Review of ‘Partners’ Film: Captivates Your Attention Despite Its Imperfections

Dhyan Sreenivasan has recently been striving for a weekly movie release goal. While his dedication is admirable, the reality is that most of these films have been facing significant challenges, struggling to even make it past the first weekend. Breaking away from this streak, Sreenivasan’s latest film, Partners, manages to keep the audience engaged, despite its flaws.

Directed by Naveen John, known for the script of Ira (2018), Partners is a thriller based on financial fraud, drawing inspiration from real-life events. The story revolves around Income Tax Commissioner Parthasaradhi (played by Kalabhavan Shajohn) investigating a scam involving a quiet private bank and one of its branches in rural Kasaragod. The narrative takes us back six months, showcasing the recruitment of five new employees and their efforts to build trust with the locals.

Sanju Sivaram portrays the branch manager Krishna Kumar, while Dhyan Sreenivasan takes on the role of cashier Vishnu Govindan. Devaki Rajendran, Aneesh Gopal, and Dinesh Kollappally play the other three employees. The characters are somewhat simplistic, allowing the actors to navigate through their roles with ease.

Similar to films like Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016) and Angamaly Diaries (2017), Partners aims to capture the essence of life and culture in Kasaragod through an opening song. The Kasaragod backdrop holds significance in the film for various reasons. Kasaragod, distinct from other parts of Kerala, is portrayed as a slow-paced, underdeveloped region. Set in 2005, the film depicts the locals’ excitement about the opening of a bank in their village for the first time, portraying them as somewhat naive. Surrounded by the sea, Kasaragod’s unique location adds depth to the storyline.

In Partners, besides the forced romantic angle between Dhyan and Satna Titus, the film primarily focuses on unraveling a scam and the struggles of those ensnared in it. The first half sets the stage, introducing the story’s world, characters, their dynamics, and the complex conflicts. The pace intensifies in the second half as the characters engage in a gripping cat-and-mouse game, trying to outmaneuver each other.

The narrative unfolds with a series of twists towards the end, but not all are fully developed, revealing a rushed conclusion that lacks clarity. The heist sequences could have benefited from higher production values and technical finesse for a more impactful execution.

While Partners shows promise amidst Dhyan’s recent disappointments, his portrayal in this film lacks depth. Midway through the story, Vishnu’s criminal background is revealed, a facet that could have added intrigue with a stronger performance. Alexander Prasanth shines by skillfully maintaining suspense until the climax, akin to Kevin Spacey’s character in a renowned film centered on ‘suspects.’

Film: Partners

Director: Naveen John

Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Sanju Sivaram, Devaki Rajendran, Kalabhavan Shajohn, Alexander Prasanth

Rating: 2.5/5 stars