Level Cross

The film takes us to a desert where time and place become unrecognizable.

A railway track passes through the desert. Although there's no road crossing it, there is a level crossing.

In this desolation, a gateman and his donkey exist... and as each scene unfolds slowly, we are drawn into the story environment of 'Level Cross'.

Beautiful frames... Appu Prabhakar's cinematography allows us to enjoy three-quarters of 'Level Cross'.

The long shots, the slow pace of storytelling, the lack of dialogue, and the absence of many characters make the first half-hour a bit dull, but the film picks up as the train starts moving.

The film becomes engaging through predictable yet flawless interval blocks.

The director manages to confuse the audience by narrating the story of the three characters from different points of view.

Even though the film stands out for its technical excellence and unique narrative style, 'Level Cross' is not for everyone.

If you look closely at Asif Ali's performance as the gateman Raghu, you'll find shades of Mammootty's Putturumis and Mada. However, it's no small feat that Asif Ali managed to carry off the role so effectively.

Although Sharafuddin and Amala Paul handle their roles well, they are not given as challenging roles as Asif Ali's.

Vishal Chandrasekhar's background score blends magnificently with the film's mood. There are minor flaws in the set design, especially in the house near the level crossing, but they don't take away from the overall experience.

The twists in the second half enhance the enjoyment of the level crossing scenes.

In the end, I was convinced that the ghost story-the one about a spirit walking with its head turned around-was not just a subplot but an integral part of the narrative. The director doesn't hesitate to let the audience guess who the ghost really is.

Leaving aside the slow-paced storytelling and the overly dramatic dialogues, Arfaaz Ayub's 'Level Cross' is an experimental film with technical brilliance that deserves appreciation.

*Levelcross,* starring Asif Ali, Amala Paul, and Sharafudheen, directed by Arfaz Ayub, offers a completely new experience in Mollywood with a storyline full of twists and turns. The film provides a decent amount of thrilling moments without spoon-feeding the audience, making viewers actively engage their brains to solve the puzzle. Asif Ali's portrayal of his character is remarkable, maintaining a consistent performance from start to finish. However, Amala Paul's performance felt somewhat boring in the middle, and Sharafudheen delivered an average performance. Arfaz Ayub's direction was different and new, and I appreciated his unique approach.

On the downside, the set design felt artificial in many places, which detracted from the movie's overall realism. Despite these flaws, *Levelcross* is a decent one-time watch with a lot of new experiences for the audience. The film's unique approach to storytelling and its engaging plot twists make it worth watching, even if there are areas where it could have been better.

Though not seen much Malayalam movies, I saw this movie by postive reviewes. I found movie absolutely fresh and well written.. story start with alone man working in remote area near railway crossing..his life change when he found girl near crossing...movie initially start slow to portray man's routine but after 30 minutes you will force to know story of both main characters..it's not typical masala movie but slow burn thriller...after minutes by minutes your excitement leval is gone up...I found main lead actor is very versatile...his dressing mannerism and involvement of character is fabulous.. definitely watch movie for thrilling elements..only downpart is climax.which I feel should done better.

It was one of those movies I had no idea about until I saw it on Prime Video's banner. I'm glad I found it, or I would have missed out on a thrilling watch.

The story revolves around a woman who unexpectedly meets an unruly railway gatekeeper at a deserted level crossing due to unforeseen circumstances. They share their experiences, which lead to major revelations coming to light.

This is a film you need to give time to sink in, as it's slow-paced and takes time to establish the narrative. But once the characters start to open up, it's like unveiling a deck of cards-you have no idea who holds what. A game of lies, deception, and betrayal begins, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out who to trust. While a few twists might be predictable, they don't detract from the fun of watching the suspense unfold.

Lately, Asif Ali has been part of some interesting projects, and this film adds to the list. He has nailed his role, from his mannerisms to the nuances of his character, making you root for him. He deserves national accolades for this performance. Amala Paul, returning to the screen after a long break, leaves her mark with a brilliant portrayal of a timid yet strong character. Sharaf U Dheen, though limited in screen time, ensures his presence is felt with a layered performance in flashbacks, doing a fabulous job.

Credit goes to Arfaz Ayub, who directed the film masterfully, making the most of just three characters and a small location. His skillful direction keeps you glued to your seat. The twists and turns are the film's highlight. Special mention to the makeup artist for Asif Ali, who made him look the part and added gravitas to the film. Caution, there is one gruesome scene, so it's not suitable for kids.

This movie is highly recommended for all movie lovers looking for something different. Once again, Malayalam cinema offers a unique experience for viewers.

#pranureviews #LevelCross #LevelCrossReview.

Asif Ali and Amala Paul excel in this movie. The two are different personalities coming from different backgrounds living in different environments, yet share some commonalities. Asif is crude and unrefined working as a gateman at a railway level crossing while Amala Paul is a psychiatrist.

They come to meet each other circumstantially in a remote desert setting at the Railway Level Crossing and embark on a process of mutual discovery on human relationships and life experiences.

Asif Ali excels in his mannerisms and body language as a crude and unrefined person but yet his personality is conditioned by his living circumstances.