117. Abraham Ozler; movie review

 

ABRAHAM OZLER

Cert 15

143 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, threat, injury detail, suicide, drug misuse

My opinion of Midhun Manuel Thomas's Abraham Ozler swayed like a hammock in a storm.

It has a gripping opening which segue's into a sequence of mysterious killings but, for a while, it is doused by a heavy handed investigation.

However, its finale is unexpected and enthralling, despite leaving some unanswered questions.

My reaction shouldn't surprise those who have read damning reviews while the film has done some very sprightly box office business.

The contractions are wrapped up in Jayaram's title character who has more baggage than an airport reclaim carousel.

He is a senior police officer whose wife and child are kidnapped and murdered when he falsely called to a crime scene.

Years later he is suffering insomnia and depression but, rather surprisngly, leads an investigation when a patient is violently murdered in hiospital.

Every lead reaches a dead end until a killing with a very similar modus operandi happens in another medical facility.

Jayaram''s chracter is far from the conventional cop - occasionally he is distracted and unable to see a way to resolving the case.

But even when he believes he has fiund a way to prevent the pattern of killings continue, he is thwarted by a ncurve ball.

However, despite his lack of sleep causing hallucinations and the murders totting up, he remains the respected lead detective.

And then comes the startling finale which sets Abraham Ozler apart and I certainly hadn't seen coming.

Overall, while there are certain misgivings, I would say I was riveted for the large part despite so many unexpected tangents.

Reasons to watch: Intriguing thriller

Reasons to avoid: So many tangents

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? The film's lead character was named after the Canadian physician William Osler, regarded as the 'Father of Modern Medicine'.

The final word. Jayaram: "There’s this ‘new-gen’ cinema that’s making waves across the country and I wanted to be part of that too. With Ozler, I think I have been able to accomplish that and hopefully, other filmmakers too would notice that I could be considered for such roles in the future." OTT Play

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