Based on Lajo Jose’s novel Ruthinte Lokam and directed by Amal Neerad, Bougainvillea is a 135-minute Malayalam thriller with a gripping premise. It that hit theatres in October 2024 and is now streaming on Sony Liv. Can it keep you engaged till the end?
Storyline
A married couple’s relaxing drive turns tragic after a car accident. Fast-forward eight years, and we see them tucked away in a bungalow in the hilly area of Kottayam. Reethu, the wife, suffers from retrograde amnesia and struggles to piece together her life with the help of written notes, her husband Dr. Royce Thomas, and their devoted maid, Rema.
As Reethu grapples with hallucinations and is unable to distinguish them from reality, she finds solace in her canvas and paintbrushes. However, she always ends up painting Bougainvillea flowers. Just when you think this is going to be a slow psychological drama, a missing girl case brings the police to their doorstep. And that’s when things get twisty.
What is the mystery behind the Bougainvillea flowers? Why is the police wanting to question Reethu? Is there more beyond a missing girl?
Our critique
The movie reminds of Kishkindha Kaandam, where a similar play of memory loss was used to keep us guessing. The film’s first half is a slow burn, with a growing suspense. The setup is solid, and you’ll find yourself rooting for this unfortunate couple. But when the investigation starts, the momentum builds, and the film leans into its thriller direction. But by the time the killer is revealed and the motives come tumbling out, the excitement dissolves. The flashback that’s meant to carry emotional weight feels feeble, and the climax, despite its action-packed composition, is stretched and predictable. It leaves a khoda pahaad, nikla chuha kind of feeling.
The direction is okay, editing could have been better. Soundtrack and camerawork match the film’s mood.
Screen Performances
Jyothirmayi makes a smashing comeback after nearly a decade, effortlessly portraying Reethu’s helplessness and confusion. Kunchacko Boban does justice to Dr. Royce in the film’s first half, but gets overshadowed by the story’s uneven pacing. And Fahadh Faasil is underused as the investigating cop— his role never gets the arc because it is inconsequential.
Overall opinion
Bougainvillea is a film that blossoms with promise but withers away with time. While the mystery keeps you invested for a while, the second half leaves you short of expectations. You can watch it for Jyothirmayi’s performance, but don’t expect much from the narrative.
Our rating
