CAST: Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Vedang Raina, Dot., Santana Roach, Rudra Mahuvarkar,Mihir Ahuja, Yuvraj Menda
DIRECTOR: Zoya Akhtar
In the spirited adaptation of “The Archies” on Netflix, director Zoya Akhtar brilliantly transposes the iconic American Archie Comics gang to 1960s India, creating a vibrant Bollywood comedy that stays true to the original’s essence while infusing it with a new, lively spirit. The film’s soundtrack, a delightful array of catchy tunes by Ankur Tiwari, The Islanders, Aditi Saigal, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and Javed Akhtar, perfectly complements the witty and emotionally resonant script by Akhtar, Reema Kagti, and Ayesha Devitre Dhillon.
This offers a shining platform for the young and diverse cast, including both fresh faces and those born into the industry.
However, the film does stumble slightly with the Archie Comics’ longstanding love triangle between Archie, Betty, and Veronica. This trope, while essential to the comics, feels overextended in the movie, overshadowing other dynamic elements. Despite this, the film smartly allows Betty and Veronica to have their significant moments beyond the love triangle, emphasizing their independence.
A noteworthy aspect is the subtle handling of Jughead’s character. Reflecting the more recent comic iterations, the film hints at Jughead’s asexuality without explicitly stating it, offering a nuanced portrayal. Meanwhile, Dilton and Reggie receive well-crafted story arcs, and although Moose and Midge’s appearances are brief, their relationship provides a stark, more grounded contrast to Archie’s indecisiveness.
At the core of “The Archies” is the genuine, evolving friendship among the Riverdale group. The story captures the dynamic nature of real friendships, which evolve with the characters’ life changes. This sense of friendship and belonging contrasts sharply with “Riverdale,” the CW’s TV adaptation of the comics. While both adaptations reimagine the source material, “The Archies” opts for a more realistic approach, diverging significantly from the heightened drama of the TV show.
Set in 1964, with characters born in the year of India’s independence, the film thoughtfully incorporates this historical backdrop. It subtly explores the concept of home and belonging in a newly independent nation, avoiding heavy historical commentary but rather celebrating the spirit of the place and time.
“The Archies” stands out as a refreshing take on familiar characters, transporting them to a different era and culture while retaining the core themes of the comics.
The energetic cast, with their spot-on comic timing, brings these beloved characters to life against the backdrop of a changing world. The film’s length, typical of Bollywood productions, shouldn’t deter viewers.
“The Archies” is a joyous, hope-filled journey that leaves a lasting impression of fun and mirth.
Streams on Netflix
