Charlie (2015) Movie Review

When I come across a movie as magical as this one, which is rare for me, I feel compelled to write about it, if only to retain the charm longer.

Charlie is a Malayalam movie that beautifully showcases many of the picturesque landscapes of Kerala, India. The story begins with Tessa, a spontaneous and free-spirited artist and backpacker, returning to her hometown to celebrate a family function. She faces criticism from her elders about being of age and not yet married, but she defiantly shows that she's above societal expectations and sneaks away.

She rents an apartment arranged by a friend, which was previously occupied by a mysterious artist. The room is filled with an abundance of paraphernalia, toys, and artworks.

The movie is a feast to the eyes. Whether you're an artist or not, you'll surely enjoy the aesthetics that the film has to offer. I LOVE the music and atmosphere. The cinematography is impeccable. The film is so colorful and festive; it feels like stepping inside a dream.

When Tessa discovers a photograph of the mysterious previous owner, Charlie, and receives a random call from him on a vintage telephone, her curiosity is piqued.

Even more so when she accidentally discovers a comic book he drew, depicting his encounter with a thief who entered the apartment, whom he immediately befriended. As she reads, she learns about Charlie and the thief going out to rob together. However, the comic book abruptly ends as both Charlie and the thief witness something horrifying that shakes them both.

Tessa was so desperate to know how it ended, and thus, her search for Charlie began.

The best thing I liked about the movie was not the chase and mystery created around Charlie, but rather the magic of human connection. Charlie is an extrovert--loud, friendly, and extremely outgoing. If Tessa was spontaneous, the guy was even more unpredictable. He relished the chase that Tessa underwent in search for him. Oh, did I mention that he was also a magician? The guy is pretty theatrical.

The heartfelt encounters Charlie had with some of the people he sketched (which Tessa used as guides to search for him) were the heart of the movie. Initially, it might seem that Charlie was just a rough and irresponsibly playful character, but there's actually purpose and a whole lot of compassion in his personality. It becomes clear why Tessa slowly fell in love with him as she met the people he did, one by one. He reminded me so much of The Little Prince, where the Prince touched the lives of everyone he came across. Tessa was mesmerized, and the film also depicted how many people loved Charlie.

Each of his encounters was unique and powerful in its own right. The only thing that annoyed me was the way he made Tessa chase him, despite knowing that she was already searching for him. It was one of his friends who made him realize this, and it turns out he had some internal issues.

Although some of his antics appeared arrogant and flamboyant at times, there's no doubt that Charlie had a strong personality and views about the world (supported with enough financial stability by his well-off family).

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It brought back a bit of the magic inside me. I realized the power we have over others' lives and how that can greatly influence our own as well. If one can see magic in whatever he does, magic usually follows him wherever he goes. And the thread of connection we have with others is a tool that can be useful at the most unexpected times.

This quickly became an instant favorite. I did not understand the language, but the film conveyed an array of emotions that shone through despite that. I'd also love to have an adventurous search or even a random encounter with someone like Charlie, if not a kindred spirit who shares my love for the world and its people.

-Dawn