2018 lacks the layers and nuances of a survival thriller like Virus but writer-director Jude Anthany Joseph keeps delivering emotional beat after emotional beat in the second half, and fortunately for us, they work. There's a certain level of technical finesse too, which helps making the devastating flood scenes look and feel authentic. Nobin Paul goes for a lighter score in the first half when the film is establishing various characters and their backdrops, but goes all out once the floodgates of Idukki dam are opened. The score is instrumental in building the tension and the goosebump moments, and it does what it sets out to do. The screenplay by Jude and Akhil P Dharmajan focus more on the ground-level efforts put in by the fisherfolk, and rightfully so.
Little light is shed on government machinery and media efforts, and it's barely anything when you compare it with the rest of the film. Most of the key characters' arcs are predictable to a tee, especially Tovino's and Asif's, yet they still prove to be the film's strongpoints. The angle with Vineeth Sreenivasan and Kalaiyarasan could've had more depth, while Aparna Balamurali's portion is almost forgotten in the second half. Lal and Narain also get decent screenspace and their characters are pivotal to the rescue events. It is difficult to sum up the 2018 floods in Kerala into a 2h 30m film, and as a craftsman, Jude shows that he can handle subjects of scale and get his cast to work wonders with whatever they're handed. The champions here include the departments of art, soundscape, and cinematography.
The dialogues are a reflection of the social media posts of the times, and they sound a bit forced, especially when a character has to give a rousing speech or get ultra-emotional. That aside, I'll give credit where it's due to Jude and his entire team for coming up with a memorable tribute to the people of Kerala who stood united during a really difficult time and reminding the rest of India that this is the REAL KERALA STORY. And yes, 2018 is clearly a theatre watch. No arguments whatsoever.
P. S - Can't wait to see the behind-the-scenes clips!
Little light is shed on government machinery and media efforts, and it's barely anything when you compare it with the rest of the film. Most of the key characters' arcs are predictable to a tee, especially Tovino's and Asif's, yet they still prove to be the film's strongpoints. The angle with Vineeth Sreenivasan and Kalaiyarasan could've had more depth, while Aparna Balamurali's portion is almost forgotten in the second half. Lal and Narain also get decent screenspace and their characters are pivotal to the rescue events. It is difficult to sum up the 2018 floods in Kerala into a 2h 30m film, and as a craftsman, Jude shows that he can handle subjects of scale and get his cast to work wonders with whatever they're handed. The champions here include the departments of art, soundscape, and cinematography.
The dialogues are a reflection of the social media posts of the times, and they sound a bit forced, especially when a character has to give a rousing speech or get ultra-emotional. That aside, I'll give credit where it's due to Jude and his entire team for coming up with a memorable tribute to the people of Kerala who stood united during a really difficult time and reminding the rest of India that this is the REAL KERALA STORY. And yes, 2018 is clearly a theatre watch. No arguments whatsoever.
P. S - Can't wait to see the behind-the-scenes clips!