Review: 'Vazhakku' is a mostly engaging & innovative film that goes up a notch due to the fine acting talents

Long shots in cinematography are so underrated. It requires a huge amount of preparation before the actual shot, along with countless rehearsals. But with Vazhakku (The Quarrel), director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan does rely on it while also taking an entirely different approach to storytelling. At its core, Vazhakku is about a seemingly cheating husband who has parked his car in the middle of the woods as he engages in a gruelling argument with his soon-to-be-divorced wife. His journey in the woods leads to another encounter with a penurious woman walking with her dumb (mute) daughter, who is visibly going through a ruckus inside her head and with her health. What ensues is a series of events that shocks you in ways you did not anticipate.

The first ten minutes of Vazhakku has you wondering where this film is heading towards. A continuous angle from the galaxy slowly minimising the car Tovino Thomas' Sidharthanan is sitting is almost unsettling to the point of wonder. But it serves a purpose. 

What's fascinating is how Sasidharan and cinematographer Chandru Selvaj take the call to shift away from characters visually, even if an important development or long dialogue is going on in the background. Drone shots, scenic capture and minimal close-ups give you the impression the majority of the film is shot with single takes. It tests your interpretation as well as just what you think about the characters and their decisions

Vazhakku shines the most with the fine talent in the frame. Thomas' on-screen presence is almost too enchanting even when he's playing a flawed and questionable character, and as Sidharathanan, he shines with aplomb. The brilliant phone call argument scene with his wife (who is never shown on the screen) is an exhibition of acting masterclass. 

Thomas, basically acting with an audio note, nails every emotion; the rest of the cast has standout performances from Azees Nedumangad and Kani Kusruti as Sathi's husband and Sathi, respectively. Especially, Nedumangad is brilliant as he is almost an evil-appearing husband, but you still empathise with him and the sheer frustration his mind is going through.

The twist that comes along with the introduction of a new character towards the climax isn't quite convincing and leaves you more perplexed than satisfied. It leaves you with questions and more interpretations than you would have expected to have.

The Verdict

Vazhakku is a mostly intriguing human tale of ego and personal struggles that mostly tests your patience but engulfs you with innovative filmmaking and some of the finest acting performances.

Rating - ***1/2 (3.5/5)