Film: Helen
Cast: Anna Ben, Lal, Noble Babu Thomas, Aju Varghese, Rony David, Binu Pappu
Direction: Mathukutty Xavier
Rating: ****
Reviewer: George Sylex
Highlights - Movie industry has siphoned out various astounding and spellbinding survival stories and keeping in mind that a considerable lot of the fictional ones are unbelievably great, the ones depend on a real story that conveys an additional sparkle. In India, survival thriller genre films are exceptionally least. I think after Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Trapped' no movies on this sort turned out. However, here debutant director Mathukutty Xavier gifts us an intriguing survival thriller with 'Helen'.
What's About - Helen has finished her BSc nursing course and like practically all nursing graduates she has a fantasy to work in Canda. For that reason, she is getting ready for the IELTS test. Helen additionally does part-time work at a food hub to help her dad financially. Her dad is troubled about the possibility of her traveling to another country and needs her to be with him. As we go inside into Helen's bustling world, we come to realize that she is involved in a relationship with Azhar (Noble Thomas). Helen's father comes to know her relationship with Azhar and he quits conversing with her. The pre-interval half takes as much time as is needed to establish the tone and get into the enumerating. The interval accompanies with a shock when Helen gets caught inside a freezer at her food hub. You need to watch it theater to find out about it. No Spoilers
Script Analysis - The best thing about Helen's writing and the screenplay is that it alarms you with your very own creative mind. The writers' trio of Alfred Kurien, Mathukutty and Noble Thomas play with your psyche during the post-interval and don't give you what you are expecting for quite a while. An astonishing thing about this film, it can be delighted by any genre of movie buffs. It's not simply restricted to being a survival thriller, it has its enthusiastic minutes, it has great music, eyes watering moments and everything to keep you engaged.
Direction, Cinematography & Music - Mathukutty Xavier keeps a consistent direction all through the film, offering the viewers everything to prepare the answer to the thriller in their own heads. He keeps up the narrative well and he keeps the heart pulsating component all through. This Survival thriller makes you awkward and that is the place his direction successes. Anend C Chandran's cinematography is magnificent. He loans a marvelous look all through the film with the colors, focus and the most peculiar locales. The manner in which he makes the frosty mood inside the freezer is splendid and adds to the thrilling element.
Though the film is filled with astounding performances, it’ll always be remembered for Mathukutty Xavier. This man has included a pearl in the list of best survival thrillers in India. He has exceeded expectations the way of storytelling matching up the standards of best in the movie industry. Shaan Rahman's music department is certainly a major part of Helen. Particularly the background score is tense and keeps you engaged. The set arrangements of 'Helen' deserves a special mention since they are so splendid, as the majority of the film's narrative is inside the freezer.
Stars Performances - Helen will be the best of Anna Ben's film career without any doubt. Mind you, she has some great exhibitions in Kumbalangi Nights. But 'Helen' has risen her up to another level. She is probably the best actor we have. Lal as Helen's father gets the most strongly composed character. His character chart is strong on the grounds that he'll pick up your sympathy and simultaneously will fulfill you. Noble Thomas has enough nearness yet he proves his worth of being a good actor. Aju Varghese as an aggravating cop does well in his job. I feel it's the beginning of a character redirection in his acting career. Rony is hilarious as the manager of a food hub and he conveys a few laughs also. He resembles me like Jimmy Shergil of Bollywood. Both are unused by the industry. But Vineeth Sreenivasan's production's movies consistently gives him great characters. Vineeth Sreenivasan leaves the ideal effect in an appearance.
Verdict - Helen is a splendid work from Mathukutty Xavier with an exceptional execution from Anna Ben. A frosty survival thriller with sky-high emotions and furthermore reminds us about even a smile can be recollected. Go for it before the spoilsports come in to ruin everyone’s experience. A must watch
