Toby Movie Review & Analysis

Gist of the Story

Despite being innocent, Toby is frequently used by the village head Ananda as a hired killer. Toby’s beast, however, awakens when Ananda tampers with Jenny, his beloved possession.

Detailed Plot

Sampath, the newly appointed station inspector, arrives at Thamas Katte, a charming village in Coastal Karnataka. The village is abuzz with preparations for the upcoming Maari jatre festival. Jenny comes to the police station, desperately searching for her father, Toby, who has been missing for two days. Intrigued by Jenny’s unique appearance, Sampath takes it upon himself to locate Toby, a man who is known to the villagers as both a devil and an innocent angel. Toby, who was abandoned as a child, has faced a life of hardship and lost his voice during a traumatic incident in his past. However, Father Iglesias from the local church provides Toby with love and care, which is a new experience for him. Despite his challenges, Toby has found solace in a small circle of people who truly understand him, including Father Iglesias, Damodara who works at the mortuary, Jenny (whom he found and adopted as his own), and Savitri, a sex worker.

Artistes’ Performances

Toby is absolutely captivated by Raj B Shetty’s outstanding performance in the movie. From the moment he appears on screen until the climax, Shetty’s acting is truly exceptional. Although he doesn’t speak, his acting makes sure that nothing gets lost in translation. The casting for the supporting roles is also remarkable. Samyukta Hornad as Savitri, Chaithra J Achar as Jenny, Gopalkrishna Deshpande as Damodara, and Yogi Bankeshwar as Fr Iglesias all deliver stellar performances. Samyukta Hornad breathes life into the character of Savitri, displaying a remarkable range of emotions. Her portrayal is both nuanced and powerful, making every scene she is in gripping and impactful. Chaithra J Achar’s portrayal of Jenny is equally impressive. Gopalkrishna Deshpande brings a unique energy to the character of Damodara. His performance is filled with depth and authenticity, adding layers of complexity to the film. And let’s not forget Yogi Bankeshwar’s portrayal of Fr Iglesias, which is nothing short of brilliant.

Direction / Technical Side

In order to continuously spark a blizzard of challenges, director Basil Alchalakkal uses his protagonist’s buried rage as part of the plot. The focus of the first half is on getting to know Toby via the individuals that mattered to him and had a meaningful impact on his life. With more and more disappearances and the ensuing mysteries, the second half is when things get really grisly. When Toby teams up with the local bad guy who uses Toby to settle scores, the cleverly structured movie comes to its senses. The plot now devolves into a rage-fest that is neither necessary nor necessary. However, Raj B Shetty, who plays a frightened and violent freelancer who becomes a pawn in strong hands, is largely responsible for the movie never losing our interest. The plot of Toby doesn’t move quickly through its several stages. Instead, it builds tension and intensity gradually, which might not appeal to viewers who want storytelling that moves quickly.

But there’s a structural problem with the movie that can’t be ignored. The choice to use slow motion shots all the way to the end throws off the pace. Despite being visually stunning, some moments suffer from an overabundance that lessens their impact. Similar to how the characters’ constant deadpanness initially intrigues the spectator, it soon makes them yearn for more thrill and depth. As a result, the movie’s climax doesn’t quite live up to its potential. Due of the slow pacing, the emotional payoff that should accompany the conclusion of the story is greatly diminished. The cinematography of Praveen Shriyan gives the movie more depth. The broad pictures perfectly capture both Toby’s ruthlessness and the beauty of nature. The film’s soundtrack is also worth mentioning, with each song perfectly complementing the on-screen actions and emotions.

Verdict;

Toby is not a fast-paced film. It takes its time to create tension and intensity. Despite the Slower Pace in Narration, the performances, screenplay, cinematography, and music all blend together seamlessly to deliver an unforgettable viewing experience. The acting of Raj B Shetty as Toby makes it more intriguing to watch than the plot.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.