Bougainvillea

The movie was clearly inspired by *Before I Go to Sleep*, which was itself an average thriller. Unfortunately, this remake doesn't improve upon the original and is riddled with plot holes that make the story less believable. While the acting is commendable, with the cast delivering strong performances, the screenplay lacks depth and coherence. The music and cinematography are well-executed, creating a tense atmosphere, but they are not enough to save the weak narrative. The pacing feels uneven, and the lack of logical consistency prevents the film from being truly gripping. Overall, a style over substance movie.

The film Bougainvillea, directed by Amal Neerad, can be classified as a cinematic work belonging to the crime thriller action drama genres.

The narrative is focused on the family of Reethu and Dr. Royce, with Reethu, a character afflicted with retrograde amnesia, experiencing frequent memory loss. She also encounters hallucinations and other psychological disturbances. Her husband is depicted as providing her with excellent care, and she has a domestic servant named Rema who assists her. Reethu creates a world of her own through her possessions and engages in painting Bougainvillea flowers regularly. She also had two children, who appeared in her hallucinations. The film then transitions to a police officer named David Koshy, who arrives to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. During the time of disappearance, Reethu was present there, and the police questioned her on several occasions. She exhibited some unclear memories regarding the girl, but she was uncertain. The police suspected that Reethu might have connections with the disappearance. Royce's persistent efforts to extricate her from this predicament are noteworthy. As the film reaches its culmination, a significant twist emerges: Royce is revealed to be the perpetrator of the girl's abduction and subsequent murder. This revelation is further compounded by the fact that Royce had previously kidnapped several other girls. He manipulates Reethu's forgetfulness as a strategic advantage, creating a facade of reality that obscures her true surroundings. As Reethu's memory gradually returns, she comes to understand the full extent of Royce's transgressions. In the culminating act, a confrontation ensues between Reethu, Rema and a criminologist, ultimately leading to the vanquishing of Royce.

The narrative was of mediocre quality, exhibiting significant pacing issues, which rendered it challenging to establish a connection with the preceding narrative. In the culminating scenes, a women's empowerment programme appeared to be manipulated, seemingly unnecessarily. The performances were commendable, though not universally so. The inclusion of Fahad Fazil and Sharfuddin in their respective roles appeared superfluous, as their absence would not have significantly impacted the narrative. The direction was consistent with Amal Neerad's typical style, and the musical scores were noteworthy. In conclusion, this film stands as a notable example of Amal Neerad's directorial style, though it is perhaps his least successful work. It is recommended for one time watching, albeit with the caveat that it is not his most essential cinematic work.

A pulpy mystery thriller with the typical Amal Neerad visual flair, nothing more, nothing less. Excluding the finer details, most of it was predictable but still engaging enough. The cast did well but didn't feel anyone did anything extraordinary. Can't believe Fahadh is doing such an insignificant cop role. The climax could've been choreographed better for more impact. The three-against-one scene could've been utilized better. With Amal Neerad's style, the film's problem is that it's neither grounded nor really stylish enough. A lot of the twists and turns ended up very flat. The flashback portions didn't feel really convincing. I expected a bit more than that, so I ended up feeling underwhelming. Still, the whole thing is stylish and atmospheric enough to be an okay watch.

I normally enjoy watching Amal Neerad's movies, even his Varathan, which despite being a copy of Straw Dogs, was eminently watchable. So I sat down to watch Bougainvillea with great expectations, but it turned out to be a massive letdown!

Amal is famous for his stylised movies, and thats what catches your eye in the beginning... and then as time passes, you realise that this movie is all style and no content!

Despite being a movie with 2.5 hours of run-time, Amal spends a lot of time laying the foundation of a mystery, introducing the characters, so much so that the movie drags on and on before he seems to realise that the time is almost up and he needs to wind up.

Amal and Fahad's ACP don't do any proper investigations, there are no clues to be found, no suspicious characters lurking about, no background check about anyone, no nothing.

Deeply saddened to see Fahad being wasted in an extended cameo playing the role of an ACP investigating the crime. Since Fahad is here, his role could have been built into a full-fledged meaty role - of an ACP who finally cracks the mystery. But Amal fails here too. Fahad's ACP does not detect anything... Amal's story and screenplay fails in this regard too.

Then who solves the actual mystery? Well, nobody! And maybe thats why the villain decides to come out and disclose the mystery himself - he must have got tired waiting for the police to catch him?

Amal too probably realised that the mystery has to be resolved, and we all need to go home, right? And he winds up in an almighty hurry!

Similar was the case with Sharfuddeen, another talent wasted as a taxi driver (!), with practically no dialogues to speak!

My rating is 4 stars out of 10. A movie with great expectations that tanked!

Bougainvillea is a beautifully crafted film that captures the subtleties of human emotions with finesse. The story revolves around complex relationships, personal growth, and the challenges people face in their everyday lives. Each character is thoughtfully portrayed, making it easy for viewers to empathize with their struggles and triumphs.

The cinematography is one of the film's strongest aspects, with vibrant visuals and carefully framed scenes that enhance the storytelling. The soundtrack complements the narrative, adding depth and emotion without being intrusive. The pacing is smooth, allowing the story to unfold naturally while keeping the audience engaged from start to finish.

While the film occasionally leans on familiar tropes, it delivers them with sincerity and nuance, which sets it apart from many typical dramas. The performances are consistent and compelling, bringing authenticity to the narrative.

Overall, Bougainvillea is a memorable cinematic experience that blends visual beauty with emotional storytelling. It is a film that resonates with viewers who appreciate character-driven narratives and thoughtful drama. With a rating of 7, it stands out as a solid and enjoyable watch.