Dispatch review: Manoj Bajpayee shines, but script fails to make a mark
Dispatch, starring Manoj Bajpayee, promises intrigue but falters in execution. Despite the stellar lead acting, the film struggles with a weak screenplay and disjointed story.
cast Crew
Manoj Bajpayee
What happens when an experienced actor like Manoj Bajpayee is entrusted with a film with a poor script? You get Dispatches, a film that promises intrigue but fails to offer a compelling story. Despite Bajpayee’s stellar performance, the film proves to be quite tedious to watch.
Dispatches revolves around a journalist Joy Bag, played by Bajpayee, and explores her personal and professional life. Joey’s story unfolds as a chaotic mix of reckless decisions, strained relationships, and questionable journalistic ethics. From the beginning, the film aims to immerse the audience in Joey’s perspective, but this choice limits the narrative rather than broadening its appeal.
As expected, Bajpayee is extraordinary. His portrayal of Joy Bag carries the emotional weight of a man torn between ambition and personal relationships. The complexity of the character – his moral ambiguity, his constant pursuit of stories, and his personal flaws – come alive through Bajpayee’s nuanced performance. However, even his talent can’t compensate for the film’s weak foundation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHPMCoqa3H4
The supporting cast adds some value. Sahana Goswami as Shweta (Joy’s wife), Archita Aggarwal as Prerna (his girlfriend), and Ri Sen as Noori (a fellow journalist) contribute to the story, but their characters feel weak. Her chemistry with Bajpayee provides fleeting moments of engagement, yet these are not enough to save the overall impact.
Where Dispatch really falters is in its script. The narrative is full of loose ends, and the screenplay lacks the tight structure necessary for an entertaining drama. Unlike Hansal Mehta’s Scoop, which offered an insightful and layered portrayal of journalism, Dispatch struggles to present a coherent vision. The storytelling feels disjointed, often leaving the audience confused about the characters’ motivations and the risks involved in Joey’s decisions.
The film’s attempt to highlight the ethical dilemmas and personal sacrifices of journalism is marred by its clumsy execution. Joey’s reckless behavior, although central to his character, lacks the depth necessary to make it relevant or even interesting. The result is that, despite Bajpayee’s best efforts, a hero has emerged who is difficult to root for.
Dispatches tries to explore some interesting themes, such as the impact of personal choice on professional integrity and the varying nature of ambition. By the end of the film, Joey finds himself alone – a result of his decisions.
His wife, Shweta, is willing to work through their issues and build a family, but Joey prefers his girlfriend, Prerna, who has no intention of committing to him. This dynamic could have been a compelling exploration of flawed relationships, but instead it feels like a missed opportunity due to weak writing.
Additionally, the storyline in which Joey is betrayed by someone she trusted has potential but is executed in a way that feels abrupt and unsatisfying. The moral of the story – how ambition and wrong choices can lead to one’s downfall – is let down by the film’s inability to present it effectively.
Dispatch is a film that had all the ingredients for success – a talented lead actor, a promising premise and a potentially thought-provoking story. Unfortunately, it falls short due to a poor script and lack of focus in its storytelling.
While Manoj Bajpayee’s performance is undoubtedly the highlight, it can’t compensate for the film’s many shortcomings.
For viewers with a keen eye for journalism or entertaining drama, Dispatches is unlikely to live up to expectations. Instead, it serves as a reminder that even the best actors can’t save a film that lacks a solid foundation.
