'Writer', the Telugu-dubbed version of a Tamil movie by the same name, is streaming on AHA. In this section, we are going to review the cop drama.

Story:

Ranga Raju (Samuthirakani) is a writer at a police station. After a tiff with a superior, he is transferred to Anakapalli as punishment for championing the cause of forming a union for the lower-ranked policemen. Ranga Raju is on the verge of retirement when he is sucked into a mess at the new place. He is asked to guard a young accused student (Harikrishnan) who is kept in custody off record at various places. We sense that something is fishy but what exactly is the conspiracy is known only in the second half.

Can the protagonist and the young accused extricate themselves out of the mess they are in?

Analysis:

Don't be deceived by the title. This film has nothing to do with writing. It's an unconventional cop story where systemic flaws and human flaws go hand in hand. The male protagonist, played by Samuthirakani, has been co-opted by the system. Yet, two months before his retirement, he is struggling hard to unionize the police department. He is aware that the police system was designed by colonialists to serve the powerful and that the system has been kept alive even after Independence. He is an underdog fighting for a key police reform.

Samuthirakani has been playing negative roles in straight Telugu films (read 'Krack', 'Bheemla Nayak', and 'Sarkaru Vaari Paata'). 'Writer' is a different beast where he marshals his subtle acting prowess. He looks every bit sympathetic in the scene where his superior slaps him and humiliates him for fighting for a just cause.

Antony is seen as an ex-convict whose thread doesn't seem to add much to the proceedings. Kavin Jay Babu has done a fine job in a negative role. The entry of Ineya adds a new layer to the drama. GM Sundar, Dileepan, Kavitha Bharathi, Lizzie Antony, and VJ Maheshwari have played supporting roles.

What is admirable about the script is that the writing doesn't give into cliches. No cop behaves like the regular cinema cop. Barring the antagonist, every other person in the police department feels realistic. Director Franklin Jacob takes us through the police department's ways, conversations and other aspects over the course of 150 minutes.

The thread involving the protagonist and his wife is barely there, registering nothing. The subtext of the Dalit assertion is commendable. By the way, Pa. Ranjith has produced the movie.

The portions involving the wronged Andhra University student should have been wrapped up fast. The pacing issues remain. One understands that the film wants us to soak into the drama and the dark theme, yet the sluggish pace is not understandable.

Govind Vasantha's music is adequate. Prathip Kaliraja's cinematography is able, while Manigandan Sivakumar's editing could have been far better.

Verdict:

'Writer' gets its message across with ease. The film takes up a novel storyline and weaves an emotional story. Its slow pace is a minus.