222. Neelavelicham; movie review

 

NEELAVELICHAM

Cert 12A

132 mins

BBFC advice: Contains moderate threat, violence, suicide references

Neither a conventional horror, supernatural thriller nor romance, Neelavelicham doesn't fit any category but, in my opinion, it works.

But it was a risk - the movie is adapted from a beloved short story by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer which was adapted into the hugely successful Bhargavi Nilayam in 1964.

The new version didn't do well at the box office but I hope it picks up more ground on streaming services because I was rapt in this usual but well-executed tale.

It stars Tovino Thomas as a writer who spends his last money on hiring a rundown seaside house, unaware of its background.

As soon as he reveals where he is staying, the locals take two fearful paces back and tell him how his accommodation became haunted.

But, instead of being run out of town by the story, it inspires him to write about the ghost (Rima Kallingal) who is said to have killed herself after the disappearance of her true love (Roshan Mathew).

What he discovers, amid some supernatural bumps in the night, is a completely different reality.

Neelavelicham looks good - Thalassery is an intoxicating location and the movie's leads are attractive and empathetic.

Intriguingly, it is a horror of sorts but there aren't any jumps despite being a bit creepy in parts.

Instead, it relies more on storytelling with some neat twists as the writer gets to the bottom of his holiday home's past.

For this reason, despite it lacking as much spark as many supernatural thrillers, I rather liked Aashiq Abu's movie.

Reasons to watch: Curious supernatural thriller

Reasons to avoid: Doesn't show much fire

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Beloved Malayalam writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer's short story is only 12 pages long yet it has been passed on through generations.

The final word: Rima Kallingal: "Basheer is every single Malayali's very own writer and there was no scope to go wrong. We had to ensure that we didn’t disappoint a whole generation of moviegoers and people who treat his literature with respect." Onmanorama

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