5 Sundarikal

My Review: 5 Sundarikal

"5 Sundarikal" is an anthology film consisting of 5 short stories with the common thread being the focus on a female character in each of these stories. Each of these stories are different in the subject matter, making style, treatment and production. Hence it would be unfair to review and rate the movie as a whole. So I have tried to review the movie by each segment so that it is easier for the reviewer as well as for the readers to decipher about what the movie is all about. 

"Sethulakshmi" : 

This is the first segment and by far the best of all the five ones. Even now when I have a glance at the still below, there is a feeling of unease and churning sensation in the stomach. The innocent smile on the face of Sethulakshmi ( enacted brilliantly by Anika) as the camera zooms on to that smiling face towards the last few shots of this segment would haunt you for long. 

This segment is based on the short story "Photo"by M.Mukundan, script for which is written by Shyam Puskar and Muneer Ali and directed by Shyju Khalid. It focuses on a socially relevant yet hushed up subject in a hard hitting manner. The beauty of this segment is the simplicity in which the makers have gone about things. By far the simplest in making style of all the five segments it ends up being the most memorable of all too. Alby is the cinematographer of this segment and he has captured the innocence of childhood and the malevolence of adulthood in a telling manner. 

The understanding that the writers and director have on the subject matter is evident in many nuances that one can appreciate on screen. The feeling of insecurity in the young mind after such a traumatic experience shown by the few shots of Sethulakhsmi getting up in the middle of the night and trying to lie in between her parents, trying to catch hold of her father's hands when going to her school by cycle, etc. 

Anika has come up with one of the most haunting performance by a child artist in recent times. She is so natural and seamless in her acting that belies her age. Among the dozen of actors that the movie showcases she manages to stay in one's memory long after the movie is over. Guru Somasundaram is also brilliant as the vile photographer, manages to earn the wrath of the viewers instantaneously which shows the caliber of his performance. Chetan the other child artiste has also done his part well.  

On the whole, "Sethulakshmi" would have swept all the short film awards if it was released as an independent short film. 

Bottomline: Respect.

4.5/5 

"Kullante Bharya ": 

Based on the Chinese short story, "The Tall Woman and Her Short Husband" by Feng Jicai, "Kullante Bharya" is another telling commentary on the societal bigotry. Scripted by Unni R and directed by Amal Neerad, this segment focuses on how a couple is subjected to pointless gossip and ridicule just because the wife is taller than the husband, through the eyes of the protagonist (Dulquer Salman) who is wheel-chair bound recuperating from an orthopedic surgery. 

How society is unabashedly hypocritical and sanctimonious is beautifully conveyed through the motley group of people who inhabitate the residential colony. How they are judgmental and Pharisaical by jumping to conclusions and ostracize the couple as soon as they get the opportunity to do so reveal a thing or two about society that we live in and makes one introspect.   

Reenu Matthew and Jinu Ben again haunt the viewers with their heart-rending smile. The final shot of the segment is yet another haunting piece of work and would move anyone to tears. Dulquer Salman is adequate while everyone in the cast have done their job sincerely. 

Ranadive's camera captures the rainy days of the small colony beautifully. With good background score, "Kullante Bharya" is the second best segment of the anthology.

Bottomline: Moving.

4/5

"Gowri" : 

Written by Amal Neerad and Abhilash Kumar, Aashiq Abu's "Gowri" is what one would expect something but end up getting something different and better. What starts of as a cross-sectional glimpse of a couple's life who have got married against their parents' wishes since they belong to different religious affiliation turn interesting half way through when Gowri is left with a treasure hunt by her husband on the day of their marriage anniversary. What happens from then on is a chilling tale of suspense that needs to be seen on screen. 

Kavya Madhavan is good as the wife who is expecting the unexpected. Biju Menon, Tini Tom, Rimi Tomy and Jayasurya leave their mark in the short time they are on screen. What makes this segment special is the musical score which fills up most part of the screen space. Rajeev Ravi, the cinematographer shows his class with the lighting inside the house where Kavya spends her time lonely expecting her husband to turn up. 

Bottomline: Soothing with a jolt in the end.

3.5/5

"Aami": 

Now starts the weaker links of the anthology. Anwar Rashid's "Aami" written by Hashir Muhammad starring Fahad Fazil, Honey Rose and Asmitha Sood is undone by loss of focus. They have tried to pack in so many things in the stipulated time slot as a result of which the story meanders into too many subplots with sum of the parts not adding up in the end. 

Fahad Fazil is once again good in his part. Honey Rose is getting typecast though her work cannot be faulted. Asmitha Sood has nothing much to do, her dubbing artiste has done more work than Asmitha herself. 

   Amal Neerad's cinematography elevates this average segment. What could have been an interesting and simple story between husband and wife with a slight detour in between has got convoluted in the end by some overzealous writing. 

On the whole, "Aami" is a curious case how things could have been better with little bit of discretion on the part of the writer.

Bottomline: Lacking in focus.

2.5/5 

"Esha":

Coming on to the least interesting and most predictable of the five segments "Esha", written by Sidharth Bharathan and directed by Sameer Tahir. Main drawback at the outset is the casting. Isha Sharvani looks totally out of place and lacks nativity. Secondly the story is easily predictable right from the time Esha starts flirting with the thief without raising alarm, giving clues about all the valuable things in the house all along. Hence when the final twist comes about there is no surprise element in it. 

Nivin Pauly looks jaded and disinterested in his part as the thief who gets conned by someone unexpected. Isha as I said earlier looks outlandish and doesn't seem to be knowing even the basics about what acting is all about. A case of very bad casting. 

 Shyju Khalid is the real hero of the movie, who has shot this segment in a suave manner. Though the story takes place mostly with the confines of a bungalow, he has shot it so tastefully that it doesn't get monotonous. 

On the whole, "Esha" is all style and no substance.

Bottomline: Weakest link.

2/5