Goyenda Junior review: Enjoyable for those not well versed in detective stories

Mainak Bhaumik’s Goyenda Junior boasts of two striking performances of the real-life father-son duo, Santilal Mukherjee and Rwitobroto Mukherjee. Vikram (Rwitobroto), an orphaned child with extraordinary observation powers and intuitive capabilities, dominates the investigation of a crime scene in the film and shines in his avatar.

On the other hand, a senior official of the crime branch, Sanjay (Santilal), merely follows the trajectory of Vikram’s thought process, which appears a bit naïve, but at the same time, marks his onscreen presence as a true guardian in solving certain issues that prevent the teenager to get over some issues from his past.

Goyenda Junior can certainly inspire young minds to build up an investigative mind as it presents Vikram's abilities quite convincingly. He is a voracious reader, with an impeccable application power. He builds up inferences on readings and comparisons.

His issues in personal life are also relatable. Kids who lose their parents at a formative age find it difficult to let go of certain associations and they need somebody equally influential and inspiring to get over those hang ups.

Sanjay, who decides to apply Vikram's fresh perspectives in investigating the suspicious death of a renowned sweet dealer of the city, plays that role of a guiding light in Vikram's life, often providing his mature opinions to him as a friend. While solving the case, Sanjay turn to Vikram as a confidante that helps Vikram come out of his shell, which he normally can't do with his uncle and aunt, who are busy playing a authoritative role in his life.

The crime could have been staged more dramatically. Sanjay and Vikram both go to victim's house for investigation. Instead of speaking to any of the family members elaborately, both of them rather choose to observe their characters from distance, which is quite absurd. Their list of suspects is purely based on their assumptions on certain clues, they hardly ever confront any of them properly.

In every detective story, there comes a moment when the sleuth gets stuck or puzzled. It is much more thrilling when the criminal goes on challenging the sleuth. However, here the course of the investigation seems to lack a connecting pace that keeps the audience tuned to the crime, no matter when Vikram and Sanjay digress into personal issues.

Though Sanjay often gets threats during the investigation and also faces harrasment from strangers for employing a mere boy, the sequences of complexities fail to generate suspense because they are instantly simplified by Vikram. Actually, all the complexities of the crime seem to take place and get solved in Vikram's head without involving the audience to participate.

Last, but not the least, Sanjay appears as an assistant of Vikram in the entire investigation. He needed someone to offer him a fresh perspective in the crime, but in front of Vikram's calibre, he becomes a beginner, despite being a senior official of the crime branch. Vikram seems to notice all the clues and nuances of the case, while Sanjay gets amused repeatedly.

The angle of Vikram having a crush on Sanjay's daughter Tuki (Anusha Viswanathan) and its entire equation with Sanjay is rather sweet.

Rwitobroto Mukherjee is quite convincing as an introverted teenager with a razor sharp mind. That he has certain unresolved emotions within him, is quite evident from his demeanor. He carries his character ably with a natural act. Santilal Mukherjee looks good as a suave detective and is extremely seamless in his act as a responsible guardian.

Anusha Viswanathan appears in a brief role, but does justice to all her attributes. Prantik Banerjee's character also has various shades. He is more convincing in his countenance during the climax rather than in the rest of the film, where his character seems rather suspicious from his superficial act.

Bhaumik has written the parts of conversation better than the rest of the part of the film. Savvy Gupta's background score is one of the crucial aspects of the film, along with Gairik Sarkar's appealing cinematography, that raises suspense at certain moments. Amir Mondal's edgy editing saves the film from boredom at certain points.

Goyenda Junior will be thoroughly enjoyed by those who are not well versed in detective stories. The film is a one-time watch for its genuine performances and honest efforts.