Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018) Poster

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8/10
Bewildered a new auspicious entity
sudhakaranakhilan20 April 2018
Yes, of-course when I'm talking about this movie which hit on theaters recently I'm very much fascinated about the technical aspects rather more than the plot engaged in it. As I'm pointed the new auspicious entity which embarks me it's a new kind of output came from malayalam film industry and a varied path of cinematic technique followed by Lijo jose Pelliserry through out his film. It's not an imitation or a copying but it was an enigma of inspiration that he carried when he was with Lijo. Tinu Pappachan, the director along with the Cinematographer Girish Gangadharan he just bombarded each visuals into the utmost level that we were witnessed in Angamaly Dairies. Colloquially, this movie amazed me with the visuals.
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8/10
Gritty, Fast and an uncompromising Jailbreak movie.
CobertNeede31 March 2018
There aren't much jailbreak movies in Malayalam to reference to. So it might not be a surprise to say that Swathanthriyam Ardharathriyil is probably the best jailbreak movie Mollywood has produced till date.

Girish brilliantly captures the helplessness of the inmates, the dirty toilets and the rain that wets the yards during every stumble or conflict Jacob goes through. This, paired with Deepak Alexander's deep-drum back ground score, gives a gritty feel to the audience, who could easily understand the frustration and exasperation every character goes through.

Deepak's score also adds to the stylish element of the film, producing a slo-mo shot every five minutes. As much like slo-mo scenes are a trend in Mollywood and considering how much people hate it, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil has done a work well with the amount of time provided.

The events that lead one thing to another and how the titular character, played by Antony Varghese is caught by the police are comical and almost satisfying. The scenes with the riots and how Jacob's lover is admitted to a Mental Hospital are very well etched out and executed.

The second half definitely fared better than the first, considering how lame the vfx scenes were and how poor the dialogues were delivered from one to another. The last 15-20 minutes of the first half is where the real thrilling element of the film kicks in. Needless to say, the film's climax and the subsequent revelations to the audience is a well done work indeed.

The acting was unprecedented. Antony, Vinayakan, Chemban Vinod, all performed majestically and in some where we are unable to decide whether they really do have a camera in front of them.

Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil borrows themes from almost every jailbreak movie and combines it into one big plethora of stylishness and grittiness. Just like any Jailbreak movie, the lead characters form a group, take out a plan and deliver a cunning twist to the audience. And in Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil , you really do feel the awesomeness.
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7/10
Freedom from India
PimpinAinttEasy2 April 2018
Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil is definitely worth a watch. It might lack the finesse of Angamali Diaries. The film is too over the top. The catchy background score is overused. Some of the twists are a bit hard to believe. The acting is unremarkable in places. Issues with sound recording made some dialogs indecipherable. There are a few loose ends - like how did Anthony Varghese's character become such an expert on jail breaks and lay out of the jail compound?

But the continued entry of new characters and the changing line up of prisoners in the jail cell is entertaining. The interactions (sometimes deadly) between the prisoners is often quite amusing. A line up of mean looking actors has been assembled and they make this film one of the most belligerent in recent times.

The scene in the car wash reminded me of The Seven-Ups (1973).

Nearly 60% of the Angamali Diaries cast makes an appearance. Vinayakan and Chemban Vinod Jose standout among the supporting cast.

Also, I do not think many people grasped the provocative subject matter. The title is borrowed from a famous non-fiction book about India's partition. In the movie, the protagonist longs to escape not just from jail, but also from India which has turned into a communal hellhole.

It is a relentlessly entertaining prison escape film. Tinnu Pappachan is a director whose next film I will definitely watch.

(7/10)
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Great movie.
dittojohn1 May 2018
Happy to see malayalam movies setting bench marks.
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9/10
Entertaining Seat edge thriller
adhil-671262 June 2021
A complete entertainment ride...if u like jail breaking movies ,ull definitely like this.entertaining as fk..no lag no boring scenes..fully engaging action thriller...one of my favourite movies...
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9/10
Great movie
gireesh-prasad8128 April 2018
Must say a good movie out of all the movies released this april. Good story line. Great action sequence. Worth to watch..
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7/10
Molecule Review: Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (7 stars)
nairtejas25 June 2018
The raw and edgy surface of Tinu Pappachan's Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil takes the front seat in his attempt to describe a classic jailbreak recreated using elements that we have seen before. It is not Anthony Varghese, who plays a patient convict eager to escape prison, nor his co-stars who shine throughout the film, but the gritty actions and stunts that fill this envelope made of superficial aspiration. I understand what the makers wanted to develop here, and considering that I finished it with some interesting takeaways, I can say they succeeded. Coupled with hitting rock music, unconventional cinematography, and a basic non-linear narrative, director Pappachan etches a story that is run of the mill but does it in a way that will entertain the hell out of you. I was enthralled by the way the characters talk, using slangs and deadpan expressions like they are talking at a tea stall on a Sunday evening talking shop, or rather how they were made to talk by Pappachan. Which is why I have given at least one extra star here for the brilliant effort. I was hooked for more than two hours in the film, but then was a bit disappointed in how the thriller ends. Even if I do not talk about the multitude of plotholes, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil still remains a film far from perfect. But, hey, it is a rare try at a jailbreak film in Malayalam cinema, which is why it comes highly recommended. Watch for the rawness of jail life, amazing performances by Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Rajesh Sharma, Sinoj Varghese, Vinayakan, and a couple new faces, and the brilliant soundtrack. TN.
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10/10
A Must Watch Malayalam Movie
santhu-745416 May 2018
Must Watch Movie - Awesome movie with the perfection in direction, casting , color combination and plot selection
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6/10
Just a remake of Escape from Alcatraz
toby_philips9 May 2022
Not sure if you watched this late seventies classic. Worth watching once, just for the making skills and some good performances from Pepe, vinkayakan, and chemaban.
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10/10
Super
rintovj24 June 2018
Thrilling movie till end Super camera work and direction. Good movie
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8/10
Men movie
jithinvenusstar1 September 2018
A real Men movie Watch it Boys Lead roles are good Slow motion makes remembrance of Amal neerad movies Main story line looks like a copy of famous English movie but all over its power packed
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1/10
The Great escape !!
yedu-2592423 April 2018
This movie is an outright adaptation of 1963 classic "the Great escape" with certain plot changes.. I don't remember watching a thank you note to the team of Great escape..where it was due high time !!

That being said, one should appreciate Cinematographer for a splendid work behind the lens and the background score was very appropriate to the plot.. Actors were very average and menial.. Perhaps, Mr. Vinayakan did a better job than the rest.

So, the bottomline.. If you ever watched "The great escape" you would be just wishing you never watched it.. if you haven't.. Go ahead and watch it, probably you may like it !!
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10/10
Awesome
jacobthomasnid22 May 2019
Top class cinematography. Top class editing. Awesome cast. Top class performances even by the junior artists. Entertaining. Value for money.
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2/10
The Great Escape
soorajuj1 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is cut and copy of "The Great Escape" if you seen that movie you wouldn't like this movie....
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1/10
Failure.
MatthewKay0072 February 2019
First of all the main character doesn't show any emotions on his face. He needs to lean how to live the scene instead of just saying the dialogues with a straight face. Chemban Vinod and Vinayakan did their part with brilliance. Everyone else was just static. This movie felt like just some scenes stitched together without any kind emotional connection to the audience. Soundtrack and background scores comes in and goes without any relevance to the scene. Overall this is a flop. A very good story ruined by poor acting, screenplay and direction.
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4/10
The last 15 minutes takes a nose dive.
hiflyplane3 September 2021
There is a slow burning build up. In the third act, there is a dragging the whole cast. Last act, is a quick wrap let's get to the finish line. Intent may have been good, appears to be out of ideas mid stream onwards.
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