Neerali review: survival of the ‘fittest’

In Mohanlal’s Neerali, the protagonist refers to movies like Buried and Cast Away in which characters escape after being stuck in tragic situations.

Director Ajoy Varma is probably treading the same path.

Gemologist Sunny George (Mohanlal), the protagonist, is awaiting the delivery of his wife Mollykutty (Nadia Moidu). On learning that his wife has been admitted to hospital, Sunny decides to travel from his workplace to hometown -- from Bangalore to Kozhikode. For this, he joins Veerappan aka Veeru (Suraj Venjaramoodu) who is on a mission to carry gems.

On their journey, they encounter a horrific accident where the duo faces a life-and-death situation.

The first half of the movie moves at a brilliant pace juxtaposing the past and the present.

With terrific VFX, scintillating background score and roping in a snake’s arrival as a pointer to the lurking dangers, the interval is bangon.

Though the first half is in toto above average, it sets the anticipation of the second too high.

And as the movie progresses to the climax, viewers may perhaps miss the ‘wow’ moments in the beginning. Perhaps, a little characterization could have given more life to the plot.

We get to see a glimpse of Dileesh Pothen and his gang in the movie, but a clear picture of their roles do not emerge.

Veteran actor Nasser makes an appearance, but we wish if he stayed for little more time. The script seems protruded at some junctures. Parvathy Nair and Nadia Moidu are part of the thriller to give an emotional appeal to the film. A few comical scenes here and there light up the mood, but as is his wont, it is Mohanlal who carries the film throughout.

The amazing array of visuals is the major highlight of the movie and undoubtedly Neerali is a winner for its cinematography.

When it comes to music, there were just two songs. The BGM was aptly set to create the mood of the thriller and it managed to justify that aspect.

The movie started off in its opening shot with a bee buzzing around Mohanlal and ends with the same bee buzzing around him and leaving. And Neerali, the movie, came and left in a haste.