Dev Patel (solid, as always) and Armie Hammer star as a waiter and VIP guest at the Taj, respectively, though this is hardly their film. Instead, it’s a true ensemble piece, with a standout performance from Bollywood legend Anupam Kher, who registers strongest as the hotel’s Chef and de facto leader of the hostages. You may remember Kher from acclaimed films like Silver Linings Playbook and The Big Sick. Here, the 63-year-old actor gets a showy role, and thankfully he has the gravitas to pull it off. Patel and Hammer may be the name-brand stars here, but neither role is written like a star part, and as a result, you end up more riveted by the terrorists (led by Amandeep Singh), all of whom remain calm and collected as they pull their triggers with senseless indifference. Had the entire film had been from their point of view, or that of the hostages, it might have been an interesting choice, but in trying to tell everyone’s story, Maras and co-writer John Collee (Master and Commander) end up telling no one’s story in depth. Which is why the film, as thrilling as it is, never quite penetrates deep enough, though I appreciate that it allows the audience to choose who to identify with.