| Directed by | Ajai Vasudev |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Nishad Koya |
| Story by | Dhayal Padmanabhan |
| Produced by | Gokulam Gopalan |
| Starring | Kunchacko Boban Rajisha Vijayan Guru Somasundaram |
| Cinematography | Faiz Siddik |
| Edited by | Riyas K Badhar |
| Music by | Stephen Devassy Sam C. S. |
| Production company | Sree Gokulam Movies |
Gist of the Story
An early visitor is a surprise for Mercy and her parents. A diabolical purpose drives Michael, a wildlife photographer, as he travels from Kochi to Mysore. What are Michael’s intentions?
Detailed Plot
On his way from Kochi to Mysore, wildlife photographer Michael chooses to halt in a village close to the forest boundary between Kerala and Karnataka in Wayanad. He crosses paths with a family that is struggling to make ends meet and includes a mother, an alcoholic father, and Mercy, a disobedient daughter. Mercy learns that Michael is carrying both a valuable item and a pistol, and the family must carefully consider their next move—especially in light of warnings of a Maoist threat—after that. What you witness in Pakalum Pathiravum is how that traveler’s one-night visit alters everything for the family.
Artistes’ Performances
In the movie, Kunchacko Boban’s part is more of a long cameo in which his persona is presented as a victim as opposed to a danger. Although you might find it annoying because Kunchacko Boban has less screen time in the movie, his presence gives the movie depth. Since Rajisha is the only character in the film who stands out, she gives a terrifying performance. The time they squandered on Tamizh and Guru Somasundaram’s meaningless opponents cannot be justified. In his role as the sensitive and inebriated father with a peculiar slang, Manoj KU did a nice job.
Direction / Technical Side
Like the name suggests, “Pakalum Pathiravum” is a suspenseful family drama that takes place in one day. The 2018 Kannada film Aa Karaala Ratri by Dayal Padmanabhan, upon which the movie is based. The usage of slow motion in Pakalum Pathiravum starts with the police raiding a remote hamlet to apprehend suspected Maoists in the opening scene. The only goal of the slow-motion pictures is to lead the audience to believe that one or more characters have important roles to perform before they are disproven. Three characters are highlighted at the beginning of the movie, which indicates that all trio will be equally important to the story and that the plot’s central conflict will be where their paths converge. It doesn’t, as it turns out.
The film has several interesting twists and turns, but none of them are exciting. The directing of Ajai Vasudev fails to make use of the aspects that would have helped the movie achieve the necessary intensity. Instead, the creator seemed more interested in using slow-motion pictures and loud, invasive music to create “mass” elements. Although Kedar’s BGM is a little conventional and loud, Stephen Devassy’s tracks are excellent.
Verdict; If Pakalum Pathiravum had been depicted in a more realistic manner, it would have been an exciting watch. The movie features a lot of intriguing twists, but none of them are very compelling. The film’s sole saving grace is Rajisha Vijayan’s strong performance. A Wasted Oppurtunity