This is one of those films that make me appreciate it more and more as I think about it. Films related to issues surrounding dowry are nothing new in Malayalam cinema but the honesty, subtlety, and nuance this movie showed is truly outstanding. Initially, I was surprised to learn that the novella this is based on was named 4-5 Cheruppakkar, because if it is about dowry, why is the name talking about young men like that? But the movie really showed why it is, even though it's more about two men and a woman. The way the so-called culture of patriarchy that is so ingrained in society makes the evils of such a system a question of survival for the working-class people has never been portrayed with such honesty. All three main characters are incredibly written and performed. Even when Sajin Gopu's "villain" character is clearly doing something wrong, we are made to understand why a person who is proud of his hard work is resorting to it and also paints a picture of why he's living as an intimidating character to everyone.
Basil Joseph has been having great success as an actor in the last few years but this is one of his best performances. Ajesh's self-confidence is his desperation for survival, and however weird people may find it, this is the kind of character I always wanted to become. Have conviction in your decisions and go to any lengths for it even if everything looks impossible. The way he's able to stand tall in front of both physical and emotional blackmail and yet show enough empathy and sympathy where it counts makes it impossible to not root for the character after a point.
I loved how it ended with such half-direct dialogues where the implications were clear and yet was able to maintain the mood and style of the film.
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