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A Rollercoaster of Comedy: Jeethu Joseph’s Nunakuzhi Delivers Big Laughs


If ever there were an ‘exaggeration measurement device’ in a movie set, it would remain somewhere close to the maximum in many sequences in Jeethu Joseph’s Nunakuzhi. Almost everything, including the performances, is loud by two notches above the normal limit. Yet, much of it works well for the kind of film it is.

Nunakuzhi coasts along on a series of lies and mix-ups, one built on top of the previous. It all begins with a laptop that income tax officials seize during a raid at a company. Eby (Basil Joseph), who has reluctantly taken up the company’s mantle after his father’s death, had stored some personal videos on the laptop. The videos being seen by anyone else is unthinkable for Eby and his wife (Nikhila Vimal), making him set off on a mission to trace the IT officer (Siddique).

As the plot thickens, Eby’s paths cross with that of Resmitha (Grace Antony), who is going through a tough divorce proceeding. Meanwhile, the dead body of a dentist is lying in his clinic, with a woman accidentally locked up in one of the rooms. In yet another parallel track, an aspiring filmmaker (Althaf Salim) is at a script reading session with a pompous film star (Manoj K Jayan). As is expected, all these parallel tracks are bound to meet in one gigantic, confusing mix-up.

Jeethu Joseph, who has not attempted humour in a while, goes for an all-out comedy in Nunakuzhi. KR Krishna Kumar, who had earlier scripted Jeethu’s 12th Man and Kooman, comes up with an evenly-paced screenplay, where the one-liners keep coming. A good part of it works due to the fast-paced editing that keeps switching between all the parallel scenarios and the comic timing of the performers, be it that of the youngsters or the veterans. For every joke that does not work, two others do. Even the few thriller elements in the story are laced with humour. Krishna Kumar must have had quite a task to seamlessly interlink the parallel scenarios without making it seem overdone.

Basil Joseph, as the man who just refuses to grow up and lands in pits of his own making, plays to his strengths, although the performance is a tad bit louder than his usual. An extended ‘poison mix-up’ scene with Grace Antony is a riot. Baiju Santosh plays the role of a police officer with a knack to tickle a funny bone. Although it is the kind of role we are so used to seeing him in, he manages to bring an element of freshness to the table with his trademark style of dialogue delivery. So does Siddique.

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In Nunakuzhi, the loudness of the characters and situations, although exaggerated, somehow amalgamate to form an entertaining experience. The film’s success largely hinges on its ability to keep the audience engaged through a whirlwind of comic mishaps. Each scene is crafted to segue seamlessly into the next, with a rhythm that feels almost musical in its execution. This pacing is crucial since the film juggles so many narratives at once, and any lapse could lead to a cluttered mess—an error that Joseph and Kumar deftly avoid.

Jeethu Joseph, known predominantly for his thriller genre, showcases his versatile directorial prowess by stepping into the comedy domain with ease. Nunakuzhi is lively, vibrant, and immensely engaging. The script remains tight, and the humour, although occasionally over the top, tends to hit the mark more often than not. The symphony of chaos cumulates towards a climax that is as unpredictable as it is hilarious, ensuring audiences are kept on the edge of their seats till the very end.

Visually, the movie benefits from vibrant cinematography that enhances the comedic tone and mood of the narrative. The lively color palette and dynamic camera movements coincide with the fast-paced editing to create an appealing visual spectacle. The production design accentuates the chaotic environments that the characters find themselves in, adding an additional layer to the comedic undertone.

The supporting cast also deserves mention. Grace Antony as Resmitha, dealing with her own challenges, brings depth and relatability to the character. Her scenes, especially those that overlap with Eby’s storyline, provide some of the most humorous and poignant moments in the film. Althaf Salim, as the aspiring filmmaker, portrays the industry’s quirks and eccentricities, providing a satirical edge to the narrative.

On the whole, Nunakuzhi is a briskly-paced fun ride, which proves that Jeethu Joseph is adept at more than just thrillers. It showcases his ability to delve into comedy and craft a film that is both entertaining and well-paced. The film’s exaggerated elements, far from being flaws, contribute to its unique charm and comic appeal.

Nunakuzhi is currently running in theatres. For those in the mood for a hearty laugh, Jeethu Joseph’s latest venture is an absolute must-watch. The film promises not just a few chuckles but a full-blown comedic escapade that keeps you entertained from start to finish. Malayalam cinema has yet another gem to boast, one that celebrates the essence of comedy through a well-woven tapestry of lies and mix-ups.

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