Bougainvillea is a compelling psychological thriller, elevated by strong performances, though it falters due to pacing issues.
Star Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Jyothirmayi, Veena Nandakumar, Sharafudheen, Srinda
Director: Amal Neerad
What’s Good: There’s a great twist in the movie that you probably won’t expect. The visuals are impressive, especially the cinematography and how the camera is carefully positioned throughout the film.
What’s Bad: The background music in the first half feels weak, with too much bass that doesn’t add much to the scenes. The ending and the villain are predictable, and there are some clear plot holes along the way.
Loo Break: You can take a short break anytime before the 45-minute mark, but remember that key scenes early on introduce the characters and help us understand who they are and how they behave.
Watch or Not?: If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this movie is worth watching. It starts slow, but the second half gets more interesting. However, it’s better suited for a mature audience.
The plot of Bougainvillea is fairly simple but gripping. It revolves around a young woman from Tamil Nadu, the daughter of a politician, who mysteriously goes missing while studying in Kerala. As the police dive deeper into the investigation, they uncover a chilling pattern—several other young women, all in their early twenties, have also vanished under eerily similar circumstances.
The story takes a darker turn when Reethu, played by Jyothirmayi, becomes the prime suspect. Reethu struggles with memory issues, making it difficult for her to piece together what has happened, leaving both her and the audience questioning her involvement.
Kunchacko Boban plays Dr. Royce Thomas, Reethu’s caring and devoted husband, adding an emotional layer to the film. The central mystery of whether Reethu is connected to these disappearances—and if so, how deeply—keeps the tension alive.
However, the film’s length works against it, dragging out certain moments and affecting the overall pacing. Despite this, the intriguing premise and strong character portrayals make it a compelling watch.
Language: Malayalam
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 138 Minutes
Bougainvillea Movie Review: Strong Performances with a Gripping Second Half, but Pacing and Music Falter
Bougainvillea brings an interesting psychological thriller to the table, but it’s a film that struggles to balance its strengths and weaknesses. The performances by Kunchacko Boban, Fahadh Faasil, and Jyothirmayi are impressive, but the film suffers from a slow first half and a soundtrack that fails to elevate key moments. Directed by Amal Neerad, Bougainvillea attempts to dive deep into the minds of its characters, yet stumbles with a script that could have been stronger. Let’s take a closer look at what works and what doesn’t in this thriller.
A Weak Start with Long Character Introductions
In the first half, the script feels weak, as it spends too much time introducing the characters. While character development is important, the film drags on for too long before the plot really starts to move. The pacing in the early part of the film could have been much tighter, making it easier for the audience to stay engaged. Despite this slow start, the second half picks up speed and does a better job of building suspense and delivering on the promise of a psychological thriller.
The character introductions themselves, however, feel authentic. The interactions and dialogues are believable and help the audience understand each character’s behavior and motivations. For example, Jyothirmayi’s character, Reethu, is a standout. She struggles with memory issues, which adds a layer of mystery to her role in the story, and her portrayal is completely convincing. Kunchacko Boban’s character, Dr. Royce Thomas, is portrayed as a loving and supportive husband, but his character lacks depth and isn’t fully developed. This missed opportunity makes his role feel less impactful than it could have been.
Strong Performances by the Lead Cast
One of the film’s strengths is the strong performances from the lead cast. Jyothirmayi’s portrayal of Reethu is exceptional, capturing the confusion and emotional turmoil of a woman who cannot fully trust her own memories. Her performance is a true highlight of the movie, bringing depth and nuance to a complex character. Kunchacko Boban also delivers a solid performance as Dr. Royce Thomas. His portrayal of a caring husband dealing with a difficult situation is emotionally subtle, and he manages to convey a deep sense of helplessness in a very understated way.
However, Fahadh Faasil, who plays the investigative officer David Koshy, feels underused. For an actor of his talent, this role doesn’t give him much to work with, and it feels like a missed opportunity. Faasil is known for his ability to bring depth and intensity to his roles, but here, the script doesn’t allow him to shine. This is not a comment on his stardom but rather on his skill as a performer, which isn’t fully utilized in this film.
The supporting cast also delivers solid performances. Srinda, who plays Rema, the domestic help, is convincing in her role, showcasing her potential for more complex character roles in the future. Veena Nandakumar, playing the psychologist Meera, does a fine job as well. She convincingly portrays fear and the emotional shifts her character goes through, adding more layers to the story.
The Script Could Have Been Stronger
The script, written by director Amal Neerad alongside Lajo Jose and R.J. Murugan, works but could have been much stronger. The storyline, though straightforward, lacks the kind of sharpness and depth that would make it truly stand out as a psychological thriller. There are few standout characters in the film, but those that do stand out deliver performances that keep the film afloat.
One of the major problems with the script is that it doesn’t provide enough development for Kunchacko Boban’s character. Dr. Royce Thomas, while portrayed as a devoted husband, doesn’t have enough backstory or complexity to make his character fully engaging. The film could have benefited from more attention to his development, which would have added more emotional weight to the story.
Pacing and Music Issues Hurt the Film
One of the biggest issues with Bougainvillea is its pacing, particularly in the first half. The film takes too long to build momentum, and the slow pacing makes it difficult for the audience to stay fully engaged. While the second half picks up the pace and delivers more tension, the sluggish start leaves a noticeable impact on the overall experience. The film feels like it’s split into two, with the first half dragging and the second half trying to make up for lost time.
The music, composed by Sushin Shyam, also falls short. In a film like this, where tension and atmosphere are key, the background score needs to complement and elevate the scenes. Unfortunately, the score in the first half of the film is weak, with an overuse of bass that adds little to the atmosphere. Fahadh Faasil’s introduction scene, which should have been a standout moment, is marred by a poorly executed background score, reducing the impact of his character’s arrival. Given Sushin Shyam’s previous work in the industry, it’s disappointing that his contribution here doesn’t live up to expectations.
Redemption in the Second Half
Despite its flaws, Bougainvillea does redeem itself in the second half. The pacing improves, and the film finally begins to deliver the psychological tension that was promised from the start. The plot twists and reveals are engaging, keeping the audience guessing about Reethu’s involvement in the disappearances of several young women. These moments are where the film truly shines, and the performances by Jyothirmayi and Kunchacko Boban become even more impactful as the stakes rise.
However, the use of flashbacks could have been handled better. While they are meant to provide context and depth to the characters, the execution feels a bit clumsy, and they don’t always add the emotional weight they should. With a bit more finesse in handling these scenes, the film could have felt more cohesive.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag with Strong Performances
In conclusion, Bougainvillea is a psychological thriller that showcases strong performances from its cast, particularly Jyothirmayi and Kunchacko Boban. The second half of the film is gripping and delivers the tension and intrigue that fans of the genre crave. However, the film falls short due to pacing issues, an underwhelming background score, and a script that could have been sharper. While it’s not a perfect film, it may still be worth watching for those who appreciate psychological thrillers and are willing to overlook its flaws.
Ultimately, Bougainvillea had the potential to be a standout thriller but is held back by its uneven execution. If you’re a fan of the genre and can get past the slow start, there’s still plenty to enjoy, especially in the second half.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you watched Bougainvillea? Share your thoughts and let us know what you think about the film!
Stay tuned to Club4Celebs for more updates.
