Randomly gave it a watch after hearing some good reviews , but this movie is GOOD , trust me.
Compared to another Malayalam movie Ishq which dealt with the issue of moral policing as well , this movie provides a very different outlook and much refreshing. Few loopholes in the beginning all gets cleared out by the end . The acting is top notch with Sreenath Bhasi was his career best performance. Special props to the screenplay that made this movie so thrilling . Brilliant direction from the debutant. Cinematography is beautiful as always.
81 Reviews
Simply Loved This Film
sangarrajan22 June 2020
My Impression On This Movie Until The Half Of The Film Is Like A Lame Love Story With A Lot Of Logic Loop Holes ! But When The Story Moves To The End , The Director Just Made It An Amazing Film ! All The Logic Holes Just Dissapeared ! Anna Ben Was Amazing ! The Cameraman Never Failed To Make Us Fall In Love With Kerala ! Amazing Frames ! The Best In This Film Is The Characterisations ! I Loved The Way How The Director Changed Our Impression On The Characters Straight Oppisite When The Movie Ends ! Over All , This Film Will Create A Magic To The Audience ! AND ALSO IT CONVEYS A VERY GOOD MESSAGE ! AND I Also Loved The Way A Female Character Lead The Story Perfectly
Promising debut By Musthafa
Quirk4721 June 2020
Brilliant Movie - (8.5)
sujith789_reviews25 June 2020
- Watched the movie in Netflix. Running time is around 1 hr 50 minutes.
- This is a simply movie which is partly romantic and becomes a thriller towards the end.
- Casting is excellent: Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew and Sreenath Bhasi were terrific in their roles. The actors who played as Anna Ben (Jessy)'s parents were excellent as well. Director Musthafa also rocked in the short role.
- To me, this is the best malayalam movie released in 2020 so far.
- If you are reading my review and haven't watched this movie, I would suggest to watch this movie without reading other reviews or news as there can be some spoiler contents.
- Verdict: Must Watch.
Exceptional acting, high quality choreography and a good story to match!
superzuper22 June 2020
I decided to give this movie a shot after watching the trailer. The movie really looks and is high quality. The story depicts Jessy and Vishnu's love development and touches on the subject on how the most minor of incidents in our lives can create brilliant adventures and stories to be told. I like the fact that throughout the entire movie it isn't just a typical romantic 'flick'. Rather, it also brings in the character of Roy, who also combines in a sense of thriller into the movie. I really recommend watching this on Netflix if you can.
Defies easy categorization
ze_goose27 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Some movies leave a lasting impression on you, long after the credits roll. This is one of those movies. Then there are the kind of movies that make you want to write your first review on IMDb at 2am. This is one of *those* movies.
The story is somewhat non-linear, and does require you to keep an open mind as to what you are seeing; but not too open, *wink wink* :] I could try to conform the story to a pithy maxim (or two), but that would be doing a disservice to the movie and the experience, so I will spare the reader.
It's hard to describe, but it feels as though the movie was made very painstakingly, and with careful, gentle attention to detail. The director is toying with quite a few metaphors throughout the movie. In general, I would say the director and script are mostly taking their time through the movie to take well defined genre tropes -- then turn them upside-down, and then turn them inside-out.
The cinematography is exquisite, and showcases Kerala in all its picturesque glory. The soundtrack and movie score are spot on.
I would hazard a guess to say that it takes skill to take an ordinary looking situation and reinterpret it to convey a foreboding and palpable sense of dread to the viewer; this director accomplishes the task almost effortlessly, I find it very hard to believe this is his debut venture. This is where the movie excels - it transcends mere moving images, and begins to convey a symphony of emotions; much like an orchestral performance where every instrument is gently coaxed to shine through.
I'm quite unsure as to whether this movie would appeal to non-Malayalam speakers, or whether they would be able to fully grasp the context, setting and/or socio-economic milieu of the movie, but nevertheless, I would whole-heartedly encourage folks who are adventurous in cinema watching to take the plunge and judge it for yourself.
The story is somewhat non-linear, and does require you to keep an open mind as to what you are seeing; but not too open, *wink wink* :] I could try to conform the story to a pithy maxim (or two), but that would be doing a disservice to the movie and the experience, so I will spare the reader.
It's hard to describe, but it feels as though the movie was made very painstakingly, and with careful, gentle attention to detail. The director is toying with quite a few metaphors throughout the movie. In general, I would say the director and script are mostly taking their time through the movie to take well defined genre tropes -- then turn them upside-down, and then turn them inside-out.
The cinematography is exquisite, and showcases Kerala in all its picturesque glory. The soundtrack and movie score are spot on.
I would hazard a guess to say that it takes skill to take an ordinary looking situation and reinterpret it to convey a foreboding and palpable sense of dread to the viewer; this director accomplishes the task almost effortlessly, I find it very hard to believe this is his debut venture. This is where the movie excels - it transcends mere moving images, and begins to convey a symphony of emotions; much like an orchestral performance where every instrument is gently coaxed to shine through.
I'm quite unsure as to whether this movie would appeal to non-Malayalam speakers, or whether they would be able to fully grasp the context, setting and/or socio-economic milieu of the movie, but nevertheless, I would whole-heartedly encourage folks who are adventurous in cinema watching to take the plunge and judge it for yourself.
Good acting but poor script
aamilsyed16 July 2020
Lot of plot holes in the movie. The film is visually stunning and acting is really good, but most of the movie is spent building up to a twist that was jarring, out of place and unbelievable. If the writer had stuck with a simpler script, it could've been a much better movie.
One of the best movies of 2020
rahuldutta-132075 July 2020
You will not now where the story is headed until the climax. That's the beauty! Based on real incidents (you will know why I've said this), you cannot describe this movie as a love story but, rather a... (no spoilers). Give it a watch guys and have patience because the 1st hour will make you little bore but the next hour is where the beauty of this movie resides.
Good but Overhipped
aroonsapienzz23 June 2020
This was not a usual mollywood film , malayalam film are best known for its originality , this film has many logic holes and unanswered questions . I dont know why this movie was hipped , i saw many positive reviews and came up with more expectations , but end with not bad ,but this film will change up the usual protoganist ,antogonist things in cinema . normal commercial film .
Wonderful movie with a surprise!
Bhomiq24 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
WHAT A TWIIISSSST. Was not expecting that at all but that's what was so realistic about it. It was simple but was also able to capture the typical day-to-day life of a Mallu person cos I could relate to it. Great acting by all the actors (some of my faves too!) and a really good storyline that actually sends out a warning message to the people of this generation. You never know when/how life can change and you should never trust people blindly. I was honestly not expecting to love this movie as much as I did!
Part rom-com, part thriller - okayish results! [+55%]
arungeorge1323 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Kappela is a film that interestingly plays around the good-guy-bad-guy role-reversal. While the circumstances may feel rather ordinary, the treatment and performances give it new life. The phone romance between Jessy (Anna Ben) and Vishnu (Roshan Mathew) plays out in a generic but believable manner and this constitutes the entirety of the film's first half. With the entry of Roy (Sreenath Bhasi), Kappela turns into a thriller of sorts. You do feel a hangover of last year's "Ishq" but with a twist in the narrative.
Writer-director Musthafa places Jessy in a village in Wayanad - the prospect of a wrong-number-turned-romance with autorickshaw driver Vishnu is pictured as something hopeful for Jessy. As the second half commences, the love story is purposefully cut off to showcase Roy's generally hostile nature. The 'unexpected reveal' also happens too abruptly for us to go back and make sense of everything that's unravelled thus far, but it works given the intention of the makers wasn't just to drive a moral-policing message home.
Anna Ben's palette of expressions does feel like a rehash of her earlier characters (it's only her third film), but she manages to hold her own in a film that ultimately turns a tad too virile. Bhasi is, without a doubt, the winner here and once again proves that filmmakers can depend on him if you write his characters well - he'll add a fair amount of texture on his own. Sushin Shyam's musical score is minimal but effective. Musthafa (who also appears in the film in a minor role) definitely shows promise as a director; he just needs to up his scripting game.
Writer-director Musthafa places Jessy in a village in Wayanad - the prospect of a wrong-number-turned-romance with autorickshaw driver Vishnu is pictured as something hopeful for Jessy. As the second half commences, the love story is purposefully cut off to showcase Roy's generally hostile nature. The 'unexpected reveal' also happens too abruptly for us to go back and make sense of everything that's unravelled thus far, but it works given the intention of the makers wasn't just to drive a moral-policing message home.
Anna Ben's palette of expressions does feel like a rehash of her earlier characters (it's only her third film), but she manages to hold her own in a film that ultimately turns a tad too virile. Bhasi is, without a doubt, the winner here and once again proves that filmmakers can depend on him if you write his characters well - he'll add a fair amount of texture on his own. Sushin Shyam's musical score is minimal but effective. Musthafa (who also appears in the film in a minor role) definitely shows promise as a director; he just needs to up his scripting game.
One Part Romance, One Part Thriller / 5 Stars
nairtejas22 June 2020
I am all for the final message that Kappela (Chapel) conveys on the subject of virtual friendship and romance in the age of WhatsApp, but I still had some troubles digesting that message what with the virulent turn the plot takes post the midpoint turning from a sweet story of serendipitous romance to a thriller touching upon the concept of moral policing. And in that transformation, this social drama loses some of its sheen that it had built through the lovely and picturesque shots (of Wayanad) that make the first half. Anna Ben is no doubt in her best avatar, only a bit typecast if that heavy term can be used for her third film, but who has really been surprising me even before Kumbalangi Nights (2019) is Sreenath Bhasi, who is finally getting due for his acting talent. Greatly supported by Roshan Mathew, with his realistic portrayal of a loverboy, Kappela has several positives that justify a watch for the average moviegoer, but in the grand scheme of things, it refuses to go beyond the boundary that it itself had drawn when it decided to take the two-in-one genre-bending approach, a tried-and-failed trope in Malayalam cinema. Even if one were to disregard the underlying ideologies that the film advocates and emphasises on, there are unanswered questions and gaps in the plot that prevent from calling it anything above average. But I'll be looking out for Muhammed Musthafa. TN.
Anti Corona
rajeshr-1910220 September 2020
Since it was raining in Mumbai yesterday I sat at home and watched this movie with nil expectations with 3 key characters I wouldn't give a second look and couldn't believe my eyes as the movie entered the last lap. Make such movies and a whole lot of people will stay at home instead of gallivanting aimlessly on the roads during the pandemic. This is among my top 3 of the 50 odd Malayalam movies I watched from March 2020.. Like Innocent said..inikye ishtayee ta.. Hats of to the 3 leads, and the supporting cast..
A quaint romance drama that quickly becomes a compelling thriller!
nidhunmoviebuff22 June 2020
#MovieReview #Kappela #Malayalam #Netflix
#SpoilerFree
Cant believe I missed this gem during its shortlived theater run that was curtailed by the outbreak of Covid 19. Kappela is a quaint little romance drama which moves at breakneck pace to become a compelling thriller.
While all the three leads put in superb performances, it is the nuanced portrayal by Sreenath Bhasi of the character 'Roy' will ample shades of grey that ends up truly mesmerizing you, Director Musthafa paints a masterpiece with his careful detailing of every character and his masterful casting.
Kudos to the irrepressible talent that is Anna Ben who delivers her third hit on the trot. And Roshan Mathew, what a talent! The dude is surely going places with his move to Bollywood and what not. A must watch. Highly recommended.
Cant believe I missed this gem during its shortlived theater run that was curtailed by the outbreak of Covid 19. Kappela is a quaint little romance drama which moves at breakneck pace to become a compelling thriller.
While all the three leads put in superb performances, it is the nuanced portrayal by Sreenath Bhasi of the character 'Roy' will ample shades of grey that ends up truly mesmerizing you, Director Musthafa paints a masterpiece with his careful detailing of every character and his masterful casting.
Kudos to the irrepressible talent that is Anna Ben who delivers her third hit on the trot. And Roshan Mathew, what a talent! The dude is surely going places with his move to Bollywood and what not. A must watch. Highly recommended.
Wow! I was not expecting the outcome!
SuzanneReid199422 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The cinematography was outstanding.
The soundtrack was well thought out and added more emotion to the film.
The impression I get from the film writers is they are encouraging society to go back to their roots and traditions, only put trust in arranged marriages, technology is bad, and do not allow women to think for themselves because they are gullible.
The takeaway or moral of the story is "Don't trust people you meet randomly".
Hmmmmm
Gave me a lot to think about.
The soundtrack was well thought out and added more emotion to the film.
The impression I get from the film writers is they are encouraging society to go back to their roots and traditions, only put trust in arranged marriages, technology is bad, and do not allow women to think for themselves because they are gullible.
The takeaway or moral of the story is "Don't trust people you meet randomly".
Hmmmmm
Gave me a lot to think about.
Beautiful story with a social message
avvenkatesh28 June 2020
Wow! I did not expect the outcome!
SuzanneReid199422 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The cinematography was outstanding.
The soundtrack was well thought out and added more emotion to the film.
The impressions I got from the film writers were they are encouraging society to go back to their roots and traditions, only put trust in arranged marriages, technology is bad, and do not allow women to think for themselves because they are gullible.
The takeaway or moral of the story is "Don't trust people you meet randomly".
Hmmmmm
Gave me a lot to think about.
The soundtrack was well thought out and added more emotion to the film.
The impressions I got from the film writers were they are encouraging society to go back to their roots and traditions, only put trust in arranged marriages, technology is bad, and do not allow women to think for themselves because they are gullible.
The takeaway or moral of the story is "Don't trust people you meet randomly".
Hmmmmm
Gave me a lot to think about.
Niceeee
watchfulprotector18 July 2020
Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew were good, but for me Sreenath Bhasi was outstanding with his performance else we would have known what his character is in actual though the screenplay is intact.
Simple and decent movie. Could give only 7 because it took sometime, in fact a long time to get things into the real play.
Definitely worth your time.
Over rated illogical script
butravi26 November 2020
Far too many high ratings. The script is deliberately misleading to create suspense that never was!
The lead character jessy is acted well, but rest of the cast trouble to act the 2 dimensional characters written for them.
Selective portrayal of characters to create a fake suspense falls flat, and would be irritable to any intelligent viewer. Thus twist feels like a illogical ploy to create an illusion of some story.
Lot of other reviews praise malayalam movies for excellence, but this movie is not one of them. Script is at best amateurish and contrived. Which is not the case of usually excellent malayalam movies.
Watch it your own risk, and then you will be able to realise which one's are fake reviews!!
Good movie
rohan-506979 June 2020
Good movie
adarshkrockz23 June 2020
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