“Flying High but Falling Short: A Review of Crew”

"Flying High but Falling Short: A Review of Crew"

Director: Rajesh Krishnan

Cast: Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kriti Sanon, Kapil Sharma, Diljit Dosanjh, Rajesh Sharma, Saswata Chatterjee

Duration: 123 minutes

Rating – 3

There are many reasons to cheer for Crew. It’s a film led by women characters of different ages, all of whom are shown as career-driven and not succumbing to usual clichés. With a runtime of two hours, the plot moves at a steady pace and there are plenty of satisfying moments. The star cast adds to the excitement, with Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon leading the way. The film promises to add glam to feminism and make it fun.

Crew attempts to salvage the wreck that has been the "womantic comedy" genre, which focuses on female friendships rather than regular romance. Despite bettering previous films in this genre, like Veere Di Wedding and Thank You For Coming, Crew struggles to both take off and stick the landing.

The film tells the story of three flight attendants, Geetu (Tabu), Jasmine (Kareena Kapoor Khan), and Divya (Kriti Sanon), who turn to smuggling due to unpaid salaries after the airline they work for goes bankrupt. Initially acquaintances, the death of their male superior turns them into a gang of friends when they discover his smuggling operations. The first half shows them living luxuriously, smuggling gold disguised as chocolates between India and Al Burj, a fictional Middle Eastern city. However, the writing and acting lack depth and authenticity, with the chemistry between the leads falling short.

Crew attempts to explore what on-screen women can do if given the space to behave like their male counterparts. However, it falls short, imposing male-centric patterns and humor on its female characters, making the fit awkward and unimaginative. The film also includes lazy one-liners and punchlines mired in tasteless classism, often disrespecting women who occupy lower social rungs.

Despite its efforts, Crew fails to deliver a truly authentic portrayal of female friendship. It struggles with its narrative, humor, and character development, ultimately missing the mark. While it may resonate with some audiences, it lacks the creativity and depth seen in other films and shows celebrating female friendships.

In conclusion, Crew is a reminder of the challenges of portraying authentic female friendships on screen. While it attempts to break stereotypes and celebrate female camaraderie, it falls short of delivering a compelling narrative and characters. It is a step in the right direction but fails to carve its own identity in the genre.