Luca (English: given name) is an enchanting, indulgent, and genuinely affecting film about an artist, his inhibitions, and his fight against the world through art, the only thing that he knows. Tovino Thomas as the titular character and with a story that is more of a whodunit than a romantic drama made me go numb even as I took part in the director's extremely indulgent and nonchalant frames, following the two main characters as they slowly fall into a state of calm camaraderie. Except for the dull performance by Nithin George who plays a detective and a little bit of editing liberty taken by the makers, I didn't see any issues with Luca which needs to be seen and felt in the best way possible. Brilliant performances and very good writing, especially with the way Arun Bose and Mridul George carve the characters (all characters). (Don't go with Saina's DVD release as the audio in it is horrible. Let's hope this will be out on a streaming service soon.) TN.
19 Reviews
Romantic thriller movie - (7.5)
sujith789_reviews21 April 2020
- Luca is a different movie than usual Malayalam movies. The theme here is Romance coupled with an Investigation.
- Direction and Cinematography is good.
- This is not a full time investigation movie, I would say this is like 80% romance and 20% investigation and in the end it becomes more of investigation.
- Climax is good and novel.
- Acting was good. Liked Tovino's and Ahana's chemistry.
- Final Veridct: A very good and different malayalam movie.
A decent effort in intertwining the genres of romance and whodunit! [+63%]
arungeorge1320 October 2019
With Luca, debut director Arun Bose proves that he's one to keep an eye out for. The writers (Mridul George and Bose himself) try to tell two stories in Luca: one, of a couple that has apparently committed suicide a week apart from eachother, and the other of the personal life of the police officer investigating the former. The titular character, played by Tovino Thomas, comes with his share of familiar mischief that we'd seen in Mayaanadhi, Theevandi, and Uyare. Ahaana Krishnakumar gets to display her true acting chops for the first time, in a film that offers her a reasonably fleshed-out character and equal screen-time as her counterpart.
While the Luca-Niharika story has been written with equal amounts of playfulness and maturity, the parallel story of the police officer's personal life (in shambles) is not imparted the same treatment. Though what I do give a thumbs-up for, is the almost Agatha-Christie-like attention to details that come together in the climax. Since this is a story that revolves around an artist, the aesthetics clearly have a role to play in the film and it feels good to say that they've been researched/thought out well too.
Music and background score by Sooraj S Kurup is a definite plus for Luca. However, the random insertion of Hindi and English lines in songs/score (for certain scenes) appears a little forced. As is the case with murder mysteries, a few red herrings are thrown at the audience just to keep it engaging. The dialogues, for a modern couple such as Luca-Niharika, are never-for-once too cheesy or excessively sentimental.
There is a sense of permeating sadness that runs throughout the movie, even in its lighter moments. The director has used rain as an effective tool to convey both happiness and sadness. The writers have also used the plot-point of the cop going through an emotional turmoil to help correlate (and empathize) the events in his life with that of Luca's, quite well. Had the story of the cop also been given some extra depth, Luca could have probably ended up a much, much better film. If you're not someone who's bothered by relaxed pacing and enjoys romance and mystery as cinematic genres, I bet you should give Luca a watch.
While the Luca-Niharika story has been written with equal amounts of playfulness and maturity, the parallel story of the police officer's personal life (in shambles) is not imparted the same treatment. Though what I do give a thumbs-up for, is the almost Agatha-Christie-like attention to details that come together in the climax. Since this is a story that revolves around an artist, the aesthetics clearly have a role to play in the film and it feels good to say that they've been researched/thought out well too.
Music and background score by Sooraj S Kurup is a definite plus for Luca. However, the random insertion of Hindi and English lines in songs/score (for certain scenes) appears a little forced. As is the case with murder mysteries, a few red herrings are thrown at the audience just to keep it engaging. The dialogues, for a modern couple such as Luca-Niharika, are never-for-once too cheesy or excessively sentimental.
There is a sense of permeating sadness that runs throughout the movie, even in its lighter moments. The director has used rain as an effective tool to convey both happiness and sadness. The writers have also used the plot-point of the cop going through an emotional turmoil to help correlate (and empathize) the events in his life with that of Luca's, quite well. Had the story of the cop also been given some extra depth, Luca could have probably ended up a much, much better film. If you're not someone who's bothered by relaxed pacing and enjoys romance and mystery as cinematic genres, I bet you should give Luca a watch.
Decent film
sujiparathattil27 December 2019
Poor screenplay and zero essence.
christophervincent30 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The only good thing about this "thriller" is Tovino Thomas who as usual plays himself and has a certain charm to him. But all thats lost from the very beginning. None of the actions in the story has any sort of justifications. As a viewer you have to accept everything as an act of passion. Romance is totally lost on the lead actress who is a very poor choice here.
Story revolves around artist Luca and and his death under mysterious circumstances. The investigation is headed by Akbar who is in the middle of a divorce. Story of Luca unfolds when the inspector finds a diary. Luca is short tempered with couple phobias. He meets Niharika an industrial chemistry research student. And just like that she moves in with him just coz she hates living with her uncle who "molested" her when she was little. And then as the events unfold we meet many charecters who doesn't really have anything to contribute to the story other than to show how good a person Luca really is. None of the actions are justified and since love is impulsive, that's what we should think is happening. Now Akbar who's girlfriend left him for reasons unknown refuses to give up his past and thinks he's making a mistake still being married. He for some reason explains this to his wife who in a moment solves the crime and they get back together for reasons not enough.
A totally unrealistic drama with a very poor screenplay that does no justice to the story or charecters and in many ways tries to be Charlie and eventually fails. Unnecessary plot points and charecters sucks the fun out of everything and eventually leaving the viewer with nothing to remember it by.
A totally unrealistic drama with a very poor screenplay that does no justice to the story or charecters and in many ways tries to be Charlie and eventually fails. Unnecessary plot points and charecters sucks the fun out of everything and eventually leaving the viewer with nothing to remember it by.
Quite Something.
muhammedfahadcma6 October 2019
Poor man's 'Charlie'
vineethsk22 June 2020
Artistic movie about an artist
shijukt19 October 2019
Luka is a movie unwinding the life of artist Luka which is as beautiful as the the art works created by him. Like he says , he just don't draw a picture on its outside look ,but it reflects the internal feelings that the person goes through.Enjoying this movie is like understanding/ decoding a complex but beautiful painting to find out the meaning of each and every minute aspect in the painting.we see many movies of different genera, but this is combination of many genera in itself. It has love, passion, investigation , beauty. One should not watch this movie just for time pass , because it's time-worth. We should spend our quality time because this movie worth spending time.movie is set in shady tone throughout. The background music and photography jells with the shoddy nature of the film. The dim light and never stopping rain Always perfect with the theme of film which like watching a musical ballet full of pale music and passion.the song 'doors orayiram irul' meaning full of darkness in the distance, played through out the movie which was very apt to give the movie its mood.overall this movie was a class art work which malayalam industry was missing last few years.tovino is growing as a perfect artist in each his movies. The artwork, background music etc were super. The direction of the movie was topclass.
Good but not that Good.
akhil02718 July 2020
Luca had quite an interesting theme. It blends romance, tragedy and whodunnit in a refreshing way. But the amateurish performances by Ahaana(Niharika) and Nithin George(Akbar) , bad execution of a parallel story (Fathima-Akbar), and dragging nature of the script prevents Luca from being the great movie which it could've been. And I found the "Doore Orayiramirul" annoying. But the rest of the song and album is really good. Tovino's performance was great.
The ending is what saves the movie.
Dont watch this nonsense!
genisis_tp10 October 2019
A hard core Love story
meenuasok31 July 2019
Lag
dichu-4445929 July 2019
Heart Touching Love Story
bhushan257529 July 2019
Kind of tragic love story with a bit of suspense in the end; supeb acting by both male & female lead, story is an ordinary one but both of their chemistry is good that make you happy to watch them on screen :)
Acting -10/10 Story - 8/10
Acting -10/10 Story - 8/10
Must watch...
kananAmmu5 October 2019
Gripping!!
gokalamannil10 July 2020
Perfect blend of romance and thriller
minushivaan29 April 2023
The story which told on a police officer character takes a smooth glide to life of an artist .The climax was the most thrilling .The journey of luca was beautifuly portrayed by tovino. The magical love story set in a highly creative land which is filled with art and leave you im awe. The chemistry and interaction between luca and niharika are so intense and engaging that you tend to live along for a while. The film really picks up pace at second part. For a common man its emotional watch where loves takes all together different form. The background score amd music really adds to emotional journey of the characters. The art peffectly blends to the world thats is of luca and to thriller charcters.
Very slow but true love
nishanthig11 December 2022
I like these movie so much. True love always goes like these only in end... Death without pain is good decision.. Thanks to team who made it as a story. These movie will attract only one set of people. So both positive and negative comments, we have to accept it.
As per my feel, little slow movie... So that is true failure. Theme they choose is correct but the way they screenplay is 75 percent perfect. Balance they should include some more emotions especially on that akbar.. Akbar story is very flat, not even face expression for him. Anyway overall nice movie.. Thanks to both hero and heroin who gave their best.
As per my feel, little slow movie... So that is true failure. Theme they choose is correct but the way they screenplay is 75 percent perfect. Balance they should include some more emotions especially on that akbar.. Akbar story is very flat, not even face expression for him. Anyway overall nice movie.. Thanks to both hero and heroin who gave their best.
LUCA - Heart Touching Love Story
ashishsemwal-8076213 September 2021
Luca touched the heart
i_lalindra2 September 2021
A artist with two phobias due to pass incidents in his life suddenly found dead bysuicide. A film was a journey through his last few days by a diary found in his artistic room.
The story tells a sweet love story finally end up with a tragedy. There is a always suspect towards few characters regarding the luca's suicide. The ending gives you real twist which end up in a different direction than any other film.
Once again Tovino did his job to bring success to the film. Female protagonist Ahaana krishna also did a fairplay which made the couple is a sweet combination.
Art direction at high level. Music is ok but It could be better if one slow romantic song included into the film.
One of the best romantic tragedy in south indian film industry.
The story tells a sweet love story finally end up with a tragedy. There is a always suspect towards few characters regarding the luca's suicide. The ending gives you real twist which end up in a different direction than any other film.
Once again Tovino did his job to bring success to the film. Female protagonist Ahaana krishna also did a fairplay which made the couple is a sweet combination.
Art direction at high level. Music is ok but It could be better if one slow romantic song included into the film.
One of the best romantic tragedy in south indian film industry.
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