Neelavelicham Review – Rediff.com movies – Rediff.com

The lyrical fantastic thing about the songs, the distinctive frames that bind magnificence and poetry make Neelavelicham a near-perfect tribute to the legendary author who marvelled at imperfection and despised grammar as a lot as he hated his writing being edited, observes Divya Nair.

Horror movies in Malayalam have infrequently me.

Blame it on poor storytelling, however over-the-top performances by busty girls clad in white saris thirsty for blood and revenge was solely made worse by cringe-worthy VFX.

On uncommon events, when interspaced with first rate humour and a little bit of logic, there’s some ingenuity which makes the expertise of watching a horror thriller entertaining.

Manichitrathazhu, Anandabhadram and the more moderen Romancham are among the greatest ones that come to thoughts.

I bear in mind my grandmother mentioning that when the late Vaikom Muhammed Basheer’s Bhargavi Nilayam launched in 1964, it was considered one of Malayalam cinema’s most notable horror movies.

As a ’90s child, once I watched it on tv, I could not have appreciated the theatrical rendition of a phenomenal story put collectively by a stellar solid of Madhu, the late Prem Nazir and Vijaya Nirmala, however I did admire the braveness of its makers in establishing a room for compassion for the daring and fearless kohl-eyed feminine ghost even whereas trying to scare the daylights out of you.

The story is easy. An unassuming author rents out a haunted mansion towards the recommendation of his pals and villagers.

Enamoured by the thriller of the mansion’s stunning daughter named Bhargavi, he decides to pen her story as he discovers the reality behind the younger lady’s alleged suicide. Her spirit is believed to be scaring the village people away and claiming harmless lives.

When you’ve got watched the unique, in black and white, you’d maybe agree why Director Aashiq Abu would have needed to adapt this traditional and narrate it for the fashionable viewers.

Starring Tovino Thomas as Basheer, Neelavelicham takes an formidable leap of religion in retelling the story of Bhargavi and Sasikumar, staying true to the unique.

The scenes are tailored body by body however watching it 60 years later comes with its justifiable share of expectations and limitations.

The brand new screenplay and cinematography add a definite allure to this already-seen story.

The movie is extra refined and significance is given to the finer particulars as towards the unique — the dusty interiors of a mysterious, unpopular mansion that includes a loud rodent, a daunting feline typically interrupted by Bhargavi’s gloomy silhouette that seems and fades underneath the moonlit sky are regular elements that promise a little bit of scare and thrill.

For instance, in Bhargavi Nilayam, when the author (performed by Madhu) steps into the mansion the primary time, it appears he is coming into a set the place the environment are acquainted versus Tovino who imitates the identical dialogues however is curious, additionally cautious and a bit scared, as he makes us consider {that a} lady’s vengeful spirit can do him no hurt.

The fantastic thing about Neelavelicham lies within the personification and dignity of its non-living beings.

When the author seeks the permission and blessings of the home proprietor earlier than coming into the home, or when he calls out to Bhargavikutty as if he’s addressing a long-lost buddy, you additionally determine along with his pure coronary heart and intentions.

It’s only pure then that Bhargavikutty regularly accepts his firm and co-inhabits the brand new house he has created for himself in her world.

Aashiq Abu’s adaptation provides a number of new components to the screenplay, just like the scene when Bhargavi curiously sneaks as much as the author’s dairy and reads his private notes, giving us a uncommon glimpse of his pensive solitude, a far cry from his gleeful, spirited public picture.

The visuals and VFX are equally breathtaking, particularly the scene by the seashore the place the author witnesses neelavelicham (blue luminescence, the phenomenon on which the story borrows its title).

It’s a spectacle value savouring on the massive display screen. Nevertheless it leaves lots to be desired when it comes to narrating the core story of a younger couple separated by destiny.

Blame it on the dearth of chemistry between Bhargavi (Rima Kallingal) and Sasikumar (Roshan Mathew) or the selection of characters — maybe they might have solid somebody youthful — you do not fairly really feel as empathetic as one ought to after discovering the unlucky flip of occasions.

Neelavelichama tad boring for a household entertainer.

If you happen to have been to disregard these pure expectations, you’d see the movie for what it achieves: A visible deal with to the senses.

The lyrical fantastic thing about the songs, the distinctive frames that bind magnificence and poetry make Neelavelicham a near-perfect tribute to the legendary author who marvelled at imperfection and despised grammar as a lot as he hated his writing being edited.

As for its characters, besides Rima, most others ship memorable performances.

Shine Tom Chacko, very like his title, shines in his function as Nanukuttan, the menial possessive cousin, the arch villain of the story.

Tovino is good as ever because the restrained however curious, pleasant author who refreshes us with a extra promising, fulfilling function than might have been imagined by the late Vaikom Basheer.

If Bhargavi Nilayam was Vincent A’s debut movie as a director, Neelavelicham is Aashiq Abu’s first try at horror and the latter’s effort at recreating a cinematic traditional does repay.

Neelavelicham streams on Amazon Prime Video.

Neelavelicham Evaluation Rediff Score:

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