Penguin (2020) Movie Review - Telugu Version

On Amazon Prime Video, another direct OTT platform movie has dropped in named Penguin. The combination of Keerthy Suresh and Karthik Subbaraj has attracted audiences to the film. It is also the first film of Keerthy Suresh after the masterpiece Mahanati which took her to new heights. So, how did I feel about the film? Let's find out.

Penguin is a 2020 mystery thriller drama starring Keerthy Suresh, Lingaa and Madhampatty Rangaraj in lead roles. It is directed by Eashvar Karthick. The story revolves around Rhythm, who loses her first child in a mysterious scenario and when her second child is also in danger, she will protect them no matter what.

This film is an improvement to Pon Magal Vandhal, the other Tamil release on Amazon Prime. The thriller element is good in the film and from the minute the lead actress appears on the screen, we are engaged to the film. The writing in the film is very good. From the word 'go', it is gripping and holds our attention for long. It may take time for some to make sense of what is happening but afterwards, it is a solid thriller. It has some flaws. Consider these my flaws. So, this film follows this formula of psycho thrillers constructed nowadays in Indian Cinema. The beginning where the killer kills somebody, the introduction of the lead, some characters around him, some killing by the psycho killer, some clues and the case solving. This film follows this template but to remain different it has two endings in it. One from the formula and then the twist upon it. It makes sense but I have a question? Why? The twist of the film derived from another thriller HIT - The First Case has some issues and does not 100% satisfaction to the audience. Also, the element of Rhythm (Keerthy Suresh) having two husbands never goes anywhere and is pointless in the grand scheme of things. So, overall it is a good thriller but due to the formula it uses, it is not so fresh.

POSITIVES:

1. Keerthy Suresh : This film has a limited cast and only Keerthy Suresh stands out in the bunch. It has several reasons. One is that I am not familiar with them and the second is that they serve their roles instead of owning them. Keerthy Suresh on the other hand, nailed the mother sentiment of her role. She is in fine form after the life-changing performance she gave in Mahanati. The love of a mother, the grief and trauma she faces after the missing of her child and the revenge she takes all is well done by the actor. She is one of the pillars of the film.
2. The cinematography : This film is shot in the Nilgiris. So, the cinematographer gets ample scope to show the beauty of the city. While doing that, he makes use of mist and smoke to install a sense of fear in us with those same locations. It also has some modern style framing inspired from Wes Anderson in the film which adds to the good cinematography.
3. The Score : As I always say, a good thriller is incomplete without good BGM. Santhosh Narayanan known for his BGM in Kabali of course gives a very different sounding thriller BGM. All scores sound unique and also boost the situation in the film.
4. The mother message : This film should take full marks for the message of how a mother loves his son/daughter and will dare to risk their lives just to save them. The thriller formula of the film also gets slightly altered because of this very message. 

NEGATIVES:

1. The Dub : The dialogue for the dub is very basic and some words in Telugu are mispronounced. It says that this film is shot simultaneously in both languages. That really bogged the film experience down. The dub is dead before it even began.
2. The plot holes: Without revealing spoilers, there are smaller issues in the film if you dig deeply.

Overall, I would say that this film might had have a decent run in theatres if the situation was okay. This film is a good thriller with a good thrill factor, a good performance by Keerthy Suresh and a good BGM by Santhosh Narayanan. But, minor plot holes, the crappy Telugu dialogue and the formulaic nature of the film brings the film down to being just good. Watch it on Amazon Prime.

My Rating : 7.5/10