★ 4 / 10
"An Overwritten Mystery That Loses Its Meaning"
Director Jeethu Joseph once again fails to impress with this film, making it feel like a second disappointment in a row after Mirage. The main problem starts…
Director Jeethu Joseph once again fails to impress with this film, making it feel like a second disappointment in a row after Mirage. The main problem starts with the writing. The movie takes far too long to even reach the main crime. Instead of building tension, the early portions feel slow and stretched.Character establishment works well for Biju Menon, but not for Joju George, despite his good performance. Too much time is spent on unnecessary family scenes, which feel preachy and slow the film down, making the buildup to the crime dull instead of engaging.By the interval, the film promises a faster, more exciting turn - but the writing doesn't deliver. The second half turns into a revenge-based cat-and-mouse game set mostly in a police station, but the situations and police conversations feel unrealistic and awkward.The casting of the antagonist characters also feels like a mistake. When the mystery is finally revealed in the climax, it is presented in a puzzle-like style mixed with a biblical touch. It feels underwhelming and lacks impact.Overall, the film is a failed and lazy attempt at a crime drama, with slow pacing, overwritten drama, and weak suspense elements.
★ 1 / 10
Absolute dogwater
Pseudo-intellectual story meets TV serial music, compounded by abysmal acting from all actors, both renowned and fresh. The movie punishes you for paying…
Pseudo-intellectual story meets TV serial music, compounded by abysmal acting from all actors, both renowned and fresh. The movie punishes you for paying attention and following along to what little semblance of logic the plot flaunted. Stop employing the christian angle for bad punchlines. Other directors learnt from your formula for drishyam and moved on, so can you. Nothing about this film was cohesive. Bad acting here clearly stemmed from bad penmanship and directing. Jeethu joseph doesn't show promise for drishyam 3. Stay away from his future projects, no matter the firepower he brings with his cast. Clear waste of talent from biju menon and joju george, even lenaa. Rape, family, drugs and the law/police are overdone themes in mollywood right now, so drop them if you have nothing relevant and meaningful to add to the conversation that's not already been said. You're losing today's youth with bad representation. Grow up.
★ 8 / 10
An emotional crime thriller ride powered by Biju Menon and Joju George's stellar performances.
After Memories, director Jeethu Joseph, along with writer Dinu Thomas Eelan, takes the audience on an emotionally driven crime thriller journey, backed by…
After Memories, director Jeethu Joseph, along with writer Dinu Thomas Eelan, takes the audience on an emotionally driven crime thriller journey, backed by balanced storytelling and clap-worthy performances from the lead actors.The film effectively establishes the character traits of CI Antony Xavier (Biju Menon) and Samuel Joseph (Joju George) in the initial phase. The narrative shifts gears and enters mystery mode when Samuel registers his daughter's disappearance at Antony's police station.The tone gradually intensifies as we witness Antony's grey shades surfacing during the investigation, and how Samuel begins to counterattack those morally questionable methods.The interval block is engaging, leaving viewers intrigued and eagerly anticipating the second half. As the latter half unfolds, the story turns into a puzzle game where Antony is forced to unlock door after door to reach the truth and his ultimate destination.PositivesThe biggest strength of the film lies in the standout performances of Biju Menon and Joju George.Antony, with his rigid, selfish, and rough exterior, is initially easy to dislike. However, as the puzzle unravels in the second half, we witness his gradual emotional breakdown. Towards the climax, the film reveals the vulnerable side of such hardened individuals - a transformation seamlessly portrayed by Biju Menon.On the other hand, Joju George's Samuel begins with a lovable aura, but his character progression later evokes sympathy and admiration. Samuel is portrayed as a man of few words, yet his emotions speak volumes through his eyes and expressions - something Joju delivers with sheer brilliance.Jeethu Joseph once again employs his trademark twist formula without going overboard, successfully keeping the audience engaged.Technical HighlightsSatheesh Kurup's cinematography enhances the film's dark atmosphere.V. S. Vinayak's sharp editing ensures a tight narrative pace.Vishnu Shyam's background score amplifies the emotional and suspenseful beats.The dark-toned color grading complements the film's overall mood perfectly.Final Verdict
With strong performances, an engaging mystery structure, and solid technical execution, Valathu Vashathe Kallan (The Thief to the Right) proves to be a one-time watchable emotional crime thriller.
93%
AUDIENCE
6.2/10
3.2K
