There’s something strangely fascinating about a movie that puts its whole story around a very ordinary thing, like a toaster. Backed by Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa, the titular Toaster tries to re-write that simple premise into a chaotic dark comedy featuring crime, confusion, and quirky characters. The concept is refreshingly new, but execution is a double-edged sword.
A Simple Object With Complex Disorder
The movie stars Rajkummar Rao, who plays Ramakant, a man who’s obsessed with thrift to his detriment. He lists every rupee spent, and requires returns even on gifts. His bizarre mindset is what propels the plot when he decides to retrieve a toaster he had given to the couple at a wedding after the couple announces their separation.
What starts out as a hilarious setup quickly descends into madness. The toaster somehow becomes involved in a murder case, putting Ramakant in a panic. In a last desperate effort, he leaves it in his landlady’s house only to have her soon die. That’s where chaos explodes. Many individuals are then chasing this toaster, their motives ambiguous, after which a series of weird and jumbled events ensues, and it’s no surprise.
Performances: Rajkummar Rao in Charge of Their Own Show
Rajkummar Rao continues to show why he is one of the best actors in the industry. It was his ability to play Ramakant, annoying, stubborn yet somehow compelling, that sustained the film. He is a true character, even in the most outlandish situations.
Sanya Malhotra performs well, though her turn feels underwritten. You’re just wishing she had more screen time and that deep understanding. Archana Puran Singh and Seema Pahwa bring their usual charm by way of quick appearances, as Abhishek Banerjee makes his presence stand out with his quirky presence.
Direction: Strong Concept, But Not The Best Execution
Director Vivek Daschaudary deserves thanks for the concept of an uncommon story. The idea of a boring object being a source of panic on paper strikes at a very simple idea. Yet somewhere in the film’s midst, the dark humour falls off the charts just enough to feel absolutely perfect. At its outset, though, the film is energetic and intriguing and fails at holding that momentum.
What Works
The strength of the film is that concept originality. Every time it slides into the absurdity of its dark comedy or the grotesque, Toaster is actually amusing. The uncertainty piques our interest, Rajkummar Rao’s action serves as a prop for the madness.
What Doesn’t
But maybe the film is uneven with a big problem in the middle. The middle bit stretches, some people are underappreciated and the humor just doesn’t quite resonate. The climax is in particular a bit shallow that really ought to pull everything together.
Final Verdict
Toaster possessed all the components of a standout dark comedy but missed the mark when it comes to fully playing to its unconventional premise. At times, it entertains; at other times, it drags, but it does hold attention.
These are the kinds of offbeat, person-driven stories that get a little absurd along the way. If you like this film: it's an excellent watch; certainly worth a watch (if only because of Rajkummar Rao’s engaging performance).
