Pendulum

Most newbie/low-budget efforts in Malayalam tend to paint themselves in various shades of cringe and boredom, and honestly speaking, I sat down to watch Pendulum thinking here's one more to add to the 2023 dumpster fire list. But here's a fresh (and rooted) effort, and it even features the interesting concepts of lucid & shared dreams. The film unfolds through events happening across different timelines, yet somehow connected. Think of it like 3 parallel lines drawn on a sheet of paper that intersect purely by way of "dreaming." The segment that features Shobi Thilakan is the best no doubt, and it's a testament to the actor's mannerisms reminding you of the LATE, GREAT Thilakan, along with his unmatchable voice.

However, it's Dr. Mahesh (Vijay Babu) who carries the plot forward in an investigative style. The developments in these portions are intriguing, to say the least. While some elements remain questionable due to the absence of a scientific explanation, the writing keeps you fascinated. Compared to the rest of the film, the ending feels FLAT AS HELL, and it almost gave me déjà vu (of DQ's Salute; only in the sense of a half-baked, convenient finish to a wonderfully concocted plot). Nonetheless, I'll give props for the attempt. Rejin S. Babu, you have my attention. Big shoutout to the guy for handling those dream sequences with panache, especially since the budget was tight.