The Miranda Brothers (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – An orphan rescued from trash becomes devoted to his elder brother, both growing to be star footballers – till the suspicious death of their mother threatens to tear them apart.

My Take – A decade or two ago, a time when international films weren’t easy access as they are today, filmmaker Sanjay Gupta would mostly produce and direct (usually unauthorized) remakes and mix them up with Indian sensibilities, hoping to bask in box office glory. Unfortunately for him, till date, Kaante (2002) and Kaabil (2017) remain his two most memorable outings, including his latest, a Jio Cinema release.

A remake of the 2010 Venezuelan film “Hermano”, the film tries to blend sports, drama, and familial loyalty, to pay homage to a bygone era by presenting a sentimental brotherly love story. However, the end results never rise up from the formulaic.

On paper, a story about two brothers, united by love and not blood, in the backdrop of Goan football culture, whose worlds unexpectedly collide with crime, does seem interesting. Only if it had not adopted such a bland narrative where neither the sports backdrop nor the action, emotions, or performances work.

Lacking conviction and focus, the film squanders its promising premise by prioritized glamour over substance (a recurring problem in Sanjay Gupta ventures). Ultimately, leaving us with a lingering sense of missed potential and opportunities.

Set against Goa’s picturesque backdrop, the story follows the Miranda brothers, Julio (Harshvardhan Rane) and Regalo (Meezaan Jaferi), who are devoted to each other and share a dream of sporting glory, but their distinct personalities and values set them apart.

The impulsive and hot-headed nature Julio is entangled with a local drug gang led by Morocho (Rahul Dev), and always looking for a quick buck, whereas, Regalo, the adopted one, is more responsible, caring, and level-headed.

Despite their differences, they’re united by their love for football, and their activist and bakery owner mother, Susan Miranda (Manasi Joshi Roy). However, a sudden death fractures their bond, forcing the brothers to confront whether they can reconcile, revive their dreams, or face an uncertain future.

While the premise is decent enough, the hasty editing and a meandering plotline does a lot of disservice to the film. Writers Sameer Hafiz and Milap Zaveri try creating a compelling story of sibling affection, loss and how trauma affects individuals, but somehow that never translates to the screen. Mainly as for a large part of the film, Julio and Regalo just wander around singing and dancing.

Every few minutes, the narrative halts for musical interludes that add little to the plot. The masala flavor typical of commercial cinema feels out of place here, undercutting the film’s grit with unnecessary romance and dance sequences. One could argue the film is catering to its audience, but it panders more than it innovates.

Prioritizing the showcase of the actors’ brawn and Goa’s vibrant nightlife over substance. Even the romance between Regalo and Sol (Sahher Bambba), and Julio and Issabella (Jennifer Piccinato) feels shoehorned in. Only disrupts the genuine brotherly connection that should have driven the narrative, leaving the emotional core feeling diluted.

Most surprisingly, the scenes focused on the Mirandas’ family dynamics are yawn-inducing and repetitive. The same goes for the on-field action that lacks the excitement and authenticity of other better sports dramas. With a weak plot twist and a half-baked climax, the film also fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion.

Performances wise, both Harshvardhan Rane and Meezaan have proven themselves to be underrated actors, however, here the two struggle to get into their characters, mostly coming off as stiff and rehearsed. Their camaraderie, though occasionally heartwarming, is never fully etched out, failing to resonate due to the duress of a choppy script.

Manasi Joshi Roy, Sanjay Suri, Sahher Bammba and Jennifer Piccinato are decent in supporting roles, while Surya Sharma manages to be a standout. In a smaller role, Rahul Dev is wasted. On the whole, ‘The Miranda Brothers‘ is a formulaic sports crime drama that lacks the necessary vigor and spirit to work.