Ore Kadal

Every person is an island in some ways. The amount of water surrounding the land mass is what makes an individual. Swimming in a sea of poverty and despair, housewife Deepthi (Meera Jasmine) finds herself drawn to an isolated man, Nathan (Mammootty), who knows not how to love. The question she is faced with is if one can swim to all islands or are there some that always appear on the horizon.

The film based on Sunil Gangopadhyay’s novel, "Heerak Deepthi" has Shyamaprasad behind the lens. The man in my opinion is one of the few remaining shining lights in the Kerala film industry. Though it does help to have a brilliant cast and outstanding script but it takes a genius to make it all come together seamlessly.

Rating: * * * *

Agnisakshi

Thangam (Srividya) plunges the ashes of her foster brother Unni (Rajit Kapoor) in the Ganga and finds herself awash with memories. Memories of growing up as a child born out of a Sambandham in a Namboodari illam. Thangam is enthralled with Devaki (Shobana), Unni's wife through whose eyes she realizes the suffering of Namboodari women. The community still holding on to the arcane traditions of yester year as the world around it changes. The film is set during the twilight of India's dependence on the British and when the caste system still reared its ugly hood. A film drenched in melancholy that only a Malayali of the ilk of Shyamaprasad could have directed and one only the Kerala pysche would have appreciated.

Rating: * * *

Akale

Supposedly an adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play. Whatever, its a rather moving, but simple, story of an anglo-indian family in kerala. The story's being told by a man, whose present is slowly being eaten away by his guilt of the past. Excellent performances; reminds me of the malayalam movies of many years ago - in its performances, dialogues and realism.

Rating: * * *