Koode Review: Go on an emotional journey with Prithviraj, Nazriya and Parvathy

Anjali Menon's new movie is a brilliant portrayal of life in all its different shades, supported by an excellent cast.

The unconditional love of parents for their children, the unspoken bond between siblings, the first flush of college romance, the emotional trauma of an unwanted touch, the scars of a marriage turned sour hidden behind a high neck blouse, the quiet passion between two soul mates, the special relationship between a teacher and student - Anjali Menon truly depicts her skill by encapsulating a zillion emotions within the short span of a two and a half hour long movie in Koode.
Menon's adaptation of Sachin Kundalkar's Marathi film Happy Journeys, stars the multi-talented trio of Prithviraj, Nazriya and Parvathy, ably supported by an excellent ensemble cast each of whom remain with you long after the movie is over.
The story of a young man Joshua, (played to perfection by Prithviraj) whose familial sense of duty takes him away from his home and his loved ones is one which a viewer can connect with on many levels. What is it that you hold close to yourself, koode, as you go along in this life? Is it the deep sense of resentment over words unspoken and emotions stifled: or family bonds sacrificed at the altar of duty; or the deep love of a sibling that's left unspoken during one's lifetime but comes to haunt you later. or the festering wounds of an abusive marriage or the pure joy of finding a partner to share your life? Koode works on many levels just like the layers of mists that hang over a bucolic Ooty (kudos to cinematographer Littil Swayamp who captures it all so beautifully) where Aloshy (director Renjith) and his wife Lilly (Parvathy T) lead a picture perfect life with their young son Joshua and daughter Jenny till a tragedy tears apart the family.

Prithviraj's Joshua, battling inner demons, is able to convey through angst-ridden eyes and his subtle body language so much more than what words could ever communicate; even as Jenny (Nazriya in a brilliant comeback post her wedding to Fahadh Faasil) compensates for her sibling's silence through her incessant chatter and Sophie (Parvathy) with her quiet presence shines as the abused woman who finds solace in her childhood friend.
Carpe Diem is the message that comes through strongly at the end of the movie - as the wise Jenny tells the melancholy Joshua at one point, what's done is done, the future is yet to come; so live in the present.
Koode is a movie that makes you smile with tenderness one minute, sob your heart out the next; laugh out loud at one point and blink back tears the next. Finally it makes you question who or what will you carry along with you, koode, in this life? 
Director: Anjali Menon
Cast: Prithviraj, Parvathy, Nazriya
Rating: 4 out of 5
ambica@khaleejtimes.com

• South Stars