his whims, emerging well into the latter half of “Animal.”
In a bid not to be outdone, the malevolent antagonist spares no effort to establish his ruthlessness, mirroring the bloodthirstiness of Ranvijay Singh, scion of the business group that controls Swastik Steel. The narrative intensifies with a heinous attack on Balbir Singh (Anil Kapoor), prompting a venomous retaliation that triggers an unending cycle of violence.
In an attempt to assert the dominance of a man’s world, “Animal” portrays two men grappling with physical impairments and deep mental scars. One loses his sense of taste, smell, and hearing after enduring six bullet wounds that push his heart to the brink of collapse.
The other cannot speak, relying on a brother who serves as a sign language interpreter. Their climactic confrontation, typical of vengeance sagas, unfolds on an airstrip, emphasising the physical limitations that underpin their psychological wounds. The film’s portrayal of physical shortcomings underscores the cyclical nature of vengeance in this brutal world crafted by “Animal.”
Rating: 3.5/5
P.S. I really wish I got to see more of “Lord Bobby” in the movie. Maybe we get to see a spin off about Bobby’s (Abrar Haq) saga of turning into an animal? Well, why not?
Trailer below,
