Arikil Oraal

My review: Arikil Oraal

"Arikil Oraal" is a well made suspense thriller built on an interesting premise. It is based on a mythological as well as a scientific phenomena of "doppelganger" where a person starts experiencing doubles of living persons. Whether Sunil Ibrahim has alluded to the mythological or the scientific interpretation is for you to see in the big screen but the execution of the same deserves kudos. 

It is a taut thriller which moves at an optimum pace that keeps you engaged for the two hours (107 minutes to be precise) it runs. Though the tag line goes "Its complicated" in actuality movie gets straightforward once the knot is untied in the end. Even up-till that point there is nothing that is complicated. Sunil has made a movie that keeps the suspense and leaves you thrilled though the presentation is forthright and uncomplicated. 

It is one of those movies where the writing with all the substance and juice is translated with aplomb on screen backed by wonderful casting, good performances and brilliant making. Though there are certain instances where the writer would have been better off if he had succeeded in wading off brief cliched moments but they are few and far in between.  On the whole, the movie looks fresh, engaging and entertaining all the same.

Indrajith is brilliant in an understated and restrained portrayal of Siddharth tormented by Nivin Pauly's double. It is praise-worthy all the more because there is ample scope for going over-the-top with histrionics at numerous occasions in the story but he has keeps it subtle. He comes to his own during the final moments of the movie. Nivin is good too with his mysterious characterization getting all the eyeballs throughout the narration. Not only Indrajith, even Nivin, for that matter almost all the characters with exception of Pratap Pothan have done their parts with great deal of restrain. Remya Nambeesan lends a neat support act though she doesn't have much to do. It is refreshing that the movie refrains itself from having a romantic angle in it though it has a female in between two guys in it. 

Gopi Sunder's music and background score is an added strength to the movie. He keeps up with the demands of the suspense and thrills of the narrative. Krish Kymal who has handled the cinematography is the man behind the rich look of the visuals. The making is grand and technically movie is classy.

On the whole, "Arikil Oraal" is a short, neat and taut suspense thriller that is thoroughly engaging and entertaining. 

Bottomline: An uncomplicated suspense thriller 

3.5/5