Ullozhukku

Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) is a slow-burning tale of a household distraught with flooding and disease. The people in the house are trying to navigate the hardships and getting by but something seems amiss between them. And the issues come out one by one, slowly, attracting the viewer in, getting them invested. I loved how this happens and how the two lead actors take it in their stride to carry the film. It's pure drama for drama lovers and save for the rushed last act, Ullozhukku will give you the chills. A must-watch for the whole family to see how secrets and past can come and break future relations.

Ullozhukku, written and directed by Christo Tomy, offers a raw and sincere take on human vulnerabilities and their long-lasting undercurrents. All it takes is a solid screenplay for the magnificent revival of powerhouse performers like Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu, especially the former. Urvashi, portraying a mother (and mother-in-law) dealing with her son's illness and eventual demise in a frequently flooding backwater town, is in a league of her own. She reminds us what an asset she is to South Indian cinema, with even the minutest changes in facial expression and demeanor wholly accounted for. On the other hand, Parvathy plays a character that's etched in such a way that she's initially difficult to side with, but the layered writing keeps telling us there's more to her than what meets the eye. She also brings a methodical yet gripping take on Anju, a woman who's forced to marry someone against her choice, and then left in a dire situation between her (ex) boyfriend and mother-in-law.

The writing carries the heft of a family drama with secrets unfolding one by one, and it even exhibits shades of a thriller occasionally, because we're led to think something drastic might happen with each little plot development. DoP Shehnad Jalal smartly plays with character focus, switching between Leelamma and Anju in intense scenarios featuring both. The constant flooding in and around their house also comes across as Mother Nature playing its own game and messing things up further, only to resolve them in due course. A delayed burial, a mistimed phone call, a conversation being overheard, an old medical report being found, a moment of familial reconciliation - every event has an emotional payoff. Death and birth begin to take different meanings in the household.

The supporting cast, including names such as Arjun Radhakrishnan, Alencier Ley Lopez, and Jaya Kurup, is also really good. Sushin Shyam's work on the score is a definite plus, and he brings his A-game. Kiran Das keeps the drama pegged at a good 2 hours and he's wise not to stretch a single scene to milk further sentiment. Christo Tomy and his 8-year journey with Ullozhukku ends on a highly satisfying note. I get the feeling he and his crew benefited big time by shooting the film in sync sound.

P. S. Did I expect things to go insanely overboard in the climax? YES. But, was I satisfied with the route Christo took to end the film? ABSOLUTELY!

Ullozhukku

An ocean of emotions portrayed through sunken human minds.

The plot of the story is about the survival of a young women in a unhappy married life covered up with lies,emotions and her deeply rooted relationship with her mother in law.

Christo has excelled in portraying the inner emotions of each characters in the movie very brilliantly. Not a single lag was felt and it is evident from the way he has penned the script. He has associated the emotional agony of each characters with the endless downpour in the movie.

Urvashi...The real queen...What a versatile delivery. Parvathi's performance with Urvashi especially in the darker areas was at par. Impressive delivery by Prashanth Murali,Alencier,Arjun & Jaya Kurup.

Sushin Shyam has got a feather on his hat again. He has proved that he can shoulder music for any genres. The Background score was so soothing and blended well along with the heavy downpour.

Shehnad Jalal's hands behind the camera was top notch and the way he captured the real beauty of Kuttanad and the hardships of the people in monsoon.

An emotionally touching family drama after Kaathal - The Core.

Rating - 3.75/5.

Movie 7, Urvashi Chechi Oscar.

Urvashi Chechi as the Meryl Streep of kutanad.

Best performance yet by the GOAT.

Movie is slow, great visuals of kutanad.

Urvashi Chechi Oscar worthy performance, her performance is the only thing to talk about in this movie.

The movie is average Urvashi Chechi kills her part.

Her best lead performance movie yet.

Parvathy Thiruvothu is the other lead performer in the movie.

Flood issues of kutanad presented well as the region is mostly flooded and boat journeys are required.

GOAT of Malayalam Urvashi Chechi is the only reason to watch this movie, her performance adds pain to the movie.

Rave reviews and a stellar cast are surely the best ingredients to allure you to watch a movie, and that is exactly what pulled me to watch this one.

It is the story of an ailing husband who succumbs to death, leaving behind his wife and mother. The delay in burying him due to floods brings out hidden truths, lies, and the complexity of relationships to the forefront.

On the surface, it may look like a simple tale, but it has multiple layers that draw you in. The screenplay is tight and helps you understand the intent behind every action taken by the characters. The best part about the movie is that everyone is right in their perspective, yet everyone can be called wrong if you switch on the societal compass.

Legendary actress Urvashi is a force to reckon with when it comes to acting. She still is the best and delivers a standout performance. The emotional turmoil she faces comes across naturally through her facial expressions. Parvathy Thiruvothu is another example of an exemplary actress, and she proves it yet again. Prasanth Murali, even with limited screen presence, does well.

Captain of the ship, Christi Tomy, creates an immersive experience for viewers where silence speaks volumes. The cinematography is another brilliantly done aspect, with picturesque frames that captivate you. It is not your run-of-the-mill story; rather, you get to see a progressive story set in a small village in Kerala.

Get ready to watch a movie that is slow yet highly engaging. Don't miss this gem at any cost and be ready to watch never seen before relationship between daughter in law and mother in law.

#pranureviews #Ullozhukku #UllozhukkuReview.