Rifle Club Movie Review: Dileesh Pothan-Anurag Kashyap starrer directed by Aashiq Abu is a beautiful concoction of action and style

The motion picture titled “Rifle Club,” featuring a talented ensemble such as Dileesh Pothan and Anurag Kashyap, has made its way to cinemas. Following its debut in theaters on December 19, 2024, the film is now accessible for streaming on the online platform Netflix.

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, here’s a review from TopMob to help you decide if it’s worth your time.

The Plot

The film titled “Rifle Club,” helmed by the talented Malayali director Aashiq Abu, is an entertaining blend of action and comedy, beautifully set against the backdrop of 1990s Wayanad, near the forested regions. Eager to hone his acting abilities, a promising actor from the Malayalam film industry seeks refuge at a hunting lodge in this area, which happens to be owned by a local hunter’s family.

But then, events take an intriguing twist when the actor’s cousin arrives, accompanied by his new girlfriend, after unintentionally killing a gangster’s son in Mangalore. As the gangster’s henchmen track them down to the hunting club, they find themselves confronted by a formidable group of three skilled marksmen. The ensuing chaos promises to escalate, and the remainder of the film revolves around who will make it out alive and how the situation unfolded in the first place.

The Good

The Rifle Club is surprisingly not like a typical Indian action-comedy movie. Instead, it creatively ventures into a genre, weaving a captivating narrative with every passing moment. The film primarily revolves around the deeply rooted hunting culture and the reverence they show towards it.

Rather than traditional Western films from American movies, this film doesn’t follow the usual Wild West setting. Instead, it introduces itself as being set in the Western Ghats region. The film firmly stays true to its theme and location, making it easy for viewers to become acquainted with the area. Additionally, the director skillfully employs characters to play a significant role within the narrative.

The movie avoided relying on common action cliches or character archetypes, as each character stood out uniquely. Whether it was the gun-toting club secretary, the deranged mob boss, or even the family priest, they all leveraged their charisma and had immense depth in their personalities.

Enhanced by outstanding performances from the entire cast, the movie becomes both engaging and delightful to watch. In terms of the cinematic aspects, Director Aashiq Abu, who also handled the camera work, skillfully captured some stunning shots throughout the film.

Or in a shorter form:
The ensemble cast’s brilliant performances make the movie fun to watch, while Aashiq Abu’s skilled direction and camera work create visually impressive moments.

In this rephrased version, I’ve attempted to convey the same meaning while using more natural and conversational language:

Rex Vijayan’s stunning visuals, along with his masterful use of music, beautifully encapsulate the film’s overall feel. The sharp editing by V Saajan adds to this immersion, seamlessly transporting viewers into a world filled with guns.

The Bad

Though the film stands out in many cinematic elements, its narrative falls short due to a rather thin storyline. The sequence of events depicted within the movie unfolds within a brief timeframe – a day or two, making it seem disjointed as key plot developments and synchronization occur unexpectedly.

While the movie boasts impressive technical aspects that create a visually stunning experience, its disorganized narrative might be a turn-off for certain viewers. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall impact of the film.

The Performance

In an extraordinary fashion, the movie titled “Rifle Club” defies traditional comparisons between performances as no single one outshines the rest. While there might not be a standard of comparison in play, the film skillfully ties each role to the ideal actor for that part.

As a devoted follower, I find myself immersed in the narrative where Dileesh Pothan gracefully takes on the role of our club’s secretary, managing the responsibilities with finesse. In this story, Vijayaraghavan, an elderly figure, portrays the brooding yet insightful patriarch of our esteemed club.

Moreover, Anurag Kashyap, making his Malayalam cinematic debut, brings a wild energy that is truly captivating. Notably, Vani Viswanath, who returned to the screen after a long break, powerfully reaffirms her talent for action-oriented roles, reminding us all of why she was once highly regarded in this field.

To my delight, and alongside numerous other significant contributors, the captivating character portrayed by Vineeth Kumar took me aback, particularly during the climactic scenes. It was truly unexpected!

See the official trailer for Rifle Club:

The Verdict

Previously discussed, the Rifle Club stands out as a distinct and creative production in the realm of action-comedy films within the Indian cinematic universe. This captivating production serves up an enjoyable experience by skillfully blending high-octane action sequences with stylish flair.

If you’re a fan of classic Western movies or enjoy high-action films filled with gunfights, then this movie is an ideal choice for you.

Read More

2025-01-28 12:08