Adaptations, especially from a different culture and language, present an exciting opportunity to filmmakers. They offer the chance to reinterpret, reimagine and recontextualize a foreign narrative to resonate with a new audience. Yet, the beauty of such an endeavor lies in its execution.
Shome Makhija’s “Blind,” a Hindi adaptation of the eponymous 2011 Korean film, regrettably falls short in its endeavor. Despite a compelling lead performance from Sonam Kapoor, the film’s poor execution, lack of pacing, and narrative predictability are major pitfalls in what could have been a thrilling cinematic experience. On my scale, the movie rates a 2 out of 5.
Blind – The Plot: A Chilling Premise but Dull Execution
“Blind” opens with an engaging premise: a visually impaired cop, Gia Singh (Sonam Kapoor), living a quiet life in Glasgow, inadvertently crosses paths with a serial kidnapper and killer. This confrontation triggers a cat-and-mouse game that forms the backbone of the narrative. Yet, despite the plot’s inherent potential for suspense and action, the execution is lackluster, the pacing painfully slow, and the narrative progression woefully predictable.
The film starts off on a grim note, with Gia losing her sight in a tragic accident that also claims the life of someone she loves. (See the movie stills) It is here that “Blind” initially sparks interest. But this spark fizzles out as the screenplay seems to get stuck in first gear, never quite revving up the action or suspense.
The writing, unfortunately, is half-baked, leading to a narrative arc that feels more like a gentle slope than a thrilling roller coaster. This monotone pacing leaves the audience underwhelmed, diminishing the impact of the climax, which ends up feeling stale and unsatisfying.
Lack of Character Depth: A Missed Opportunity
One of the key elements that add depth to a thriller is well-rounded characters. The audience should feel the pain, fear, and determination of the protagonist, Gia, and should shudder at the sight of the antagonist, the ruthless serial killer portrayed by Purab Kohli. However, the film seems to have missed this mark.
There’s a distinct lack of character depth, especially with Kohli’s character. His motivations and background remain vague and unexplored, resulting in a portrayal that is neither menacing nor sympathetic.
Gia’s journey of reclaiming her life, despite the adversities, is another opportunity squandered. The depth of her trauma – losing her sight and a loved one – is not fully explored, leaving a gaping hole in the emotional core of the film.
The audience is told of Gia’s pain but not shown enough to truly empathize with her. This missing emotional depth, coupled with the film’s slow pacing, results in a thriller that isn’t particularly thrilling.
Sonam Kapoor: A Beacon in the Dark
Despite the film’s narrative shortcomings, Sonam Kapoor’s performance as the visually impaired Gia is commendable. She brings a fresh perspective to the role, portraying her character’s tenacity, determination, and vulnerability with aplomb.
Her performance is one of the reasons to stay through to the end of this sluggish narrative.
However, even her commendable acting skills are hampered by a screenplay that doesn’t do justice to her character. The emotional portions, where Kapoor’s character is supposed to emote grief, are especially underwhelming. Yet, she manages to hold her own, making Gia a likable character despite the script’s flaws.
Visuals and Sound: Adding Little to the Narrative
Gairik Sarkar’s cinematography brings some life to the film. His color choices and settings add drama to otherwise dull scenes. However, these elements seem to be in harmony with the story more than the characters, making them seem more like set pieces rather than integral aspects of the narrative.
The sound design and background score, essential in building suspense and tension in a thriller, are forgettable. They neither heighten the fear factor nor add to the emotional depth of the film, further contributing to the overall lackluster experience.
Blind – Final Verdict: A Thriller Devoid of Thrills
The opportunity to remake a successful foreign film should be an exciting endeavor. However, the Hindi adaptation of “Blind” appears to be a misguided replication, lacking the soul and spirit of the original. Even the performances, particularly Kapoor’s committed portrayal of Gia, cannot salvage the poorly-executed, predictable thriller that is “Blind.”
In conclusion, “Blind” is a classic case of lost potential – a thrilling premise marred by sluggish writing and lackluster execution. It stands as a reminder that a compelling narrative is not just about the destination (the climax) but also about the journey (the buildup). Sadly, in “Blind,” both the journey and the destination fall flat, leaving the audience in the dark, searching for a thrill that never quite arrives.
My final rating: 2/5. Watch this movie on Jio Cinema.
