MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS
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Movie Name: Bangalore Days
Directed By: Anjali Menon
Music by: Gopi Sundar
Starring: Nazriya Nazim, Nivin Pauly, Dulquer Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Nithya Menon
Year of Release: 2014
Duration: 172 Minutes
Review:
Malayalam cinema has proven time and time again that they are the most capable in handling coming-of-age drama films and they prove their mettle with this gem of a film. Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days (2014) is a vibrant work of art. With no unnecessary items songs or scenes that derail the flow, the film is a sharp and crisp take on how complex human relationships are.
Bangalore Days revolve around three close-knitted cousins, who always promised one another that they would end up in Bangalore when they are old enough. Featuring an all-star cast, Bangalore Days is a sincere and mature viewpoint of human behavior and the little flourishes in life. Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya and Nivin Pauly play the three main characters and they are each given equal screen time to play out their roles in glorious fashion. Each of three actors come with their own magnetic screen presence and it was wonderful to see how they work so well with one another without overpowering the script.
There is always a risk that certain characters may be underutilized or underwritten in film that has a huge ensemble cast but the beauty of the Bangalore Days lies in the character arc given to each of its three main cast members. In fact, the inner journey these characters take are so well-written, you can’t help but feel a genuine attachment to them.
Bangalore Days has a run time close to three hours and that maybe a bit much for some. However, the pacing of the film, fine performances and texture of the script will win you over. It’s not often you see relationships crafted in such delicate and relatable fashion. Thus, if you’re in the mood for an introspective journey, Bangalore Days is strongly recommended.
Movie Name: Kali
Directed By: Sameer Thahir
Music by: Gopi Sundar
Starring: Dulquer Salmaan, Sai Pallavi, Vinayakan, Chemban Vinod Jose
Year of Release: 2016
Duration: 116 Minutes
Review:
Kali (2016), starring Dulquer Salmaan and Sai Pallavi, revolves around an angry young man and the events that unfold in his relationship when his anger explodes out of control.
Kali, exploring human’s most dangerous emotion, the psychological flaw of rage, is a gripping tale of love and the catastrophic consequences of untamed anger. A very simple script that was well-taken in a non-linear format, the story is well-paced and does not waste time in getting the characters and the plot to the forefront.
Its fun watching a character with an extremely short fuse as he reacts violently to every simple situation around him. However, it is because of his extreme reactions that you understand the problems the couple faces later on. Dulquer Salmaan and Sai Pallavi have good chemistry together and their restrained performance during scenes which require them to rein in their fear is impressive. The movie gets darker with every passing minute in the second half, and I found myself on the edge of my seat hoping for clear waters. With a realistic plot and natural acting, the film does well in gripping the audience until the very end.
However, when it comes to thrillers, some films are just a one-time watch and this is one of those films. The film does have its shares of cliches like the damsel-in-distress and the Hero in shining armor but there is a good story and message to take away that is well-worth your time.