Kurup

Kurup (2021) : Brief Review -

An ugly story told beautifully. Dulquer conquers everything possible in this gripping tale of mastermind criminal. When it comes to gangster films, I always have one star reduced from the final rating already. These stories may entertain you sometimes they don't even to that, I have that specific hatred (deserving, i believe) for such films. I have bashed many known Hollywood classics for the same reason. Kurup didn't work there for me because the story isn't really important enough to be told. What do you gain by telling such stories? What do you learn from it? Nothing. That's why I have that specific hatred in my mind. On the other side, I love watching films that have motives, that teaches you something. Ustad Hotel was one such Dulquer Film, even Kaarwaan and so many others. Well, Kurup really isn't a bad film, it's a great one. It's just that I don't like to watch the stories led by negative people. Hardly few of them, i mean such films, have impressed me. This one is based on the life of wanted criminal Sukumara Kurup, a classic criminal. True Mastermind. Srinath Rajendran's impeccable direction makes his story look interesting. His skilful methods to handle a simple story have made this one special. The only problem I found was the pacing in the first half. It takes too much time to show the generous side of that character when you already know he is not that kind of person. That's where you even predict the climax which was supposed to be a shock, but does not remain a secret. Dulquer Salmaan is phenomenal as Kurup/GK. That style, attitude and his looks everything is perfect. Rest of the cast is good too. Kurup has very simple dialogues, that hurts because gangster films are known for some dhaansu dialogues. Overall, a very good film and surely recommendable for the performances and direction, if not for story.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest_

Kurup is classy. Kurup is tremendously cinematic rather a true story. Kurup is worth the wait. Kurup is fine with me though I avoid regional movies. Not a documentary style of story telling as some of the fans anticipated. The first half would have been reduced by 25 mins. Second portion is fast paced, well directed and acted by all nicely.

Only one glitch. If you ask me how to pronounce Cheriyanad it will be 'Chernaad' and majority of the locals and family call it "Chernaad" and not Cheriyanad as the writer/director stuck with correct written pronunciation which is not natural. Some sequences in Air Force part is exaggerated and ill conceived.

Also the head of the investigative officers did a tremendous job of trying to nab the real culprit. Then in 1984 till 2005 was a well known figure of the family which the director or the research team is missing or they refused to show it in the film.

There is a scope for a sequel and I call it Alaxander!

So many characters missing. Neither detail about Suresh Kurup who is brother of GK nor the whereabouts of GK's family (wife& kids) after the incident is missing!!

DQ did a tremendous job as a producer and main actor so is Shine who was depicted more of a villain than GK of real story.

Also the murder, investigation and subsequent media frenzy on the family took place when we were just 16. That's almost 38 years ago.

Go and watch it if you missed theatre for two long years👍🏻🙏🏻

Background scores and sound engineering of the movie has been exceptional, albeit allegedly inspired from hollywood originals. Keeping that judgement aside, Sushin Shyam has done top notch work in the sound space. The songs are also good.

Cinematically, the movie scores on multiple fronts. Color grading is excellent. Period set designs have been nicely done. Costumes have been good. Cinematography has been excellent. At the start of the movie, there were a few jerky edits but did not feel any further issues after the titles rolled in. Title work has also been good.

Dulqar's screen presence has been great while the performances of pretty much all the actors have been flawless. Shine Tom Chacko's performance stands out for the convincing portrayal of a deranged.

There are a few points where the director's earlier movie "Second Show" plays in.

Writing has been pretty good. The structure has been carefully built out and makes for an entertaining watch from a story line perspective. A slow burner, the story draws you in nicely and takes you to nice twists. The script does not blow your mind - but nicely done. To some extent, a predictable line.

Making scores over the script.

The movie is a stylish anti-hero slow burner best enjoyed in a theatre.

Script - 7/10 Direction - 8/10 Acting - 8/10 Cinematography - 9/10 Bgm -10/10

A good entertainer that is a one time watch. Its nothing close to a "masterpiece" or a "cult classic" as the advertisers and the teen kids want you to believe. And its nothing close to a third rate movie as some degraders want you to believe.

As far as the story is concerned its a mix of realilty and fiction. Anyway the overall outline of the story is around 70% real. Do we get to the real Kurup? To some extent, yes we do.

The romantic song is really good. It gets better with each time you listen. The background music is "cult" level. In fact the BGM did a great role in hiding the imperfections in Script and Direction.

The lead lady did a fine job along with Shine Tom Chacko and Indrajith. Dulquer act was the usual, nothing out of box. He still has to go beyond his comfort zone. That doesnt mean he hasnt got his charms. Boy, the guy is extra charming. All I say is he has miles to go ahead in terms of acting.

The pre release over-advertisement of the movie will create many expectations for the audience. So it wouldn't be a surprise if this movie would get mixed reviews.

Overall verdict - A good entertainer for 170rs.

Movie making is very good Technically very sound. But first half lags big time until the pre-interval ,The neo noir sceenplay didn't help much but rather its confusing to many. Second half is racy , finishes in no time with more commercial appeal to it. Its a good watch on the whole but if the makers have more concentrated in screenplay of first half with little more detailing with case rather than his love interest it would have been a great watch.