Annayum Rasoolum

Movie which ticks all the basic boxes of film making from story, screenplay, editing to choice of artists. The movie is so steady, allows the audience to getinto the mind of the characters. The use of images was exemplary, backwater as the backdrop worked wonders, it showed the tenderness of every character. No one is shown in black shade, they are shown as they are how real they are. Special mention to Andrea for living the character. Movie with high rewatch value. I have watched it like 5 times wholly, as bits many a times. Thanks for reading. Expecting this Rajeev ravi (rarest breed of film makers) magic again in Thuramukkham. Cheers.

Faahadh faasil, Andrea both roles justfaid this carecter Both are innocents, fear and daring pure natural. Cinematography is very welll Movie lite slow but beautiful Don't miss watch the movie

Few months back started watching south indian movies and really love watching Malyalam and Tamil movies (OK Kanmani, Premam, Kannathil Muthamittal, Sita Ramam, 96 etc) Downloaded five to six films of Fahadh Faasil an decided watch to this movie first, without even any hint of the movie except that its a love story. The movie just ended.... and was unable to hold my emotions for a few minutes. Whosoever has ever been in love or with a pure heart can't stop his/her feelings. A love story (Romace / Drama) that is so realistic ,so emotional, and so close to your heart. Hardly a few romantic dialogues or a scene between the couple, But even then it melts your heart and leaves an ever lasting impact; an Excellent love story with superb performances and music. Both Fahadh and Andrea performed so naturally that it just appeared to be happening in real. Love this movie and would highly recommend it. This is a movie which can be seen many a times.

Annayum Rasoolum Annayum Rasoolum is a slow burn. It plays out with a grim inevitability. And yet those fleeting moments in which Anna and Rasool find happiness are enough to provide hope.

In our country, when a man named Rasool falls in love with a woman named Anna, you know that you are in for a tragedy. Religion is an insurmountable wall. Like Romeo and Juliet, Anna and Rasool are star-crossed lovers, doomed from the day they meet.

Actually, it's not so much a meeting as a seeing. It's a night of festivities. Rasool's friends have gotten into a fight. He doesn't know exactly what is going down but he hides near a statue of Mother Mary. Anna approaches to light a candle Her face is bathed in the warm glow. Crouched on the floor, Rasool watches her hidden, unblinking, almost as though he can't believe what he is seeing. He then gets up slowly, takes a step back and rests against the wall behind him. It is as if love has landed a physical blow.

Rasool is a taxi driver. Anna is a salesgirl in a sari showroom. The story is set against the backdrop of Fort Kochi and Vypin in Kerala and it takes place as much on land as in water. Rasool starts to follow Anna, taking the ferry she does to work. He doesn't attempt to talk to her. He just basks in her presence. He even shows up at her workplace - she is modeling a wedding gown for her customer and he sees her as a bride. These passages have minimal dialogue. Anna and Rasool barely talk to each other. It's stolen glances and silent acknowledgement of each other's physical proximity.

This wooing is poetic and problematic. Rasool is a stalker. In one scene, he rummages through Anna's handbag when she isn't around and gets her phone number. He follows her all the way home, walking a few steps behind her in narrow, deserted lanes. In real life, Rasool would be frightening. Anna would have called the cops. But this is a stalker played by Fahadh Faasil so there is an inherent decency in his demeanour. His eyes betray his longing. His passion brims with sincerity. Anna, played by a nicely understated Andrea Jeremiah, is shy and hesitant. The first time they speak, she tells him that it won't work. He says, 'Is it my fault I am born a Muslim?' Eventually, Anna allows herself to hope that there might be a happily ever after.

Annayum Rasoolum is the directorial debut of celebrated cinematographer Rajeev Ravi. Working from a screenplay by Santhosh Echikkanam, Ravi creates a story that throbs with romance but which also stays rooted in the hardship of working-class lives. Rasool's brother Hyder, played by director Aashiq Abu, is desperate to go to the Middle East but he can't find a way out of his daily grind. Andrea's brother, Kunjumon played by Shane Nigam whom you will remember from Kumbalangi Nights, is a lout filled with rage. Andrea tells Rasool that she considered suicide before she met him. These characters are teetering at the edge of despair. There is frustration and violence simmering underneath. Which is what eventually derails the tenuous connection that Anna and Rasool make with each other.

In these hardscrabble circumstances, Ravi and his DOP Madhu Neelakandan create passages of overwhelming beauty. Water is a recurring motif through the film, which is narrated by Anna's neighbor Ashley who works on a ship. Water provides escape and enchantment. It is as if the divisions, resentments and compromises get washed away. Also notice the use of curtains in the film - in several scenes, they add a touch of poetry. The soundtrack by K, which is peppered judiciously through the film, does the same.

Annayum Rasoolum is a slow burn. It plays out with a grim inevitability. We know this cannot end well. And yet those fleeting moments in which Anna and Rasool find happiness are enough to provide hope. Love loses but Ravi allows us to believe that it also uplifts and overcomes. Briefly, it makes ordinary lives sparkle. And that itself is a benediction.

An extension to Thattathin Marayathu, and more emotional & realistic movie is what Annayum Rasoolum is. Fahadh Faasil is fantastic in his role as a Muslim taxi driver while Andrea just fits in.

Probably the first Malayalam movie with a mouth-to-mouth kiss on-screen, the story is clichéd and said, read & published in all types of media, which talks about inter-caste relationship(s). Direction is beautiful and so is the music. Debutant director has left no stones unturned with this movie and yes, it is a very watchable movie with no cheap humor.

Songs are nice and catchy. Cinematography is plausible and every other film-making factor is met through. The supporting cast is very good and actually supportive in this brilliant narration. It induces emotions and if you love romantic movies, this one will surely bite you. Violence in Kerala is depicted in a sever manner and shows the reality - how the innocent & local people act/react at times. A heartening ode to the Kerala city life.

BOTTOM LINE: A very enjoyable movie with an unconventional climax and a somewhat extended screenplay to the usual happy endings. Nice work!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Language: Mediocre | Violence: Critical | Gore: Strong | Smoking, Alcohol: Mediocre | Mouth-Kiss: Mild | Nudity: Mild | Sex: No | Vulgarity: No