‘Am Ah’: Dileesh Pothan-Jaffer Idukki starrer charms visually but stumbles narratively | Movie Review

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A serene mountainside village, where even the freshly tarred roads are only a year old, sets the stage for 'Am Ah'. The arrival of a supervisor, Stephen, tasked with overseeing roadwork, is met with warm hospitality from the villagers, who have long adapted to their way of life. However, beneath the picturesque greenery and the seemingly content residents, a sense of unease lingers, hinting at a deeper mystery waiting to unfold.
Dileesh Pothan steps into the role of Stephen, the supervisor whose curiosity is piqued by the strange undercurrents of the village, while Jaffer Idukki plays the local ward member.
The film starts off strong, with director Thomas K Sebastian skillfully building intrigue. The scenic beauty of the lush green trails, hilltop landscapes, and the everyday lives of the villagers add a compelling charm. However, the core of the story only unfolds in the second half. While the narrative flows fairly well up to that point, the latter half struggles to maintain its momentum.
It feels as though the movie lacks a proper conclusion. In the second half, as the mystery begins to unravel, the sense of thrill starts to wane. While actors like Devadarshini, who plays Amminiyamma, have significant roles, the characters, including hers, feel underdeveloped. This lack of depth makes it hard to truly connect with anyone in the story. The characters introduced in the early or mid portions of the film don’t seem to have much significance to the overall narrative. As the story progresses, you’re left questioning their purpose and why they were included in the first place. The setting of the film and the way it unfolds may feel reminiscent of 'Ela Veezha Poonchira', where the lush greenery becomes a key element of the story itself. However, in 'Am Ah', the greenery doesn’t take on that same defining role. Instead, it feels more like a backdrop—a location where the events happen, rather than an integral part of the story.
The trailer sets up an expectation of an ominous mystery lurking in the shadows, creating a sense of suspense. However, the film doesn’t quite follow through on that promise, taking a completely different trajectory as the story unfolds.
The performances are solid, but they don’t quite reach exceptional levels. As mentioned earlier, the characters lack depth, leaving little room for the actors to deliver truly impactful performances. The story weaves an emotional thread tied to the mystery, but it doesn’t quite reach a satisfying conclusion.
One of the standout aspects of the movie is its stunning cinematography by Anish Lal R S. He beautifully captures the lush greenery and vibrant landscapes, making the setting visually captivating and a treat to watch.
While the film does lose momentum at times, it still offers just enough to keep you engaged. However, a sense of incompleteness lingers, leaving you wanting more. The music for the film, composed by Gopi Sunder, is soothing and aligns well with the overall tone of the movie.
The film had plenty of potential, but a clearer definition of the story and its characters could have elevated it further. That said, for viewers who appreciate the lush green landscapes of Kerala, combined with a touch of mystery and emotional drama, this movie might still be worth a visit to the theatres.