Is 'style' over powering 'substance'?

Off-late the two Hindi movies that I watched; both made me ponder over 'style & substance'. Few weeks ago, 'Monica O My Darling' was a 'stylish' attempt to represent 'neo-noir'. It did work largely due to the decorated presentation and the 'substance' - the story had enough plot twists- some organic - a few quite convenient ones still to keep one hooked. 

Take for instance the death reveal of the titular character Monica. It was a convenient plot twist. As viewers, we are smart to identify that the killer could be one of the many characters introduced earlier. What saves the film is the comedy treatment of situations that could have otherwise been a one note scene. Of course the racy late 70's & 80's 'style' music and fantastic lyrics heightened the 'suspense' element. 

This week, I got to watch 'Freddy'. Another film lost to 'style' over substance. The trailer has already revealed to us that Dr. Freddy Ginnwala is a psycho killer. I began watching 'Freddy' expecting that the film would offer some serious rationale behind the motive, something more than what meets the eye. 

Alas, this isn't Drishyam or Drishyam 2 - a perfect crime drama and a strong emotional reason for the protagonist's motive who gets accidentally embroiled in the killing of an unwanted guest.

Freddy lingers largely between a 'revenge' drama and 'neo-noir' theme - where you are to decide if the protagonist's moves are morally correct. Sadly, the backstory for such a knee-jerk killing and eventual planned revenge by Freddy, a reputed Doctor today, is not entirely convincing. C'mon - murder witnesses donot become murderers!

It has been pretty convenient and cliched for Hindi films to add 'Love' (or the lack of it) as the prime reason for plot twists. We saw this with 'Brahmastra' too where the makers shove down our throats the reason why Shiva could over power the ultimate weapon 'Brahmastra'.

The world has perennially been debating whether 'Art imitates Life' or 'Life imitates Art'. Given the chicken and egg situation and the recent spine chilling Delhi murder, where 'ditching love to pieces' rocked our nation, it is disturbing to see love taking ugly turns.

You cannot be telling the audience to root for a sharp, self-assured, perpetrator that suddenly emerged from a nerdy, under confident, insecure character like Freddy and remains unscathed till the end!

Unless of course you want the audience to cheer for the acting prowess and striking presence of Karthik Aryan and immerse them in your 'stylised' decorative cinema over loosely stitched script that puts the blame on a failed love story, bad child-hood trauma as the cause and effect. 

Freddy is available on Disney + Hotstar for you to Judge.