Irrfan Khan as Harry ‘The Provost’ Sims is a scene stealer.
The third film in Ron Howard’s Professor Robert Langdon franchise is here. Inferno – the film, like its predecessor focuses on the mysteries that lead to the end of the mankind and one man that stands in the way is Tom Hank’s Professor Robert Langdon. Directed by Ron Howard, the film stars Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Irrfan Khan, Omar Sy, Ben Foster and Sidse Babett Knudsen.
What’s it about
The film tells the story of a certain billionaire philanthropist Bertrand Zobrist (Ben Foster), who creates a virus called Inferno to unleash it on the mankind, he believes, to save them. The film starts off with Robert Langdon in an unconscious state on a hospital bed having horrifying visions of a suffering world, basically, HELL. When he wakes up he is told by the doctor (Felicity Jones) about his amnesic condition due to bullet shot wound to his head. There is a cop who is on his trail to kill him on behest of The Provost (Irrfan Khan), two WHO agents (Omar Sly and Sidse Babett Knudsen) with different motives and has to deal with amnesic condition which is acting as a roadblock. In between all of this, Professor Langdon has to race against time to stop the virus release, with Dr. Sienna by his side, and save the mankind. What is the motive of The Provost? What do the two agents want from the Professor? Will he be able to recover his memory in time? The answers to all these questions forms the rest of the story.
Let’s find out if the film is worth the hype of its predecessor The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons…
What’s hot
Tom Hanks has played this character in the previous two films and he knows it in and out. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say it’s in his blood. He perfectly showcases the vulnerability of his character on not remembering anything and the urge to solve the mystery in order to save the mankind. Felicity Jones as his doctor and later an ally, supports him ably and even get to solve the mystery when he is unable to. This one’s a strong female character, unlike the previous two films. Irrfan Khan as Harry ‘The Provost’ Sims is a scene stealer. He is the only one with a mystery around him. His mysterious character in fact has the best lines and the way he portrays it with a subtle humour, is something only he could do. In a recent interview, he told me how director Ron Howard offered him a different role, but on Irrfan’s behest, signed him for The Provost. I could totally see why Irrfan was attracted towards this mysterious character. Watch out for the scene when his character for the first time comes face to face with that of Tom Hanks and you’ll know what I am talking about. And Irrfan was not wrong when he called Inferno HIS film.
What’s not
The mystery of the film was not as strong as in the previous two flicks, especially The Da Vinci Code. The film also seems dragging towards the pre climax with unnecessary dialogues and scenes. The makers could have done away with the shaky camera to portray Tom Hanks’ character’s vulnerability as after a point it gets messy. And like Tom Hanks mentioned how he wanted to have more scenes with Irrfan Khan on screen and I feel the same as they were magical together. The only edge of the seat moment was its climax.
Our verdict
Watch it for Irrfan Khan andTom Hanks and to witness the two of the best actors in the world in a single frame. For those going to watch Irrfan Khan in a big Hollywood film, trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Watch it if you are a fan of the previous two films. Overall it’s an intriguing ride with top performances by the three leads.
Rating: 3.0 out of 53.0 Star Rating
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