BOTTOM LINE
Police Brutality Story With a New Twist
PLATFORM
SONY LIV
RUNTIME
136 Minutes
What Is the Film About?
Varghese, a laidback youngster in his twenties, is in a steady relationship with his girlfriend Nancy, but is yet to land a job. When he miraculously bags an offer to work as a police constable, he remains reluctant to join. Amidst pressure, he goes ahead and finds an able mentor in a senior officer, Basheer. However, things go south when he’s deputed to the Cheeyambam land protest site.
Performances
In stark contrast to his cop avatars in Anweshippin Kandethum and Kalki, Tovino Thomas’s choice to play an underdog constable with a conscience helps one explore his vulnerable side as an actor adeptly, portraying Varghese’s internal and external battles. Suraj Venjaramoodu, though featuring in a crucial role, is underutilised, and the subplot could’ve been stronger.
It’s Cheran who goes all guns blazing in a clear-cut instance of anti-stereotyping; the decision pays off exceedingly well, and the impact stays long after the film’s over. The supporting cast is solid, comprising Arya Salim, Pranav Teophine, and Prasanth Madhavan, while Priyamvada Krishnan is only offered a minimal scope to shine (yet the integrity of her character comes through).
Analysis
Narivetta is what you could ideally label as a coming-of-age cop saga, in which a newly appointed constable discovers his purpose in life in the middle of a crisis. Inspired by real incidents in Kerala, the film, through the evolution of a youngster, casts light on police brutality in a seemingly peaceful protest site where tribals are fighting against the government for their land rights.
The film starts on a mysterious note, offering a few glimpses of its trajectory. Varghese is in trouble, confronting powers above him. A parallel subplot centres around the mundane realities in the lives of the tribals. How do their paths merge? The tale, across multiple flashbacks, traces Varghese’s journey, professional and personal, his fight for the right cause, even if it costs him his job.
The far-from-compelling first hour of Narivetta introduces the worlds of its pivotal characters and is relatively lighter. Though it establishes Varghese’s vulnerability effectively, the portions dealing with the romance and family situation are too banal to be engaging. Until the film truly becomes about his work and the intricacies of the tribal land battle, it struggles to find its rhythm.
When Varghese charges out to beat up an Adivasi in the protest, he’s refreshingly put in his place and asked to channel his anger; it isn’t a tool to depict his heroic feats. The heart of the story unfolds post-intermission when he comes face-to-face with the moral dilemmas in the police force. Like most Malayalam films, it is unflinchingly political, not mincing words while standing up for the underdog.
In addition to being Varghese’s story, Narivetta is a crucial document on the politicisation of protest sites, where the powers that be misuse their authority, sometimes at the price of human lives. The choice to depict it through a young constable is smart, for he’s more in touch with his humane side (unlike his cold superiors) and isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade.
While Narivetta remains a significantly gripping film (especially the second half) and discusses a gamut of pressing social issues, one wishes it did more to keep you emotionally invested. The bond between Varghese and Basheer feels underdeveloped, and the sub-plot involving the girl child and the protestors is well-intentioned on paper, but not developed to the best capacity in its execution.
In the final act, the creative choice to portray Nancy as the wind beneath Varghese’s wings is impressive, reaffirming his priorities and acknowledging his activism. The film mirrors the (internal and external) chaos in the protagonist’s mind and the on-field battle with poise. The casting decisions also lend credibility to the narrative, from Cheran to Pranav Teophine and Arya Salim.
Narivetta isn’t your typical cop saga with an external villain; it’s about the demons within the system and how truth inevitably finds its way through a messenger, despite the best efforts to submerge it. Where is Varghese’s future headed? Well, it doesn’t matter, for his heart is in the right place. Despite a few bumps, the film merits a viewing for its humane approach to the story, performances, and neat storytelling.
Music and Other Departments?
Jakes Bejoy keeps the intensity of the story intact through an impactful score, and the album too has a handful of catchy numbers – Minnalvala, the promo song Vaada Veda and Maayum Maayum, to name a few. The editing and cinematography, especially in the confrontation sequences in the second half, truly elevate the viewing experience. The writers could’ve done more to ensure a sharper first half, while the film only keeps getting better with time.
Highlights?
Solid Second Half
Good Performances, Unique Premise
Technically Impressive
Drawbacks?
Weak First Half
Lacks a Strong Emotional Impact
Few Underwhelming Subplots, Character Arcs
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, mostly
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, but hang on in the first half to relish it fully
Narivetta OTT Movie Review by M9
