Memories a Must Watch .. An excellent thriller which do thrills. A late review.......

[xeon]

Movie: Memories . (watching for the second time)
Tag line : 'An episode in the life of a police officer'
Prithviraj is 'Sam Alex'
Genre : Thriller, Drama, Psychic Thriller



Theater : Padhmanabha, Punalur (not the tvm one)
Status : An ‘OK’ status for a movie past 2 weeks lacking Mohan Lal or Mammootty on board and a matinee too.

Here We Go !

Walking into the Cinema Hall to watch an experienced movie is no way exiting, unless the movie has our favorite stars sharing the screen. In my case, no such star whom I worship was there on screen to make me return to the silver screen for a repeat. It was the holistic excellence of the movie which made me to watch the ‘thrilling’ thriller or a ‘gripping thriller’ (that what forum Kerala defines the picture) once again .

Movie Begins!

The movie Kick starts with a flash back in a smart way, portraying a heroic task of Kerala police headed by Sam Alex (Prithviraj) to rescue a person in hostile. The sequence was fashionable and believable. The most buzz and beauty of the scene came from its background song… A beautiful western melody…………….
In a usual classic style of screening the words ‘After 3 Years’ the movie focus to the present. Opening with a mysterious kill scene, the movie exhorts its genre as a crime thriller. Subsequent to the murder another homicide happens. Both the murders were Cold Blooded, brutal jobs. A lot of similarities were found in between them and the police suspect a serial killer to be out there. But the police fails big time to make any convincing progress. Thus the IG (Vijayaraghavan) of police was obligatory to find some brilliant officer to conclude the case with a success.

On the other hand, the condition of Sam Alex is now pity . He is a 24 X 7drunkard at this time and almost in the verge of alcoholism. He is the ardent son of his mother and a bad brother to his sibling who hates him. The director gives us a clear picture of his present life, his family and emotions he is in with. Speaking on Prithviraj’s character, it does make you remember the great veteran “Mohan Lal’s powerful characters in his blockbusters ‘Grand Master’ and ‘Spirit’. Sam Alex wakes up with alcohol and sleeps with alcohol. Always drunk, roaming here and there, lurching, making unwanted frictions with people and totally out of mind. In other words, “Sam Alex is a hopeless man with a dark past”. Sam Alex has lost his family. His true half and little girl was brutally murdered by an accused. The memories of that dreadful event make him find resort in alcohol to alleviate the mental pain. Quite often he gets haunted by those memories which were shown on screen in sepia mode.

Back into the investigation, IG goes to Sam’s home to convince him back into service to investigate the prestigious crime scene, but fails to persuade Sam to shoulder the stars again. As a godfather to Sam, IG never lost hope and plead Sam’s mother to convince him. His mother was so happy to serve IG for; she always wanted his son to change his routines. With a mother’s love and strength she at last convinces Sam to walk into the police workplace. Thus Sam Alexander, the once ‘brilliant and efficient police officer’’, was put into the investigation again, but this time it was unofficial.
At the moment of Sam’s entry, the investigation was in the hands of another officer (Suresh Krishna). This leads to some friction in the interior police affairs and the story develops into an investigative thriller…..

On The Movie.

The first half of the movie was packed with emotions, sentiments, pride, family business and some scenes of cold blooded murders. As the movie ticks, the scenes get changed. When the first half feels a little drag, the later half is speedy, slick and thrilling to the core. It was evident of confident story telling backed by a strong, unprecedented screen play. A lot of twists and turns intrude to make the spectators thrilled and exited. The making of the movie was as trendy as a Hollywood flick. In a restricted budget and indigenous talents, Jeethu Joseph the maker succeeded in adding some reasonable effects to the movie, which made the film a little more appealing. The most beautiful scene I experienced was the frames portraying Sam chasing the Villain in rain.

On Prithviraj.

It took more than ten years and 65 + movies for the young thespian to invent his own talents and understand what audience expects from him. Being the Son of a veteran actor, ‘Prithviraj Sukumaran’ is blessed with inborn talents. In this movie he was just awesome. If someone ask me what is Prithviraj now? Then without thinking twice, I will answer, “Prithviraj Sukumaran is now a grown actor who had proved his talents and is intelligent enough to select ideal scripts”. The character of Sam Alex was safe in the hands of the young talent. With great control and self-belief Prithvi underplayed the character. But somewhere in some emotional scenes, I felt him losing his grip. But he is now a superior and qualified actor poles apart from his old Masala style or half baked gimmicks.

About the Director.

Jeethu Joseph surprised me big time!! I can’t believe the crap Mummy and me and a comic stuff My Boss were from a director of such talents. Hats off! “Mr. Jeethu you were awesome as a director”. Great shots, great supervision and flawless make you gifted. “A perfect blend of Talent and Tech mind”.

Finally.

Memories is such a nice movie to watch alone, with your friends or family. It will engage you and make you experience a taut thriller. It’s a great welcome change in Malayalam film industry.

Verdict :

4/5 .

Bottom Line: “Grab your popcorn and watch the taut thriller packed with realistic plots and lives “

NB : This movie is not for them who loves the old fashioned Masala and mediocre melodramas.

One more thing : I expected Prithviraj walking in in a gorgeous style in his Khakis at least at the end. But no it never happened . Jeethu Joseph made everything in suspense. So why the Khaki to be exempted"



Sorry for the late review.

[Don Mathew]

Thanks macha.....

[jeeva]

thanks xenon.........

[xeon]

Thanx every one

[Viru]

Thanx bhaii,Good write up

Repped

[AnWaR]

excellent review bhai... repped....

[Raju]

Excellent narrative Thanks

[solomon joseph]

Good review bhai... Repped..

[xeon]

Thank you all for your supports flavored with love.....

[krishnaranni]

thanks xeon