I love when movies evoke a wide range of emotions. I love when movies have the power to ground me in reality, to make me feel deeply and personally connected to the story. When I find myself sitting in silence afterwards, contemplating the film's impact and wanting to share that experience with others, I know I've witnessed something truly special. This particular movie is a prime example of what makes Malayalam cinema so remarkable.
This film masterfully portrayed Sivankutty's deception through subtle cues, like his averted gaze whenever he spoke of his family. This was evident from the very beginning, even when he gave the false name "Jose." At other times, when the weight of his loss wasn't present, he acted normally. It's impossible to blame him for his emotional breakdown and subsequent violence. His anger was directed at everything normal and happy, but he never intended to harm anyone. It was the overwhelming pain of loss that drove his actions.
Except for A. P. C. Lalitha, the other characters were below average. Alexander and Unnikuttan were poorly dubbed, and their roles were not central to the story. Unnikuttan's fear and guilt were not convincingly portrayed, and it was only his dialogue that indicated his emotions.
A. P. C. Lalitha, who played Sivankutty's mother, conveyed a lot through her silence. Her character's strength might have been built by her experiences in the movie industry.
While the film's production quality may have been lacking, and it wasn't perfect in every way, it still managed to capture my heart. The few movies that have ever brought tears to my eyes hold a special place in my life, as they require a deep emotional connection to the characters. This film successfully achieved that, and I will cherish it as one of those special movies. I would definitely recommend it to others, but I would also warn them about its various shortcomings.
