Review of TIFF 2019 movie 'The Elder One'

#enigmaticCharacters; #flashbackTechnique; #OpenEndedStory

​Toronto, Sept 19 (Canadian-Media): Directed by Mohandas Geetu, 2019 TIFF movie 'The Elder One' revolves around the basic idea of search, whether it is a search of the lost relative, Geetu's search for characters to fit the plot of the movie, or the characters' search for their lost identity.  

The plot of the story is about the two siblings who leave the small island of Lakshadweep, each with a different motive. Akbar (Nivin Pauley), the actor leaves the island to go to Mumabai in search of a good job and Molly (Sanjana Deepu) leaves for Mumbai in search of Akbar.

Akbar/Image credit: TIFF

The development of the varied and intrigued characters is very well done by Geetu,  but the flashback technique used for the development of the plot of the story with so much stuff packed in a small interval of time, sometimes makes it difficult for the viewers to discern the connecting links. For example reason for Akbar's departure for Mumbai is shown in flashback.  

The open ending of the story showing the smile and expression of joy on Mulla's face juxtaposed with the tragic collapse of Akbar when he realized that he could not save Mulla was very well picturised by the use of a catalyst.

The violence shown in the movie is sometimes too much but it truly reflects the underworld represented in the movie. The world of cruelty and abuse to which both Akbar and Mulla fall prey and what these people have to do to earn their living is a true representation of the poverty of Mumbai and the underworld life.​

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)