Alia Bhatt’s Hollywood Debut in Heart of Stone Underwhelms with Perfunctory Role
Alia Bhatt, one of India’s most promising actors, has recently made her Hollywood debut in the film Heart of Stone, directed by Tom Harper. However, her role in the film has been met with disappointment and indignity. Bhatt portrays the character of Keya Dhawan, a 22-year-old whizkid hacker, but her role is limited to delivering snappy one-liners and flashing her smile. The film itself lacks originality and fails to give Bhatt’s talent the recognition it deserves.
Heart of Stone revolves around a secret spy organization called the Charter, which operates covertly to intervene in international incidents. Their operations are guided by a supercomputer known as the Heart, capable of hacking into any system across the globe. The plot bears striking resemblances to other films like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and Minority Report, diminishing its originality and impact.
Playing the role of Rachel Stone, a devoted member of the Charter, Gal Gadot also fails to leave a lasting impression. Despite her prowess as an action star, Gadot’s credibility as a well-rounded actor is called into question after her previous projects. In Heart of Stone, she performs daring stunts and occasionally reflects on her past, but her character lacks depth and fails to captivate.
The film suffers from a lack of originality, borrowing tropes from other spy and action films. The reliance on a machine to dictate missions, without the spies exercising their own discretion, is a concept that has been explored in several previous works. Moreover, the plotline of a former spy seeking revenge on his agency has been overdone, as seen in films like Skyfall. These recycled ideas contribute to the film’s lack of individuality.
Despite the potential for entertainment in a superficial plot like this, Heart of Stone falls short in numerous aspects. The action set-pieces lack imagination, the choreography prioritizes loudness over scale, and the one-liners resemble those from Marvel superhero films. Ultimately, the film feels like a rehash of tired action film tropes from the past decade.
Even the futuristic aspect of the film, involving artificial intelligence, feels dated. The hacking scenes resemble those from action films of the 1990s, relying on contrivances and clichés. Solid actors like Sophie Okonedo and Jamie Dornan are wasted in their supporting roles, forced to rally around Gadot without much substance of their own.
It is disappointing to witness Bhatt’s talents go unutilized by a billion-dollar corporation that initially recognized her potential. Heart of Stone does a disservice to Bhatt’s capabilities as an actor, highlighting the lack of understanding and appreciation for her talent. The film’s shortcomings leave audiences yearning for something fresh and innovative.
In conclusion, Alia Bhatt’s Hollywood debut in Heart of Stone disappoints with its perfunctory role and unoriginal plot. The film fails to do justice to Bhatt’s talent and lacks the creative spark needed to stand out in the action genre. It is a missed opportunity for both Bhatt and the film’s audience, who were hoping for an exciting new addition to the Hollywood landscape.
