The Night Manager Part 2 Review: Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur try to salvage lousy series

At first glance, decision to release Night Manager in two parts would come across as an unwelcome one. However, new episodes seem to justify strategy. re is a stark distinction in how characters develop over two halves and with narrative unfolding at a slow, almost choking pace, it's easier to see story over a break of a few weeks. Night Manager Part 2 constantly builds towards its climax but offers only a handful of moments that make for a thrilling watch. In totality, 7-episode series is average at best, and too stretched to watch in one go.

3 things you need to know

• Night Manager 2's  cleverly written and executed dialogues are a highlight.
• itya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor's face off has an unsatisfying end.
• Sobhita Dhulipala has a meatier part in new episodes and pulls it off well.

Hot Take

Night Manager utilises most common tropes of espionage, thriller and drama and gives into genres without attempting to do more. An interesting aspect is villain and hero's parts don't play out separately and black and white sides, if you choose to call m so, blend toger, almost creating a grey and murky ground for characters to interact within. While this is innovative, slow pace les to a lack of anticipation. performances, however, become saving grace and keep viewers engaged.

Does Night Manager Part 2 live up to hype?

Anil Kapoor and itya Roy Kapur are pitted against each or but it's not a face-off of conventional kind. Shaan (itya) wants to bring down Shelly's (Anil) empire while pretending to work for him. But it's crystal clear throughout which side he is on. This becomes weakest link in show. makers don't convince us for a moment that Shaan could switch his loyalties.

While itya seems to have a sense of performing in silences, his eyes give away a lot more than y should. Thus, 'which side is he on' angle goes for a toss. He delivers a restrained performance but ends up playing second fiddle to Anil Kapoor, who gets best dialogues, more screen space and a leaner and meaner character arc.

Anil Kapoor is no Tony Stark

One of Iron Man rip off scenes is worth noticing. It is also time when desperation to posit Shelly as Tony Stark is too in--face. As an international arms dealer, Shelly inherently has a ruthless side to him. In Part 1 it was suppressed. With stakes rising and his business on verge of collapse, we do relate to change in character, but easy going side of Shelly was too prominent in first half to convince us of his 180 turn.

( Night Manager poster | Image: Instagram/itya Roy Kapur)

Shelly's chemistry with Kaveri (Sobhita Dhulipala) also seems off, and some of scenes where he tries to assert physical dominance over her will make you despise him. Anil  Kapoor has been able to channel, for most part, various shes of Shelly. He carries layered character well, but his delivery is one-tone and stone-cold gaze gets repeated way too many times.

Sobhita Dhulipala and Tillotama Shome get ir due

Kaveri (Sobhita), who is unknowingly trapped in Shelly's world, seeks refuge in Shaan's company. actress has convincingly pulled off role. She channels well vulnerability of a woman who can't escape clutches of mafia world. It preys on her, strips her bare and also gives her courage to break free. Sobhita gets her due, mostly in second part, as she lets go of her seductress persona and becomes more assertive. Her parts with Shaan and Shelly challenge her to tap into her different sides, and she manages to pull it off.

Tillotama (Lipika) operates in periphery but has a few solid scenes where she puts up her best show. action sequence, where a pregnant Lipika fights for her life, is a highlight.

Clever dialogue play

Sandeep Modi and Priyanka Ghose's visual language has nothing new to offer. background score is matic and plays in and out as per mood. However, dialogues d heft to scenes and are one of biggest positives of show. Night Manager sticks to refined, urban Hindi and has some cleverly written and executed dialogues. Anil Kapoor gets major chunk of it and manages to become a despicably patronising mentor to itya, onscreen. This fuels ir chemistry and gives an edge to storytelling.

Stream it or Skip it?

Night Manager has one-hour-long episodes, and narrative unfolds at its own sweet pace. One feels almost exhausted by time climax arrives and that too is mired by predictability. It is skippable considering its unsatisfying and delayed ending.

Bottomline

Anil Kapoor and Sobhita Dhulipala's raid-worthy wardrobe in Night Manager merits a mention. y may find a place in list of stylish OTT characters. show, however, is unlikely to get mentioned in list of best re is, especially with 'remake' tag on it.

(Rating: 2/5)