Naval Enna Jewel Malayalam Movie

Feature Film | 2017 | U | Thriller, Family Drama
Critics:
Audience:
There are glimpses of excellence in the making and the story, but this tale of women's battle for survival is not devoid of unnecessary drama. A better revision of the script would have brought back the lost sheen.
Aug 19, 2017 By K. R. Rejeesh


"Nawal Enna Jewel" (Nawal the Jewel) addresses a lot of serious issues being faced by women through the lives of two characters. It also covers topics like marrying off teen girls from poor families to aged people, who come from the Gulf seeking alliance. Then it talks about women empowerment, disparity in wages, curtailment of freedom and harassment. Two prisoners-- Nawal Al Amir (Reem Kadem) and Reena David (Anjali Upasana), who have been sentenced to death, unfold the pangs and struggle meted out to them by their male counterparts. Renjilal Damodaran presents through them the real pathetic situation of women even in a progressive society.


The director rightly criticizes orthodox religious values that sever her wings as well as desires. Asma Beevi (Shwetha Menon) from a Malabar district gets married to an old man from Iran and leaves for the country. (In fact, Anu Sithara beautifully essays the teenage period of this character, who, surprisingly, does not object to the marriage). Then the story shifts to Asma's daughter Nawal, a poet and interior designer, who now lives with her grandfather in the Middle East. In a particular situation she kills Mushthaq Hussain (Adil Hussain), an IB officer.


The director and V.K. Ajithkumar co-write the script. Renjilal focuses on Nawal and her perspectives about freedom. Albeit you agree with the director for his relevant story, the unwanted artificial and philosophical conversations create a bland ambience. Its limitations as a drama are obvious even in an interesting climax. As the film talks from women's point of view, the objectivity loses its true colour and puts the so-called male chauvinism in bad light.


US-born Reem Kadem of Iraqi origin brilliantly portrays Nawal. It is her emphatic versatility that brings out the two stages of the character convincingly. Viewers are entranced by her restrained emotions and swift acclimatization with a new language. Meanwhile, Shwetha Menon has a vital role and it's surprising.


Jobby James lends his aesthetic sense to the visuals and M. Jayachandran's tunes are appealing. Besides, the background score by Eddie Torres is remarkable.


There are glimpses of excellence in the making and the story, but this tale of women's battle for survival is not devoid of unnecessary drama. A better revision of the script would have brought back the lost sheen.


K. R. Rejeesh

   

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