Footage Reviews Out: Experimental Film Falters At Writing (image:instagram.com/manju.warrier)

Footage is editor Saiju Sreedharan’s debut directorial. It is presented as the first ‘found-footage’ feature film in Malayalam cinema. The movie, which was released today, has been receiving mixed reviews so far. While the movie is getting appreciation for the technical brilliance, treatment, and performance of the actors, writing falters and initial responses denote.

“Footage excels as an experimental film, with fine performances from the lead actors, particularly Manju Warrier,” the South First writes. The movie stands out as an experimental film and adds that the script written by Shabha Muhammed and Saiju Sreedharan is “quite experimental”. Centered around unraveling mystery behind Manju Warrier’s character, the movie delves into themes such as moral policing and live-in relationships, the reviewer observes.

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“Saiju Sreedharan pushes the envelope with this edgy, immersive thriller,” OTTplay writes. The review lauded the movie for precise editing and immersive experience it offers. “What truly makes Footage a standout film is its immersive experience. It’s a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat during its most thrilling portions,” it adds. The sound department, capturing all the sounds in the truest sense has also made it “an absolute must-watch experience.”

Meanwhile, while applauding ‘found-footage’ format, social media opines that Footage stretched a short film subject into a movie format.

Star Talkies observes: “Technically, it’s appreciable for SOUND. Narrative wise. It starts off well, but gets stagnated after a certain point of time. It’s a short film concept, which suffers as a full length feature film due to unconvincing screenplay.”

#Footage Review – Malayalam Cinema owns a speciality of experimenting with new genres. This film introduces the ‘Found Footage Genre’.

Technically, it’s appreciable for SOUND.

Narrative wise. It starts off well, but gets stagnated after a certain point of time.

It’s a short… pic.twitter.com/gxq8l2sa3X

— Star Talkies (@startalkies_ofl) August 23, 2024

“Using a different style for narration was commendable but the poor writing and stone faced performances spoiled the party. Manju did her part well,” Mollywood BoxOffice tweets.

#Footage :

Using a different style for narration was commendable but the poor writing and stone faced performances spoiled the party. Manju did her part well. Hopefully another bomb loading at KBO.

Below Average pic.twitter.com/6HEtqKlnrA

— Mollywood BoxOffice (@MollywoodBo1) August 23, 2024

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Front Row writes: “Despite a different narrative style the poor writing and lead paid’s track make the film difficult to sit through. Manju Warrier is fine. Below average movie.”

#Footage : Despite a different narrative style the poor writing and lead paid’s track make the film difficult to sit through. Manju Warrier is fine. Below average movie. Skip it pic.twitter.com/x4jdtGeCRd

— Front Row (@FrontRowTeam) August 23, 2024