9: Nine

*******SPOILERS AHEAD******* The movie '9' casting Prithviraj revolves around the bonding between a father and son. It's a psychological thriller. Movie depicts Albert(Prithviraj) as a schizophrenic person with dual personality (one being Albert and the other as Eva). Actually, what I mean to write is not a pure review of the movie "9". It's just a theory.. The film reminds me of M. Night Shyamalan's "SPLIT", which has the protagonist with 24 personalities ;) And, here in '9', I am proposing that there is at least 4 personalities for Albert! The wolf which is chasing Albert is, his own fear. Towards the end, Albert manages to conquer his fear, at a point where the wolf starts to step back. The character Dr. Inayat Khan is Albert's another face. No one except Albert has seen Dr. Khan throughout the storyline. Oops! Adam has seen him, right? (We will come back to that). In the office, Albert's colleagues ask for Dr. Khan's photo, and they get to know that Khan has no phone or a mail ID!(which shows the inexistence of Khan in real world). Like Divya wants to meet Eva, to prove Albert's disorder, the office scene is just a repetition in the past. The colleagues wanted their mentor to be alright. Now, coming back to Adam..he is seeing Khan for the first time(Khan earlier visited when Adam was just a toddler of a year old), when he is playing with the football and breaking the flower vase. But still he replies to Khan's words saying that Khan has also grown old. Actually here Adam is talking to his father itself, with Khan's personality this time. And that's why he was scared also, because Albert has seen Adam breaking the vase; but to his surprise Albert was just calm and supportive because of Khan's character inside. Albert was obsessed with Khan 's character. Now we can relate why child Albert sends out post to Dr. Khan during school days... without any address, to be precise! Also, Dr. Khan says that on 8th day he will visit Albert. "How you will come as there is no mode of transportation?",Albert asks.. "I have my ways...I have my ways.."Khan replied. Of course! He just needs a fraction of second to flip the mind and apparate in front of Albert.

N.B: These are just my findings seeing only 1 time in theatre. For any erroneous information, please correct me.

For a film that is marketed and promoted as a Sci-fi thriller with elements of horror, 9 may overstep the beliefs that the audience entrusts with the film's crew. 9 is that film that you really want to see succeed and wishes that something excites you in the next frame. Spoiler alert : it never happens.

9's premise and initial themes excited me. It was so damn good. And is yet again a very good example that 9 could have been in safer hands if it had been held and nurtured by a seasoned creative director than Jenuse. I've got nothing against him and i loved his execution of 100DOL, but you cannot entrust such a beautiful theme to a prospect and expect it to flourish. It may have been done before, but here it doesn't seem to lighten up. The film is deep. That is a major plus. But it doesn't present that thoughtfulness to the audience very well. There are instances in the film that questions itself why it's there. And when the film climaxes, you understand why those weird scenes were in the movie and why it mattered. And you understand that the movie forcefully included scenes that doesn't make sense so as to achieve it's ending. That realization is not a pleasant feeling.

The film's major plus is the film's visuals itself. It's one of a kind. I have to say that. The film deserves at least that. The visuals were eye popping and exciting. That itself is an understatement. The low light shots were beautifully handled and it is an example of how Hollywood level technicalities can be recreated in Mollywood too.

I would not go the length and say 9's ending and the so called 'twist' is cliché, but definitely doesn't create the impact that it should've had. The film presents the story quite expertly and it creates a strong impression early on. This was the standard with which the film's ending should've been crafted with. But although the story defcets, 9 keeps a very good pace and allows the viewer to judge the film's story from another perspective.

9's cinematography, it's characters, the exotic locations and the lead actors make it a film worth a strict one time watch. Nothing more. Nothing less.

PS - I know this review might come off as unusual considering the long list of reviews that state this film as excellent. I wanted to make it clear that this is what I could gather from the film and what i think all the general consensus thinks about the film.

9, keeps a fresh experience in Malayalam industry. Director Jenuse proven that, Mollywood haven't any limitations to do Sci-Fi Movies or any different genres. Well crafted story by Jenuse Mohammad, tells an intense relationship between a father and son on the background of a scientifically related global event.

Prithviraj Sukumaran did very well and shows one of the finest role of his career as an Astrophysicist named Albert Louise. A super-natural power tries to threaten to the life of his son, Adam, and Albert struggles to save Adam from them.

Another highlight character is Iva and it's done by Wamiqa Gabbi, who is familiar to Mollywood by her debut movie 'Godha'. She did an excellent, astonishing performance. I think Prakash Raj as Dr.Inayat Khan haven't much screen presence in movie, but the few scenes he handled seems really superb.

Nobody ever attempted to make such a movie in Malayalam with different genres combines together. Nine is an mixture of Sci-Fi, Psychological Thriller and Horror. But apart of these, Nine strongly said about emotional relationship of a father and son. Nine gives a very engaging first half and an above average second half.

Background Score by Sekhar Menon made audience to glued upon the seats. Abinandhan Ramanujam gifts magical frames to viewers by his outstanding Cinematography. The technical team of this movie deserves an applause because they paid much attention in VFX. Normally VFX in regional movies seems very pathetic, but Nine have a high quality Visual Effects which didn't create any trouble to viewers.

We couldn't find answers for all the questions after those struggling 9 days. There are so much doubts left which we cannot find the answers. But as the protagonist's theory, all questions have it's answers. A lot of mystery still left there.

A bigfish like Sony Pictures can choose any other industry in India having technologically advanced, when they stepping into regional movies. There's only one answer for Why Malayalam, The content of Malayalam movies!!

Overall a must watch movie for a good visual treat and different experience. Hope more movies like this will rises in Mollywood soon!!

My Rating : 3.5/5 (Above Average)

Cinephile Monk® 7/02/2019

It is a visual treat for the malayalam industry. The movie making is beyond what words can express. Excellent acting from Prithvi, Wamiqa, Master Alok and the rest of the team. This film proves that our industry can go to greater heights.

Didn't live upto the expectations i got from first 15 minutes. Spoiled an interesting plot (what i thought it would be) and diverted into the usual 'its me' kinda typical Prithviraj horror movie. The Sci-fi part is just an establishiment period for the real plot which can be classified into Horror or Psyco-thriller only. It felt like they included that small part for marketing as the first sci-fi movie in malayalam. Making is good though, especially bgm, vfx and cinematography.