Utharam

This 1989 movie in my native language Malayalam, which I first saw on TV at age 14 sometime in 1992-94, has always remained a haunting presence in my mental cinemascape. I saw it again on TV in 2001-03, and watched it again 16 years later just now -- like my all-time favourite film "Paleri Manikyam", another Mammootty movie, "Utharam" which means "the answer" is a journey to find "the truth" behind a woman's death.

As the bereaved protagonist interviews various people connected with the past life of the deceased woman, the sad truth is revealed in layers, with a typically excellent performance by the actors -- the child saying (that his name is) "Emmanuel Antony" is one of the most devastating scenes in Malayalam cinema. Poignant tragedy with an uplifting finish. Highly recommended for fans of Malayalam noir. However, I am not sure a version with subtitles exists for the rest of the world... Great film for sure!!

While certain aspects of the film might feel dated, Utharam - scripted by M.T Vasudevan Nair and directed by Pavithran, is a solid mystery drama that still sends shivers down my spine, especially with its climax twist. Stellar performances from the likes of Mammootty, Sukumaran, Sankaradi, and Parvathy are certainly amongst the film's positives.

Based on the short story No Motive by Daphne du Maurier, the film will be remembered for how well M.T Vasudevan Nair tweaks it almost flawlessly for Malayali audiences. It's an elaborately structured screenplay with every character having a significant role to play in unraveling layers of the dead woman's past. The background score by Johnson adds to the film's overall intrigue. The supposed "answer" (as the title suggests) leaves room for a few minor fallacies, but it's a well-grounded film overall.

Utharam is a 1989 crime thriller film directed by Pavithran and scripted by MT Vasudevan Nair and starring Mammootty, Sukumaran, Suparna, Parvathi and Sukumari. Journalist Balachandran (Mammootty)'s friend and mentor Mathew Joseph (Sukumaran)'s wife and poet Selena (Suparna)'s suicide suspect is being investigated. On his journey to find Balu's investigation / answer, he meets Shyamala Menon (Parvathi), Selena's childhood friend and teacher. Continuing the investigation from the information received from Shyamala, Balu arrives at that shocking answer. This film is one of the rare films that makes the audience want to watch it in one sitting.

A deep searching journey down the life and evolution of a poetess and wife who meets a sudden death which could be suicide or accident. Balu (mammmooty) starts the investigation down the lane of life. In his journey, he meets up with her childhood friend who lost track of her down the memory lane.. Recreating the past, the movie comes to a very satisfying end..

The high degree of practical improvisation ability of a journalist shows in Mammooty's character, implemented and presented seamlessly...

An awesome movie, with awesome revelations : "Irul veenoridavazhiyil evide vechaarente cheru kai vilakkum edutherinju.."

The movie will disturb you after you watch. Perfect screen play. Scenes are realistic especially in the beginning of the movie. The genre is investigative but runs on different track with respect to the contemporary Malayalam cinema of that time.

Sukumaran is just fantastic to watch and so real. Same with Sankarady. The movie begins with Suprana's death and subsequent scenes in which different characters remembers what all things happened around the same time when they heard the gun shot. The scenes of Sankaradi are very well taken.

The casting is unconventional and justified. One may surprise Suparna and Sukumaran as husband and wife but it is very well justified.

The movie depends mainly on the screenplay and the casting.