As an outsider, Priyanka Chopra Jonas knows exactly how to establish herself. Whether it's in front of Bollywood superstars or in the world of Los Angeles, where she married a much younger man and somehow also won over his female fanbase. In a story where she finds herself in a similar position, having carved out a place for herself in this invented society, PCJ must face the wrath of an old enemy and leader in an action thriller set in the 19th century. The Bluff tells the story of Ercell, a wife, mother, and sister-in-law, who lives a seemingly normal life until terrifying pirates decide to raid her paradise to steal something she possesses.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been one of my favorite actresses since I was little. The irony is that I hadn't seen much of her work back then; it was mostly in my teens, when I became almost obsessively enamored with the actress, who had a captivating presence and great self-confidence. She still retains that charm, which has allowed her to remain relevant despite the countless obstacles she has faced over the years.
Director: Frank E. Flowers
Writers: Joe Ballarini, Frank E. Flowers
Stars: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Karl Urban, Safia Oakley-Green
Honestly, Bollywood misses her, but for some reason, Hollywood doesn't recognize her stardom, never fully utilizing her talent. The Bluff, on paper, seems like just the kind of film PCJ would enjoy from the start, and frankly, it does more than you'd expect. But, unfortunately, this is a film with no substance and nothing real.
The film opens with a beautiful shot of Chopra-Jonas in a dupatta-style drape over her seemingly Western clothing: a long, gathered skirt with a blouse shorter than what we in her country would call a blouse. The drape represents her heritage, but it seems to be the only detail given to the character, who then becomes a bland shadow of an action heroine. Yes, we know she's a mother and that she'll do anything to keep her son alive, but give us something more! Her co-stars try, unsuccessfully, to make a real impact on the audience; This is, as usual, a one-woman show. Safia Oakley-Green certainly stands out, probably as the only other woman in the film. It's literally just the two of them in a sea of bland men, including Karl Urban.
As someone who hasn't seen a single episode of The Boys, I don't know what to say about the actor, but in this particular film, he fails to make a lasting impression. The film is incredibly captivating at first, establishing a premise that clearly shows there will be a confrontation between Ercell and the man who invades her paradise, but almost as soon as he lands on the island, you lose interest because there's nothing but brutal action to witness before ending with a mediocre final act, which is also pure action. The action scenes and choreography are certainly entertaining; my favorite is undoubtedly the sequence in which Ercell, a guerrilla fighter, hides from her enemies and eliminates one person at a time, slowly and silently, to reach her husband. Ismael Cruz Córdova has too small a role to really comment on, but there's no doubt the two actors have great chemistry and could have done so much more with more screen time together.
Visually, The Bluff has such a typical Prime Video look with the Russo brothers; it's almost impossible to see it as something that actually feels historical. It feels so obviously like a film set that you imagine everyone will wake up in a little while and return to the present. This is especially true of the final action sequence between the two leads, which the film relies on to grab attention and generate excitement. It's backlit with that typical yellow, almost sepia tone, which fails to elicit any real reaction from the audience. Priyanka may be fully committed to the action sequences, unleashing her inner Amazon, but the set design and lighting pull you out of the scene. Furthermore, I'm not entirely convinced by the final result, but that would be venturing into spoiler territory.
The truth is, there was potential, and Flowers knows it, but the result is less expressive and more monochromatic than one might imagine. Undoubtedly, there's a hidden message and a hint of sadness, but it arrives too late and lacks the expected impact, leaving us as viewers bored. However, if you enjoy John Wick-style action films with historical references, you'll thoroughly enjoy this movie. Ultimately, it's a similar revenge story, and Bloody Mary solidifies her status as an iconic anti-villain, perfect for a Halloween reenactment.
Ultimately, The Bluff is missing something, and as much as I want to praise it for what it does well, the overall impression is weak, so I won't recommend it. The action sequences are certainly entertaining until they become too long and a bit tedious. The film aspires to be innovative, and while that's noticeable, it doesn't quite hit the mark, so I'll give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. This is mainly due to Priyanka Chopra Jonas and my personal preference for her. The final revelation gets lost in the otherwise action-packed conclusion and isn't as significant as it should be, which is a shame.
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