Janaki V vs State of Kerala review: Noble intentions marred by flawed execution
Director Pravin Narayanan has penned an interesting story, revolving around issues that women still face across the country. From cybercrime, stalking, eve-teasing, to physical assault and abuse, social stigma, and the conversations surrounding abortion – the filmmaker has included all these elements in his story, and on paper has crafted a smartly written legal drama. However, when it comes to screenplay and execution, the director seems to have gotten confused about the kind of film he wanted to make. The film chooses several sub-plots to use as misdirections but ends up developing them to an extent where the sub-plot seems more intriguing, only for them to be dropped abruptly. The inconsistent integration of mass elements, seemingly just to tap into Suresh Gopi's star appeal, feels more like a distraction than an elevation.'Janaki V vs State of Kerala' paves the way for conversations that are important in today's society. But the in-your-face social message, which only receives prominence at the very end of the film without proper setups throughout its runtime, seems forced and ends up being barely effective. Considering all the elements at the director's disposal - the story, theme and Suresh Gopi - an obvious struggle in managing and utilising available resources is evident.Suresh Gopi returns to the big screen after a significant gap and brings the same dramatic charm and energy he always has. However, his performance – particularly the dialogue delivery – is on a completely different acting wavelength from the rest of the cast. Carrying a more theatrical approach, the character of Advocate David Abel Donovan often feels out of place and distracting from the film's core intensity.advertisementAnupama Parameshwaran delivers an impressive performance as Janaki V. Effectively communicating her grief, pain, trauma, circumstances, and strength all at once, Anupama becomes the emotional bridge between the audience and the story. The 'Premam' actor carries this weight well. The rest of the cast also deliver strong performances.The film, edited by Samjith Mohammed, could have benefited from a crisper cut. Several shots lingered for far too long, affecting the overall pace. While some sequences showcased a creative attempt to convey emotions, none stood out as particularly innovative. Both the cinematography and music followed a traditional approach, with nothing that left a lasting impression.In conclusion, 'Janaki V vs State of Kerala' is a film that sets out with noble intentions and a socially relevant premise but falters in execution. While the story is rooted in pressing real-world issues, the film struggles to find a consistent voice. With a more cohesive screenplay, restrained editing, and a clearer narrative focus, this courtroom drama could have made a far greater impact.- EndsMUST WATCH:
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