Ugly Story Movie Review: The tense pause at the end had the power of saying it all. This tension is what Ugly Story thrives on – no one in the theatre was truly at ease anymore. Through a smudged-up love triangle and a steady stream of plot developments, the film gradually gets darker, rather than resorting to gimmicks found in thrillers. The experiences are led by a deeply unsettling performance as Karthik from Nandu Vijay Krishna, whose obsession is always at the edge of emotional desperation and the dangerous instability. Avika Gor’s vulnerability and fear also play off of that intensity, in some scenes adding an edge of melodrama, which is surprising. The music doesn’t stick in the mind, but the overall ambiance and tone gradually creates a feeling of uneasiness, which helps the film. Although some sections are more awkward than others, Ugly Story is a success because it is willing to be fearless in its depraved inner feelings.
The core of the plot of this film is the emotional battle between Karthik, Neha and Gautham. Neha is fond of Gautham and Karthik has been a kid longing for Neha’s attention. Karthik’s deeply disturbed personality is what makes the story seem so unsettling, while at the same time being intriguing. His emotional frailty and risky obsessions are a constant source of instability and this is exploited to great effect to maintain the tension within the film. The film slowly starts to reveal what lengths Karthik is willing to go to in order to win Neha and that’s its best part.
Ugly Story is undoubtedly the best one thanks to Nandu Vijay Krishna’s performance as Karthik. It was a really weird and difficult characterization that I felt I was doing for him in recent years. He is so into the character of a possessive and psychopath, that Karthik is disturbing and emotional. His last 20 minutes really take his play to another level. The climax bits are intriguing in their emotions and Nandu delivers them with a fine touch. He’s not the most dynamic screen actor, but his presence doesn’t diminish the story when the film slows down a bit here and there. I could tell that the film was being made with his character arc in mind, and that’s a good thing because it does.
Avika Gor (Neha) too has a decent performance in the emotional moments of the film. I enjoyed how she handled the aspects of fear, confusion and emotional helplessness and did not overdo it. Her scenes with Nandu do pretty well because both actors keep their characters’ emotional strain throughout the film believable. The chemistry between the two leads might not be the usual romantic kind, but it suits the story’s approach. The chemistry between Neha and Gautham is also one of the highlights of the film and contributes to the film’s emotional tension.
Audiences should also be warned that the film is rated ‘adult’ and has a number of ’18+’ scenes. I will say this honestly, I felt some of those scenes would make family audiences uncomfortable. The film’s definitely intended for an adult audience and the producers aren’t afraid to get graphic when they feel they need to. It’s certainly something to consider if you’re thinking of watching it with family.
In terms of action, the movie does well. I did not find the songs particularly memorable, but they never become a major distraction either. The background music does, however, help the thriller tone to work well and adds to the suspense in some important moments. The cinematography is also commendable as it does not break the visual tone, which is also dark and uneasy. I found the interval block and second half twists to be great fun. The film keeps going until the end with many of the turns coming out of nowhere. There are some of the pivotal moments in the second half that actually do function well and do not lose impact due to the escalating tension.
I was still in the film after it was over, it was the character played by Karthik. I can’t list out all the roles Nandu Vijay Krishna has performed over the years, but this certainly ranks among them. The film is not perfect, and some parts are a bit overstretched, but the psychological depth, the emotional turmoil and a strong ending make Ugly Story a must-see for those that enjoy extreme thrillers.
In all, I think Ugly Story is a much stronger film than some of the newer romances of the same genre, by dedicating itself completely to its dark emotional side and having a few moments that actually engage the audience. You do not have to be a big drama buff to enjoy this film because this film is perfect for those who like drama, with unpredictable characters and strong climax payoffs.
Rating: 3.5/5
