‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ movie review: Girish AD works his magic yet again in Nivin Pauly-Mamitha Baiju starrer

Of all the things Justin (Nivin Pauly) and Ashley (Mamitha Baiju), the protagonists of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, bond over, music is perhaps what triggers the initial spark. He dusts off an old cassette player, and she brings in her box of cherished old audio cassettes, which she refused to leave behind when her strict mother asked her to while shifting houses. She is surprised that he has heard of the alternative rock band ‘Breeders’, her favourite. It changes her serious, old-man image of him.

When Ashley lands in this neighbourhood with her family, reluctant to leave her small home in the village, she is a little circumspect and even melancholic, as one of the characters puts it. Soon, she gels in, as if she has found her tribe. Girish AD does something similar with the audience. He places us firmly amid this bunch of closely-knit characters, all with relatable qualities, quirks and failings, making us feel as if we are among a group of our own friends. It also feels as if everyone here, except Ashley and her family have known each other all their lives, for such is the easy camaraderie and the sharpness of the repartees.

His organic flow is visible in the many relatable situations too, which hardly seem scripted. It is a joy to watch a filmmaker, writers, and a set of actors so in sync with each other that they play off each other’s strengths. Be it Roshan Shanavas, Suresh Krishna, Shameer, Sangeeth Prathap, Shyam Mohan, or Bindu Panicker or any of the others who play smaller characters, almost everyone has something which leaves a mark, in the form of a memorable line or an expression which evokes laughter. For that matter, humour is peppered throughout the film, even in the seemingly grim or emotional scenarios in the climax. The many cheeky references to contemporary films are also seamlessly woven in. Vishnu Vijay’s music gets the feel of the movie. 

The depiction of the age-gap relationship between Justin and Ashley could have easily gone wrong, if not for the delicate handling by the writers, ably supported by the actors. Not for a moment does it fall into an awkward space. The whole movie feels like a gentle persuasion to make us believe this relationship isn’t wrong, as society believes. Nivin and Mamitha share a sparkling chemistry, melting our thoughts about the age gap. 

ALSO READ: ‘Premalu’ movie review: Girish AD’s youthful drama is a winner with its fresh, humorous treatment of a run-of-the-mill story

Mamitha’s character is totally unlike Reenu in Girish AD’s Premalu or any of her other recent roles, and it is a credit to the actor’s adaptability that she could easily bring a fresh spin to most of these roles. After finding form last in Sarvam Maya, Nivin Pauly yet again works up his natural charm to full effect.

Girish AD is one of the most interesting filmmakers in Malayalam cinema, especially for the endless supply of relatable, humorous situations that propel his films, where the stories are not out of the ordinary. Bethlehem Kudumba Unit certainly ranks among his best, alongside Premalu and Thanneer Mathan Dinangal.