Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil

There aren't much jailbreak movies in Malayalam to reference to. So it might not be a surprise to say that Swathanthriyam Ardharathriyil is probably the best jailbreak movie Mollywood has produced till date.

Girish brilliantly captures the helplessness of the inmates, the dirty toilets and the rain that wets the yards during every stumble or conflict Jacob goes through. This, paired with Deepak Alexander's deep-drum back ground score, gives a gritty feel to the audience, who could easily understand the frustration and exasperation every character goes through.

Deepak's score also adds to the stylish element of the film, producing a slo-mo shot every five minutes. As much like slo-mo scenes are a trend in Mollywood and considering how much people hate it, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil has done a work well with the amount of time provided.

The events that lead one thing to another and how the titular character, played by Antony Varghese is caught by the police are comical and almost satisfying. The scenes with the riots and how Jacob's lover is admitted to a Mental Hospital are very well etched out and executed.

The second half definitely fared better than the first, considering how lame the vfx scenes were and how poor the dialogues were delivered from one to another. The last 15-20 minutes of the first half is where the real thrilling element of the film kicks in. Needless to say, the film's climax and the subsequent revelations to the audience is a well done work indeed.

The acting was unprecedented. Antony, Vinayakan, Chemban Vinod, all performed majestically and in some where we are unable to decide whether they really do have a camera in front of them.

Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil borrows themes from almost every jailbreak movie and combines it into one big plethora of stylishness and grittiness. Just like any Jailbreak movie, the lead characters form a group, take out a plan and deliver a cunning twist to the audience. And in Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil , you really do feel the awesomeness.

Happy to see malayalam movies setting bench marks.

The raw and edgy surface of Tinu Pappachan's Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil takes the front seat in his attempt to describe a classic jailbreak recreated using elements that we have seen before. It is not Anthony Varghese, who plays a patient convict eager to escape prison, nor his co-stars who shine throughout the film, but the gritty actions and stunts that fill this envelope made of superficial aspiration. I understand what the makers wanted to develop here, and considering that I finished it with some interesting takeaways, I can say they succeeded. Coupled with hitting rock music, unconventional cinematography, and a basic non-linear narrative, director Pappachan etches a story that is run of the mill but does it in a way that will entertain the hell out of you. I was enthralled by the way the characters talk, using slangs and deadpan expressions like they are talking at a tea stall on a Sunday evening talking shop, or rather how they were made to talk by Pappachan. Which is why I have given at least one extra star here for the brilliant effort. I was hooked for more than two hours in the film, but then was a bit disappointed in how the thriller ends. Even if I do not talk about the multitude of plotholes, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil still remains a film far from perfect. But, hey, it is a rare try at a jailbreak film in Malayalam cinema, which is why it comes highly recommended. Watch for the rawness of jail life, amazing performances by Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Rajesh Sharma, Sinoj Varghese, Vinayakan, and a couple new faces, and the brilliant soundtrack. TN.

A real Men movie Watch it Boys Lead roles are good Slow motion makes remembrance of Amal neerad movies Main story line looks like a copy of famous English movie but all over its power packed

Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil is definitely worth a watch. It might lack the finesse of Angamali Diaries. The film is too over the top. The catchy background score is overused. Some of the twists are a bit hard to believe. The acting is unremarkable in places. Issues with sound recording made some dialogs indecipherable. There are a few loose ends - like how did Anthony Varghese's character become such an expert on jail breaks and lay out of the jail compound?

But the continued entry of new characters and the changing line up of prisoners in the jail cell is entertaining. The interactions (sometimes deadly) between the prisoners is often quite amusing. A line up of mean looking actors has been assembled and they make this film one of the most belligerent in recent times.

The scene in the car wash reminded me of The Seven-Ups (1973).

Nearly 60% of the Angamali Diaries cast makes an appearance. Vinayakan and Chemban Vinod Jose standout among the supporting cast.

Also, I do not think many people grasped the provocative subject matter. The title is borrowed from a famous non-fiction book about India's partition. In the movie, the protagonist longs to escape not just from jail, but also from India which has turned into a communal hellhole.

It is a relentlessly entertaining prison escape film. Tinnu Pappachan is a director whose next film I will definitely watch.

(7/10)