Directed by: K. Madhu
Produced by: Stephen Pathickal
Written by: Sumesh – Amal
Starring: Anoop Menon, Jishnu, Shankar, Meghna Raj, Ashokan, Kailash
Music by: Rajamani (Background Score)
Cinematography: Saloo George
Review by: Unni R Nair
The title- ‘Banking Hours 10 to 4’; the director K.Madhu- so, what would you expect from the film? The answer is simple- a bank robbery most likely, a typical K Madhu brand of investigative thriller (K Madhu being a director who has given us so many watchable and enjoyable thrillers, investigative and otherwise). Well, that’s it. ‘Banking Hours 10 to 4’ won’t disappoint anyone who knows what to expect from a K Madhu film. I usually like watching his films and I’d say I liked watching this one too.
‘Lemo Bank’- a new generation bank based in Kochi. As the film begins we see business starting off, just as on any other usual banking day. It’s 10 O’clock as business starts. Business would end at 4. But this day is not going to be yet another usual day at Lemo Bank. Today’s banking hours, from 10 to 4, is going to be different. Immediately after the film starts, we get signals that a robbery is in the offing. Yes, a robbery has been planned and those who’d execute it are on board. But then, a few seconds of darkness some 50 minutes after 10 makes for a twist. Something totally unexpected happens and the cops swing into action. An investigation is needed and that has to end by 4, as the culprit could escape after that. (Well, am not naming people or giving out details of the crime committed etc as I would prefer to keep as much of suspense intact as possible, respecting the intentions of the makers!).
The whole proceedings happen just as in any K Madhu-directed investigative thriller and you keep guessing the whole while until the culprit is found, at the end of it all. Agreed that the pace and other things don’t match with that of K Madhu’s most famous ‘CBI Diarykurippu’ series, but this no doubt is what you expect from K Madhu and the new generation stars. But, had it been a bit more pacy, the film would have been a better watch. That’s all I have to say.
Performance
Almost everyone in the cast has done his or her part with conviction. There are no outstanding performances, but Anoop Menon leads the show in his typical style and Kailash too does a good job of his role. The rest are all good with their respective roles.
Technical aspects
The technical aspects are all in tune with the mood and the tempo of the film. Salu K George has done a good job of the art-direction, creating the right atmosphere of a new-generation bank. Saloo George’s cinematography and P C Mohanan’s editing is good.
Music
There are no songs; Rajamani’s background score suits the mood.
Script
Debutant writers Sumesh and Amal have proved their worth at writing an investigative flick. Let’s hope they get to do better films and also get to try other genres in the future.
Direction
K.Madhu, as usual, is in full control of things. He has done the film in his usual style. I just feel that he could have added a bit more of pace to the film and it would have been better.
Verdict- Typical K Madhu brand of investigative thriller; worth a watch.
Rating: 2.5/5