Cast: Nivin Pauly, Mamitha Baiju, Sangeeth Prathap, Suresh Krishna, Shyam Mohan, Vinay Forrt, Srinda
Crew:
Written by Girish A. D., Kiran Josey
Music by Vishnu Vijay
Edited by Akash Joseph Varghese
Cinematography by Ajmal Sabu
Directed by Girish A. D.
Produced by Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, Syam Pushkaran
Nivin Pauly has returned to romantic comedy genre with Sarvam Maya and then, his older films released that did not work at the box office. Still, the expectations from his Onam release Bethelehem Kudumba Unit directed by Premalu fame Girish AD. Mamitha Baiju being cast as his romantic interest in an age-gap love story also created huge buzz. Let's discuss about the film in detail.
Plot:
Ashley (Mamitha Baiju) arrives back to her house from Ireland. She looks around for neighbour Justin (Nivin Pauly). The story goes back to one and a half year, revealing how Ashley's family shifted into the neighbourhood from her village. She is a bass player in a band named Room 17. Justin doesn't want to get hitched and he is more helpful to everyone in the neighbourhood. Ashley falls for his charm but can they both fall in love? Can they accept the differences with age-gap? Watch the movie to know more.
Analysis:
Nivin Pauly is at his absolute charming best. His reactions and screen presence add more life to the character. He is in character from start to finish and we believe he is Justin by the end. Mamitha Baiju surprises yet again with her versatility and she is also apt for Ashley. Her chemistry with Nivin is so beautiful that the age gap doesn't matter. All others are also good.
Girish AD is again in form like he was for Premalu. He tries to take inspiration from real life incidents and real life moments and present them with the same magic. His characters and dialogues are relatable from beginning to the end. But in the second hour rather than main characters' story Joel's story take over and there writing could have been much better.
Still, climax and interval are so heartwarming that they capture the love experienced by the characters with great detail and magical lens. The movie works big time as every character feels like a part of extended family from neighborhood rather than alienated and created specifically for this story. This is the biggest highlight of the film.
Vishnu Vijay's music works big time. BGM and songs enhance the story and feel rather than being a separate entity. Cinematography is good and Interval, climax are beautifully captured while every frame adds to the feel of the film. Editing is good in the first hour but second hour especially, pre-climax could have been better. Bethelehem Kudumba Unit is a film to be experienced and an easy watch.
Positives:
Nivin Pauly's charm
Mamitha Baiju performance
Relatability in scenes
Music is good
Technical values are excellent
Humor works big time
Negatives:
Second hour could've been better
More moments between lead pair could've been better
Pre-climax drag
Bottomline:
Bethelehem Kudumba Unit is a good movie that everyone can easily watch.
Rating: 3/5
Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this review are personal views/opinions shared by the writer and organisation does not hold a liability to them. Viewers' discretion is advised before reacting to them.
