Movie Review | 'Nalla Nilavulla Rathri' Is A Survival Drama With High Violence Quotients
'Nalla Nilavulla Ratri' marks Sandra Thomas' return as producer after six years. Directed by Murphy Devasi, the film is a survival drama with the trappings of a classic crime movie. About six friends meet at an estate in Karnataka for an affair.
Kurian (played by Baburaj) is a man from Dubai who mortgages his land in Shimoga to a crafty moneylender (Sai Kumar). Corinne schemes to pay off his debts by conning his misguided friends. But one of them died after reaching the hut. Since the story is set in an all men's territory filled with vile characters, fistfights and brawls are the order of the day.
Although Nalla Nilavulla Ratri is a survival drama, it leans towards the violent genre, but without the subtlety common in such films. This is not a movie for the faint of heart. The plot of the movie is interesting and will captivate the audience, but the violence may turn you off.
The second half of the movie is devoted to what happens inside the bungalow. Everyone becomes suspects, like Gito Joseph's mystery thriller The 12th Man. While we await the beneficial outcome, the movie takes a drastic turn.
Sandra Thomas recently admitted that the characters are gray, but Peter (Ronnie David) manages to evoke sympathy. All the actors have delivered exciting roles in this fast paced action thriller. Chimpan Vinod as Irumba threatens and hijacks Gino Joseph the show as a man who doesn't stick to his friends.
The master class is very commendable. The highlight of the film is the song "Thanaru Thanaru" composed by Kailash. It takes the essence of the song 'Bharanipattu' which is usually sung during the Bharani festival in Kodungallur, but of course with purifying lyrics. But the colorful mood of the song is completely at odds with the flow of the picture.
Ajay David Kachapilly did some tough shots as the story takes place mostly at night. Had the makers reduced the violence and focused more on crafting a compelling story, 'Nala Nilavulla Ratri' would have been better to watch.
