45 review: A frustrating and overcooked fantasy
45 review by Kausalya Rachavelpula
45 promises to be a thoughtful fantasy drama rooted in cosmic concepts and mythological ideas, but sadly it never rises above its own bloated ambition. What could have been an intriguing exploration of philosophical themes devolves into an exhausting slog through familiar tropes, distracting spectacle and uninspired execution. In short, this is a film that left me wishing I’d spent my time elsewhere.
At the heart of the film is an attempt to meld philosophical storytelling with commercial blockbuster trappings. Instead of feeling refreshing or original, the narrative comes across as a rehash of ideas that have been seen many times before, both in Indian cinema and beyond. The incorporation of religious motifs feels less like a meaningful exploration and more like a trend-chasing exercise, tapping into what’s currently popular rather than what serves the story best. This lack of authenticity makes it hard to connect emotionally with what unfolds on screen.
One of the most glaring problems is the screenplay’s structure. The film takes an age to find its footing, with uneven pacing that lurches from one set piece to another without ever building real momentum. Key scenes are bloated, repetitive or simply baffling, leaving the viewer uncertain about the stakes or emotional weight of what is happening. The philosophical threads the film tries to weave together are frequently buried beneath convoluted sequences that feel more obligatory than organic. It’s as though the narrative can’t decide whether it wants to be a thoughtful drama or a mass entertainer, and so it ends up doing neither convincingly.
Visually, 45 swings for spectacle but often whiffs. The heavy reliance on visual effects is disappointing: many sequences come off as artificial and poorly integrated, undermining rather than enhancing the drama. While the ambition to create a visually rich world is commendable, the result feels tacky and unfinished in places, with effects that resemble early-generation computer graphics rather than the cutting edge. This is especially frustrating given how much of the film’s runtime is devoted to these elements.
Performances from the main cast are uneven. The lead actors put in effort and, at times, deliver moments that hint at what the film could have been, but they are let down by shallow characterisation and weak material. Instead of drawing us deeper into their journeys, many of the interactions feel hollow or repetitive. The supporting cast fares no better, with several characters feeling superfluous, their presence neither adding to the story nor offering any memorable contribution.
Perhaps the most tedious aspect is how the film constantly interrupts any budding emotional tension with unnecessary and poorly executed sequences. Comedic beats fall flat more often than not, and action moments, which should provide relief or excitement, are dragged out to the point of irritation. The dialogue, too, does little to elevate these scenes; it is often generic and forgettable, and at times verges on the preachy without offering genuine insight.
There are brief flashes of potential in 45. A well-executed climax or a thoughtfully crafted scene here and there suggest that with a stronger script and clearer directorial vision, this could have been something worth discussing. But these moments are too few and far between to justify the film’s length or the narrative detours it takes to reach them.
45 review: On balance, 45 feels like a missed opportunity. It aspires to be profound and visually striking, yet the end product feels muddled, overlong and disjointed. The reliance on trend-driven content and spectacle cannot disguise a lack of narrative discipline, and by the time the credits roll, you’re likely to feel more exhausted than enlightened. For those seeking a tight, engaging cinematic experience, there are far better choices out there than this undercooked fantasy.
