Review of the film 'Golam': A mediocre mystery thriller that relies on recycled concepts.
This film, while deficient in strong writing and a captivating lead performance, is somewhat redeemed by the polished narration of debutant Samjad.
Kochi: The film "Golam," directed by newcomer Samjad, opens with ASP Sandeep Krishna (Ranjith Sajeev) arriving home on a rainy evening, presumably after capturing some criminals. To highlight his tough-guy persona as a cop unafraid of action, a phone call with one of his subordinates reveals that higher-ups often give orders without engaging in the actual work. This introduction may hint that Sandeep, the main investigator in this murder mystery inspired by an Agatha Christie classic, is more inclined towards physicality than intellect, unlike Poirot.
The narrative swiftly transitions to a musical montage that presents a varied group of employees at an IT company in Kochi. It showcases each individual's morning routine as they make their way to the office. We are also introduced to their superior, Issac John (Dileesh Pothan), who displays a distinct sense of arrogance in both his speech and demeanor. This segment, centered around the workplace, gains deeper relevance later in the film when the plot begins to follow a predictable trajectory after the interval. It is at this juncture that Siddique’s character starts to piece together the enigma surrounding John's sudden demise in the office restroom during business hours.
Golam presents a diverse cast of supporting characters, each of whom could be considered a suspect; however, their struggles and challenges fail to resonate with the audience. While the lead actor's performance stands out, it would be inaccurate to label the ensemble as entirely ineffective, as several actors perform their roles competently. Alencier Ley Lopez revisits his portrayal from Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), though this time it feels somewhat superficial. Siddique appears to be going through the motions, offering expository monologues that he delivers with ease, while Chinnu Chandni shows a slight edge in her emotional scenes. Following Turbo, Dileesh Pothan’s lackluster performance serves as a reminder of the audience's longing to see him return to the director's role.
The screenplay of Golam, co-authored by Praveen Viswanath and Samjad, strives to establish Sandeep as an exceptional detective; however, this characterization ultimately falters, as the clues are presented to him too conveniently, rendering his deductions almost effortless. Ranjith Sajeev's consistently impassive expressions and monotonous dialogue delivery do little to enhance the film, despite his physique being well-suited for the role of a cinematic police officer. As the narrative progresses into the motives behind the crime, it shifts into a fantastical revenge tale intertwined with conspiracy theories and potential global implications linked to the operations of major pharmaceutical companies.
To acknowledge the merits where they exist, the deficiencies in effective writing and a captivating lead performance in Golam are somewhat offset by the polished narration provided by debutant Samjad. Furthermore, the film maintains a concise runtime of approximately two hours, ensuring it does not overextend its appeal. Aby Salvin Thomas’s dynamic yet loud score also contributes to alleviating the predictability of the film's narrative.
There appears to be an increasing trend in Malayalam crime thrillers to conclude with a suggestion of a sequel, with recent examples including Abraham Ozler and Thalavan. These epilogues often bear minimal relevance to the main storyline. While Golam follows this trend, it at least wraps up with a segment that is directly related to the central narrative, even if it does not leave the audience eager for a continuation.
The allure of Agatha Christie’s mystery thrillers lies in their masterful plotting and well-developed characters. Although Golam draws inspiration from the esteemed author’s concepts, it falls short of these attributes, resulting in a film that is merely adequate.
Film: Golam
Cast: Ranjith Sajeev, Siddique, Dileesh Pothan, Alencier Ley Lopez, Chinnu Chandni
Director: Samjad
