Film: “Churuli” (Streaming on Sony LIV).Time: 120 minutes
Director: Lijo Jose Pellisery.Cast: Vinay Shahir, Vinay Vinod, Chemban Vinod, Vinay Pellisery, Jaffer Idukki, Joju George.
IANS Rating: 1/2
Lijo Jose Pelisery (Ace Malayalam Director) has created yet another film set in high-range Kerala.It has the same amount of mystery, humor, and fantasy as his previous movies, such that it is sure to be a huge box office hit.
However, the director seems to have established a benchmark with his unique style of filmmaking.There are shades of Jallikettu in certain shots, while the deep, wild, and misty forest resemblances.
It is based on the Vinoy Thomas short story, ‘Kaligeminnarile Kuttavalikal,’ which was a brilliant Malayalam writer.
The director adds fantasy elements to the movie.
Antony (Chemban Vinod José, co-producer of the movie) and Shajeevan, a pair of police officers, are on the trail for a criminal in an ongoing case (LPC).
They cross a bridge to reach a location that appears to be in another space.The police officers are disguised.
It centers on a toddy shop that is also a church.The film takes the viewers into an unreal world with mystery and intrigue.
It seems that the central theme of the film is history repeating itself.Shajeevan (one of the officers) says that the village seems like it has been there for centuries, even though he only stepped in to it a few days earlier.
Similarity to ‘Jallikettu” is found in the film’s pace and mood, which is reminiscent of raucous ribaldry.As in the case with ‘Jallikettu,’ women are not given much in this movie.
However, the Malayalam cinema industry is experimenting with female-centric films such as “Great Indian Kitchen”.The movie is still charming thanks to the excellent performances of Chemban Vinod, Vinay Fortt and others.
“Churuli” begins with a Namboothiri man going on a search for a Perumadan, or a Phantom, and he is unaware that the Perumadan was inside the basket he was carrying.
There are some fun scenes and frightening scenes in the film, but viewers don’t get the answers they seek as they learn more about the bizarre behavior of Churuli.
Although the driver of the jeep that takes policemen to Churuli was polite and expressive, when the group crosses a bridge their manner changes.They become overly aggressive and roguish.
Jaffer Idukki plays the foul-mouthed owner of the toddy shop.Interestingly, both police officers change their behavior when they reach Churuli.
Although the movie is about uncovering the hypocrisy hidden behind civilized world masks, there are moments when the director seems to have lost the point.
Madhu Neelakandan’s camerawork is charming, and S.Hareesh’s screenplay is perfectly in line with Vinoy Thomas’ story.Lijo Jose Pellisery has to forget about the baggage of his ‘Jallikettu’ days as a director.
Even though ‘Churuli” can sometimes meander, it works due to its precise script, superb camerawork, and impeccable acting by Jojo George, Vinay Fort, Chemban Vinod José, and Vinay Idukki.
aal/srb
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