Thalavan - Slightly Faulty but Gripping

 

Movie: Thalavan
Rating: 3.25/5

Cast:  Biju Menon, Asif Ali, Dileesh Pothan, Mia George, Anusree and Others

Director: Jis Joy

Produced By: Arun Narayan, Sijo Sebastian

Streaming on: Sony LIV

Story:

Karthik (Asif) is appointed the Sub-Inspector at the Chepannamthotta station, where Chief Inspector Jayasankar (Biju) serves as the Station House Officer. They do not share a good relationship as their egos get hurt even by the slightest issues affecting their professional relationship. The tension escalates further when Jayasankar becomes a suspect in the murder of a gangster's wife, prompting Karthik to take charge of the investigation. The narrative unfolds through a flashback recounted by Deputy Superintendent Udayan (Dileesh Pothen), who initially led the complex inquiry.

Performances:

Biju Menon and Asif Ali delivered commendable performances as hot-headed cops. Their natural portrayals of the characters enhanced their performances and the film's overall impact. Dileesh Pothan was good in a crucial role, while Mia George, Anushree, and others were perfect.

What worked for the film:

Directed and co-written by Jis Joy in collaboration with Sharath Perumbavoor and Anand Thevarkad, Thalavan has an exciting setup, and the narration is clear-cut and captivates the audience completely. Putting several characters/subplots and getting them involved with the main crime makes the proceedings interesting as the guessing game continues until the end. The change in the relationship between the lead characters and how they take on the ones who challenge them is shown effectively. Also, as said above, the solid performances by Biju Menon and Asif Ali add much depth to the character and narrative. 

What did not work for the film:

The film's pace has some occasional dips that sometimes behave like speed breakers. Also, after a point, the investigation shifts direction, becoming unnecessarily confusing as new suspects and circumstances are introduced alongside those from the initial phase. Furthermore, the climax, though having a stunning revelation, appears somewhat uneven and does not get in sync with the narrative flow.

Thalavan Review and Verdict:

Thalavan successfully captivates the audience from beginning to end thanks to solid performances, impressive visuals, and a well-structured screenplay for most of the parts. While the second half presents certain uninteresting parts and includes some familiar clichés, it remains a film that is certainly worth watching.