Alone review: Mohanlal saves this movie with a rather weak script

Mohanlal’s Alone finally is out in the theatres. The movie, made during the Covid-19 pandemic, was meant to have an OTT premiere. But the makers decided to go for a theatrical release, though the director hinted that it may have a lag.

Alone is yet another movie with Mohanlal playing the role of Kalidas, the only character that appears on-screen in the whole film.

He is seen communicating with people over the phone. Their voices can be identified as that of Prithviraj Sukumaran, Siddique, Manju Warrier, Nadu, Suresh Krishna, etc.

Sunny‘s successor

Before Alone, Jayasurya-starrer Sunny premiered via Amazon Prime in 2021. It also had a single title character Sunny played by Jayasurya.

Now, Alone is also set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 lockdown, on the lines of Sunny.

Alone is an experimental attempt that can be put under the horror genre. After 10 minutes, it gives the audience the impression of being a horror movie.

These assumptions are the only hook for the audience to sit inside the theatre for around two hours.

Kalidas is a motivational speaker who is travelling to Kochi from Coimbatore during the Covid-19 lockdown.

A drunkard, the hallucinations he experiences in his flat form the first half and how he overcomes the situation form the second half.

The highlights

As a motivational speaker, Kalidas spreads a message to his clients which can also be interpreted as a message to the audience.

Hallucinations and how common people must have been affected by this gets a mention in the movie. An investigation of a murder, which is a real case or an unreal one, is the highlight.

Director Shaji Kailas is a master in thrillers and Alone can also be put under this category. He once again roped in Don Max, who earlier collaborated with him for Tiger, Time, and Chinthamani Kola Case, as the editor.

There are many instances for fans to cheer even though the movie has a single actor, thanks to the editor.

The director is on a successful spree after Kaduva and Kaapa, both starring Prithviraj in lead roles, became hits.

But Alone is a different take from the director who is known for mass movies. He joined hands with Mohanlal after Red Chillies (2008). Mohanlal has a similar look in Alone as that of Red Chillies.

#Alone #ShajiKailas @antonypbvr @aashirvadcine pic.twitter.com/hXV7xRJxPK

— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) January 26, 2023

How Mohanlal fared

Shaji Kailas-Mohanlal films have a formula which includes action, songs, and punch-lines. However, Alone is something different considering these factors.

Mohanlal carries this movie. His looks, his charisma, and his energy make Alone watchable.

Otherwise, the script by Rajesh Jayaraman doesn’t offer anything new. The same kind of storyline has been used in various other languages.

Butterfly effect

The movie speaks about the Butterfly Effect, but it doesn’t have much impact on the project.

In the film, Kalidas is seen investigating the murder of two people through his contacts. The movie works in parts since Mohanlal is a superstar.

The script is weak though. But it does justice to the facts and proves that the story is happening during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The background music composed by 4 Musics gives some pace to the movie. It’s a decent, not excellent though.

The cinematography is done by Abhinandam Ramanujan and Pramod K Pillai.

Since most of the movie is shot inside an apartment and its surroundings, these two people didn’t have many challenges to take up.

Verdict

Alone is a mix of many genres which works in parts, but could have been good without gimmicks. It is a one-time watch!