The first-time writer-director has a firm grip over both his craft and his understanding of the psychology of his two heroines. The result is a wonderfully humanistic drama.
Ullozhukku, meaning undercurrent, is essentially a showcase for two women – I am talking about both Urvashi and Parvathy Thiruvothu, and the superbly written characters they play, mother-in-law Leelamma and daughter-in-law Anju. They are from different generations, of course – but in this small place in Kuttanad, time seems to have stood still in some respects. For instance, Leelamma wanted to study medicine, but her parents wouldn’t hear of it. They got her married off at a young age. Anju, on the other hand, is a working woman as the film opens. She is a salesgirl in a sari shop. But after marriage, she, too, becomes a housewife, looking after the numerous needs of family. But at least one thing has changed across generations. Leelamma accepted her fate with resignation, and perhaps even with a bit of delusion. “The Lord is jealous of my happiness,” she says, when she talks about her ailing son Thomaskutty (Prasant Murali). And we wonder: was happiness ever in the picture? But Anju – Thomaskutty’s wife – isn’t one to wallow in a dream world. She sees her reality clearly, and it stinks.
You can read the rest of the review here:
https://www.galatta.com/malayalam/movie/review/ullozhukku/
You can watch the trailer / video review here:
Copyright ©2024 GALATTA.
Baradwaj Rangan 
KG
June 21, 2024
Hello BR Sir,
Have finally mustered the courage to comment in this space. Have been a regular reader since your Blogical Conclusion days, circa 2006; thanks to a female colleague from Chennai who introduced this Bombay girl to your writing. That friendship has run its course due to distances and different life paths but I remember her pretty much everyday because visiting this space has been a part of my daily routine all these years.
Beautifully written review of Ullozhukku. Makes me want to watch it soon.
KG
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ravenus1
June 21, 2024
The film’s trailer was very intriguing and your review confirms my suspicions. I hope it is screening with subs in Mumbai.
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brangan
June 21, 2024
KG: That’s 16 years of silent reading!!! Thanks for the visits and this comment 🙂
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Sifter
June 24, 2024
Loved the movie. Urvashi is fantastic throught. Parvathi is very good, but not as consistent as Urvashi. Malayalam film makers are always different and this movie is one such example. Such a small premise, but see how the story unfolds, unraveling some secrets.
Makes me wonder why don’t we have such movies in Tamil. If we do have that rare one, immediately fans and others latch on to the hero or the music director and raise them to a demi-god status.
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Sifter
June 24, 2024
Oh, and the audience clapped as soon as the movie ended! Don’t know why, but I was surprised 🙂
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