Aattam

A fantastic movie that really takes the dark, self-serving, materialistic human nature and puts it out in broad daylight. This is a great commentary on virtue signalling, hypocrisy, trust, betrayal, hierarchy, and human values.

The writing and the direction are really well done - the movie feels real, and you find yourself getting emotionally invested in the plot. The relatable subject matter also helps in the engagement, and while a movie of this sort often runs the risk of coming across as quite preachy - Aattam never falls into this trap.

But what sets this movie a class apart from the rest is the quality of the acting. Every single cast member has done a phenomenal job. I found myself hating, sympathising with, and being disappointed in the characters at different points through the movie - and the fact that this movie brought out such strong emotions from the audience is testament to the skill with which each actor portrayed their characters.

Overall, this is a movie that makes you think long and hard about what you would have done if you were put in a similar situation, and this leads to some good introspection.

I would not be lying, If I would be calling this the best movie I have ever seen in my life. It jas got multiple layers, exposes a ton of human shortcomings. You will walk out of the theathre with some answers but more questions. Question about yourself, the society, morality, human self-seving nature and what not.... It subtly projects tons of issues that is wrong with the society and yet those issues are not the central theme. It is like an amalgamation of a Agatha christie novel and Refinald Rose writing.

It is a wholesome experience, screenplay, story, direction, acting everything top notch.

Lucky are the ones who would get the oppurtunity to watch this.

Loved this movie ! Film making at its finest - each dialogues, framing, pacing, cinematography, score, acting all are top notch !

The premise is crafted with such panache that everyone and everything is believable. The inner workings, failure and limitations of humans, greed over righteousness, subtle misogyny all are depicted so very well ! All characters are shown barely - it is all shades of grey - there is no hero or villian and victim is not powerless or helpless.

Wonderful and the pre-climax with twist was beautiful and the climax was satisfying !

Highly recommended - much watch for all, who are into serious movies.

This movie should get 11/10 for its dialogues. It is sheer perfection. The movie stands out as one of the best Indian movie of last 5 years. It's a breath of fresh air to the actual cinema lovers when there is someone out there respecting the art of filmmaking. The movie has shown ways in which a movie can be made without getting bored for even a second.

You all don't waste time reading my review, just go and watch it already. Pure cinema.

Don't mind the next few words. This is just to fill up the space.

After a theater group's party, their sole actress is subjected to a crime from one of the men. Stories unravel, suspicions surface and clamor ensues as a meeting is called to reach a consensus.

A theater group named Arangu is thriving with the addition of a film actor Hari, who has replaced Vinay to be the play's hero. Anjali is the sole female in the group and the main female lead. To celebrate the success of their play, they are invited to a luxurious hotel. That drunken night leads to sexual molestation of Anjali and she suspects it to be Hari while confiding about it to Vinay. What follows next is the men from the theater group, trying to discuss the possibility of expelling Hari as a retaliation while their hypocrisy, dual faced characters, greed and judgemental behavior gets exposed.

This dialogue heavy gem is yet another addition to the Malayalam cinema that effectively deals with a sensitive story and presents it with exceptional narrative. As the first hour is dedicated to introducing each of these characters and their background, with almost all of them hailing from lower middle class. Vinay and Anjali are in a relationship but he is not ready to make it public using his impending divorce followed by his jealousy towards Hari for losing the hero role in the play. This sets up the story and the subsequent drama to unfold later on.

Adding to this is the mystery of who actually did that heinous act and with the men discussing over various possibilities without firmly taking sides, start exposing their petty nature, until Anjali enters the house to join in on that discussion and I cannot stress enough how effective the scene building is, throughout the film. The dialogues aren't superficial and those lines are sync with their personalities and mindset. The way all of it culminates in that terrific climax, where real world isn't capable of meting out justice, art does. Director Anand Ekarshi on his debut has definitely shown immense promise with his craft and starting with Zarin Shihab, the dozen supporting cast, have given commendable performances.