Sookshmadarshini - Love thy nosy neighbour

Sookshmadarshini

Malayalam - Drama / Comedy

144 mins

Disney + Hotstar

I had just finished watching Kishkinda Kaandam in early December, when Sookshmadarshini opened in theatres to rave reviews. The theme of a nosy neighbour, finding something seemingly "fishy" has been depicted many times and in different ways after Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window , (one of my all time favourites), first brought it on screen. 

Priya (Nazriya) lives with her daughter and husband in a close knit neighbourhood. Everyone knows everyone and nothing escapes the local ladies' Whatsapp group. Manuel (Basil Joseph), who runs a family owned bakery, moves into the Bungalow next door to Priya, with his ailing mother. Soon enough, Manuel integrates with the community, who also become aware of his mother's Alzheimer's condition.

One night when Priya invites everyone over to her home for her wedding anniversary celebration, there is a fire in Manuel's home and his mother goes missing. Priya cannot overcome her intuition and wants to dig deeper! With the help of two other ladies Sulu and Asma, she investigates the disappearance. 

Nazriya, back into films after a while, is very good in a part tailor made for her. She has always been comfortable with the sweet, caring and charming parts. Here she is equally impressive as a gutsy, yet vulnerable Miss Marple! Basil Joseph plays a part quite similar to the MCP from Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, differentiated by the character's amazing restraint . A special mention to Sidharth Bharathan (as John, a UK returned Doctor, cousin of Manuel) who is hoot whenever he appears on screen.

The movie is very well written by Athul Ramachandran and Libin T.B and smartly directed by MC Jithin. Together they throw in plenty of red herrings, leading you along a familiar path before they push you over the edge! Fairly well paced, editing is largely good, a few scenes in the first 1/3rd could have been left at the table, to make the film more taut. 

With relatable characters, everyday situations infused with modern themes, solid writing weaving humor into tense sequences and competent performances by the leads, we have another extremely engaging film from Malayalam cinema's creatively golden year!