Kaanekkaane

There was potential in the theme. The first reaction after watching the movie was how the Padmarajan-Bharathan era used to have been so much better. Those movies used to just feel right, used to communicate directly to the heart.

Kaanekaane has a good subject. However, there were many half baked portions to the script. The movie and the viewer end up in different places at the end of the movie. Performances were less than stellar. Camera work also felt very plain.

"Paalnilavin" song was really good. This is the kind of movie that has the potential to be a tear-jerker in the hands of yester-year masters, and also had the potential for remarkable standout performances. However, performances were below par. Suraj Venjaramoodu was definitely not at his best in this movie.

Bobby-Sanjay duo did not match up to themselves in their writing either. The turn around realization moment for the main protagonist is almost infantile.

"Joseph" was a movie with an incredible theme whose execution did not take the most advantage of it. This one is similar. What remained as far as it's experience was a strain full of start imperfections. I did start with high expectations for the movie. It was a good subject but did not hit the mark in terms of it's writing, performances, execution.

Kaanekkaane is a slow paced thriller that grips onto your curiousity unhurriedly. It does take its own time to establish the characters, the relations and the plot.

Once it does, there is a plot point where the viewers are dragged into the mystery, along with Suraj's character.

It does ascend from there and reaches a climax that is pleasantly satisfying.

Suraj and Tovino play the lead roles along with Aiswarya Lekshmi and Prem Prakash playing supporting roles.

This is definitely one of the better films that has come out recently in malayalam after the OTT wave kick started with Drishyam 2. Having a lower budget and lesser production cost has affected the quality of a lot of such films but not this. This film has a screenplay strong as concrete and so are the dialogues.

At a time when drone shots are overused, this film strangely makes us miss such shots, atleast in the climax.

Manu Ashokan who did a good job by directing 'UYARE' repeated his quality work here too.

Suraj wasn't surprising as he did magic in 'ANDROID KUNJAPPAN' and 'DRIVING LICENSE', he did the same here.

What surprises us is Tovino who did a fantastic job in a role that could've easily made him sweat or overexpress at times, given the plethora of emotions he has to portray. He did a very matured and controlled acting that makes us believe he is the character. Aiswarya too demonstrated her talents to show the emotional turmoils the wife character goes through. Special mention to the kid who is pretty much the better actor than other kids of last 2 years.

The film is strong, gripping, thrilling and ofcourse the return of writer duo Bobby-Sanjay who gave us masterpieces 'Ayalum Njanum Thammil' 'Mumbai Police' etc and the recent disaster 'ONE'. Hope the writers stay onto the track now.

Overall, a very well made film that does awake one's mind with beautifully acted characters.

I could not get my eyes off the screen the whole time . It showcases the human mind and how it will change for the situations. I was in awe for a really long time after I watched this master piece created by the director Manu Ashokan after his debut in Uyare. A perfect emotional rollercoaster.. iam still not out from the movie yet.

A promising director and iam sure that he will create wonders in Malayalam film industry.

Difficult to single it out, but worth a watch.

Suraaj or Tovino, and Aishwarya too - play out their roles beautiful in this touching family drama. There is an element of mystery, just barely tho', 'cause that was an easy guess.

The movie has an amazing story line and casting was very well hand picked. The concept, the making and the music... everything was on the proportion. Heart smiled and mind blown!