Anweshippin Kandethum movie review: Tovino Thomas film is engaging, but artificial at times

Upon Anand Narayanan’s (Tovino) arrival as the new SI at the Chingavanam police station, a case involving a missing young woman emerges. During the probe, Anand and his team discover her body dumped in a well. However, their investigation is hindered by tensions within the local Christian community, particularly when they attempt to enter the local monastery and question the priest. The situation escalates when superior officers intervene, altering the direction of the investigation for their own motives. Undeterred, Anand conducts his own unofficial investigation, uncovering revelations that heighten the tensions further. However, this initiative results in consequences, with Anand and three others being suspended from duty.

Despite setbacks, they are reinstated months later, tasked with a seemingly “low-priority” murder case of a young woman killed six years earlier. While authorities aim to swiftly conclude the investigation, Anand remains determined to uncover the truth, even amidst resistance from within the force and the locals.

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As a matter of fact, Anweshippin Kandethum pretty much offers two movies/stories/episodes within its runtime, where the only common factors are the cops at the centre of the narrative, much like an anthology series.

The film, at its start itself, grips the audiences with suspense before transitioning into a flashback that reveals the events leading up to the opening scene. The movie adeptly captures its era with meticulous attention to detail, thanks to Mohandas’ exceptional production design. Despite occasional fluctuations in pacing, writer Jinu Abraham succeeds in maintaining viewer engagement by involving them in the investigation, essentially making them silent members of the probe team.

However, as Anweshippin Kandethum progresses, the less edge-of-the-seat moments start to feel artificial, detracting from the overall experience, and this only worsens as we move forward. While the deliberate pace of the dialogue delivery evokes nostalgia for ’80s and ’90s cinema, the lines often seem forced and lack a natural flow and this becomes irksome during conversations between two or more characters. Although the era is already well-established visually, the additional emphasis on reinforcing it through dialogue, whether intentional or not, proves counterproductive at various points. The overt use of a yellow tint, again to establish the era, too has significantly diminished the quality of the viewing experience.

Furthermore, the film’s attempts to divert viewer attention to a false suspect to later reveal the actual culprit, while effective initially, lose impact upon repetition. Given the predictability of this tactic, its effectiveness diminishes in the subsequent instance, ultimately undermining the suspense it aims to create.

Though the film features quite a few characters, aside from Anand to some extent, none of them unfortunately possess much depth or arcs. They come and go without leaving a lasting impression as if crafted in a superficial manner.

Nevertheless, director Darwin and writer Jinu manage to ensure that they don’t lose viewers’ attention at any point, as the film seldom deviates its focus from the crimes by introducing unnecessary drama. They also deserve credit for not portraying Anand as a flawless super cop who effortlessly/conveniently solves every problem. Instead, Anand is depicted as a vulnerable newcomer to the force who refuses to give up despite facing setbacks and backstabbing.

While Anand doesn’t provide him with much opportunity to showcase his acting skills, Tovino Thomas ensures that he stays true to the character throughout. The actor excels in portraying Anand’s body language distinctively from his previous cop roles and adds a layer of restraint as demanded by the narrative. Thespians Siddique, Indrans, Baburaj, Pramod Velliyanad, Rahul Rajagopal and other supporting actors also play their part well.

Apart from production designer Mohandas, credit is also due to cinematographer Girish Gangadharan for creating a visually captivating world that transports viewers to a bygone era. Saiju Sreedharan’s editing enhances the visuals and maintains a natural flow, fitting for a murder mystery.

Anweshippin Kandethum movie cast: Tovino Thomas, Siddique, Indrans, Shammi Thilakan, Baburaj
Anweshippin Kandethum movie director: Darwin Kuriakose
Anweshippin Kandethum movie rating: 2.5 stars