Lal Salaam

Venu Nagavalli's brilliant film that follows the birth and rise of communism in Kerala through the eyes of three party workers. Ushering the delivery of the political ideology are comrades Netturan (Mohanlal), DK (Murali) and Sethu (Geetha). Rather than focusing entirely on the political ideology, Nagavalli brings to the forefront the reality of politics in a politician's life. A trip down the vintage Malayalam movie lane that leaves you wondering where the Mohanlal of yesteryear disappeared...

Rating: * * *

Achuvinte Amma

Achu's (Meera Jasmine) world is dominated in a good way by her enterprising single mother (Urvashi). The film offers a small portal into the rare world of a single mother in Kerala. The camera lens tends to focus more on the mother and daughter relationship rather the social pressures a single mother faces in India. But in spite of the restricted arc, the manner in which the director explores their relationship calls for very good viewing.

Rating: * * +