Movie Review: Daveed
The Malayalam film industry has seen its fair share of action heroes, but few have truly defined the genre like Jayan, Babu Antony, and Suresh Gopi. Now, Antony Varghese, known as Pepe, steps into the spotlight with his role in Daveed, directed by Govind Vishnu. This film sees him take on the character of Ashiq Abu, a boxer, and it’s arguably his best performance to date.
Abu is a carefree man living off his wife Sherin’s earnings, mostly spending time with his young daughter, Safa, and his uncle, Kochappa. Life changes when he accidentally knocks out a world boxing champion, Sainul Akhmadov, at an event. This unexpected victory leads to a challenge from Akhmadov, pushing Abu to train hard and prove himself as a hero for his daughter.
The premise of Daveed has promise, drawing inspiration from the classic Rocky. However, the dramatic elements don’t quite hold up throughout. While the action scenes are energetic and engaging, the storytelling struggles with character development and emotional depth.
The film spends a considerable amount of time building its world, but the writing often feels flat. This makes it hard to form a connection with characters like Sherin, who supports Abu while carrying the household’s burdens. The film misses chances to explore her character, leaving viewers with questions about her motivations.
Even with new characters entering the fray, the dialogue and emotional arcs lack substance. Abu’s past is hinted at but never explored in depth, making it hard to feel invested in his journey. The weaker dialogues do little to enhance the film’s narrative flow.
Yet, the performances are commendable. Antony Varghese brings sincerity to his role, showing significant physical transformation and skill in boxing. Vijayaraghavan shines as Raghavan Aashaan, even if his character feels underwritten. Lijomol Jose as Sherin delivers a strong performance, but some supporting roles lack impact.
On the technical side, the cinematography falls short, with clunky tilt shots and missing the visual pulse during key moments. The editing struggles to elevate the narrative, and although the background score adds some excitement during fight scenes, it remains average overall. However, the production design stands out, adding a layer of visual appeal.
Overall, Daveed brings thrilling action sequences but falters in storytelling and character depth. It’s a mixed bag that showcases some impressive performances yet leaves much to be desired in terms of writing.
Cast: Antony Varghese Pepe, Lijomol Jose, Vijayaraghavan, Mo Ismail, Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese
Director: Govind Vishnu
Rating: 2.5 stars
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