Eeda

Good movie showcasing the culture of Kannur district.

Good love story but plot just ok. Involuntary involvement into politics is well illustrated.

One of the most realistic love stories in Malayalam. Although the age-old story reminiscent of Romeo & Juliet is reiterated here, the honesty in portraying the reality of love and the society is rarely seen like this. The never ending blood feud of the left and right wing parties in the Kannur district which has its roots in the ancient warrior culture of Chekavar has never been shown in a film with such honesty. Even with all this, the film falters with its narrative by not keeping the viewers engaged. The acting is mostly very good but it is the two lead actors who lack consistency throughout the film. For a directorial debut of an editor, the editing could have been much tighter with almost an hour longer than needed in there. The inclusion of the balcony scene was unexpected and they pulled it off perfectly which is quite amazing considering the tone of the film.

If the Kannur dialect does not interest you (or if you are from Kannur itself) or do not agree with the idea of politics influencing the lives of two lovers then this crime drama is not for you. Ajithkumar's Eeda depends on its two strong pillars - actors Shane Nigaam and Nimisha Sajayan - and their subtle performances to weave a story that is as realistic as it can get. It's about how an innocent (and platonic) relationship between two lovers is affected by their families' outlook on local politics, and how crime takes centerstage in what should ideally be influenced by feelings of love and passion. Watching Eeda will make you relate with the political landscape of your own town (in Kerala). Because Nigaam and Sajayan are supported by able actors like Manikandan Achari, Sudhi Koppa, Alencier Lopez, and Sujith Sankar among others, Eeda never feels like a dull film despite it not resorting to masala that is otherwise prevalent in majority of the other films coming out in Mollywood. There's honesty and hope in what director Ajithkumar concocts through his writing and direction, making Eeda one of the most subtle yet loud films on Kerala politics. TN.