Though I found the story engaging, I was bothered by a few pacing issues, and I wish more attention was paid to the other departments as well. But then The Priest is not to be seen as an acting exercise. Everyone seems like mere props to drive the plot forward and do nothing else. As for the rest of the performances, there is nothing much to write home about. However, that bit isn't as impactful as one hopes. Beneath the layers of intrigue and twists, this is a story anchored by an emotional core. However, I was surprised in spite of having seen it before.Īlthough the film's title is The Priest, this is a story of three women who are united in the most extraordinary way possible. I won't say its name, but there is an Indian film that has traversed similar territory before.
The film is at its smartest when it comes to revealing its surprises, even though they have been presented in other films in a different way. Again, you get a twist, this time in the finale, that explains what is what. Similarly, there is another portion post-interval that gets you asking the same question. You may find yourself questioning its relevance, but then the interval provides the answer.
The Priest has probably the longest prologue ever seen in Malayalam cinema. But later on, Benedict tells you that it's only the beginning. To avoid spoilers, I'll just say that the film lets you believe at first that it is dealing with a single case. We get more than three twists, the best one coming during the interval. Cast: Mammootty, Nikhila Vimal, Manju Warrier, Saniya Iyyappan