 |
| Image credit X |
The Malayalam thriller Bougainvillea is gripping not only by the interesting plot but by its powerful performances, including the lead by Jyothirmayi. Written and directed by Amal Neerad, inspired from Lajo Jose's novel Ruthinte Lokam, it has all the suspense, psychological trauma, and emotional depth of a thriller that has kept viewers on the edge.
A Riveting Premise:
The story deals with the relationship between Royce, Kunchacko Boban, and his wife Reethu, who finds herself amidst a mystery when Reethu's photograph is found near the hostel where the missing girl disappeared. It becomes dark because Reethu has no recollection of that incident, and many disappearances happen, along with fights by Reethu in this case of retrograde and anterograde amnesia. The film explores how Reethu pieces together her fragmented memories to uncover the truth, making the audience a part of her tumultuous journey.
Jyothirmayi Shines Bright:
Jyothirmayi plays Reethu as a revelation. She convinces and carries off the emotional intricacies of her character very well. The way she portrays mood swings, forgetfulness, and vulnerability in Reethu is testament to her acting talent. Every frame she appears in is a treat to the eyes, as the art team manages the surroundings so aptly, mirroring the chaos within Reethu's calm. Her performance elevates the film, making her the undisputed star of this psychological thriller.
Supporting Cast: Stellar and Memorable
Srindaa, as Rema, Reethu's domestic help and emotional anchor, delivers a heartfelt performance. The depth in the story adds by unwavering support and fiery character traits of her. Veena Nair as Meera and Sharafudheen as Biju, driver, also contributes significantly even though they are not shown much on the screen. Known for his versatility, Kunchacko Boban succeeds in balancing the duality of Royce's character—charming yet intense while Fahadh Faasil's presence may be brief but adds that extra star power without overpowering the narration.
Narrative and Technical Brilliance:
 |
| Image credit X |
The film's choices for the narrative, including its subtle foreshadowing through elements such as animal sounds, creaky noises, and symbolic props, including paintings of bougainvillea and sunflowers, are noteworthy, in addition to enhancing storytelling but keeping the audience invested in solving the mystery along with Reethu.
The visual brilliance, courtesy of Anend C. Chandran's cinematography, transforms enclosed spaces into immersive settings that reflect Reethu's mental state. Precise editing by Vivek Harshan ensures the film maintains a gripping pace, though the extended climax could have benefited from tighter cuts.
Music and Sound Design: A Perfect Blend
The music by Sushin Shyam, with the haunting track Sthuthi during the credits, enriches the film's emotional depth. Background scores and sound effects increase suspense and make Bougainvillea an auditory masterpiece.
Strengths and Shortcomings:
While Bougainvillea impresses with a gripping narrative and outstanding performances, the second half's slowing down does take away slightly from its impact. It loses some of its edge to predictability, even when it is exciting, because of the stretched climax. However, the restraint in graphic violence by Amal Neerad adds that realism to the film, and it becomes more relatable because of it.
Some minor incongruities in the dialogue and details of cases also are noted but don't detract from the brilliance of the film.
Conclusion:
The power of strong female leads in Malayalam cinema is a testament to Bougainvillea, which boasts a career-defining performance from Jyothirmayi. Amal Neerad's direction, with the narrative input of Lajo Jose, results in a thriller that keeps the audience hooked from start to finish. Minor flaws aside, the film is a visual and emotional treat that solidifies its place as one of the standout Malayalam movies of the year.
For the psychological thriller and engaging storyline enthusiasts, Bougainvillea is a watch that will surely leave some lasting impressions.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Speedculb.com is now available on whatsapp and telegram. Follow today and get important news
Follow Us 👉
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Please wait for 45 seconds...
Post a Comment