Jetty Movie Review: A Disappointing Take on Fishermen’s Struggles
Cast:
- Nandita Swetha
- Maanyam Krishna
- M.S. Chowdary
- Kishore Kumar
- Mime Gopi
- Shivaji Raja
Director: Subrahmanyam Pitchuka (Subbu)
Producer: Venu Madhav K
Music Director: Karthik Kodakana
Cinematography: Veeramani
Editor: Srinivas Thota
Overview:
The film “Jetty,” featuring Nandita Swetha and Maanyam Krishna, has been released. Here’s a review of the movie.
Plot:
Set in the coastal village of Kataripalem, Andhra Pradesh, “Jetty” centers on the lives of local fishermen. Katari Jalayya (M.S. Chowdary) is a respected figure who guides the villagers. The fishermen frequently suffer losses due to middlemen and severe cyclones, leading to fatalities and loss of livelihood. To protect their boats, they are advised to build a jetty. The film explores whether the village succeeds in constructing the jetty and the challenges faced along the way. Key roles are played by Jalayya’s daughter Meenakshi (Nandita Swetha) and a school teacher named Sriram (Maanyam Krishna).
Positive Aspects:
The movie has an intriguing premise and begins with a well-shot song that illustrates the fishermen’s lives. The depiction of village life, the struggles of the people, and internal conflicts are effectively portrayed in the first half-hour. M.S. Chowdary, known for his role in “Bheemla Nayak,” delivers a strong performance and is a major asset to the film. Nandita Swetha and debutant Maanyam Krishna offer decent performances in their respective roles.
Negative Aspects:
The film suffers from a lack of focus. It initially highlights the fishermen’s problems and the need for a jetty but then abruptly shifts to outdated customs and traditions, which weakens the narrative. The core issue of the fishermen’s struggle for the jetty is not adequately emphasized, particularly in the second half, making the storyline feel disjointed and predictable. Several scenes, including fight sequences, appear exaggerated and amateurish. The antagonist is poorly developed, and an unnecessary item song disrupts the flow of the film.
Technical Aspects:
Karthik Kodakana’s background score is adequate, and Veeramani’s cinematography successfully captures the coastal landscape. Production values are satisfactory, but editing by Srinivas Thota could have been tighter to eliminate prolonged scenes. Director Subrahmanyam Pitchuka fails to maintain a clear focus on the fishermen’s struggles, leading to a muddled narrative. The inclusion of a love story further detracts from the main plot.
Conclusion:
Overall, “Jetty” is a disappointing film that fails to effectively address the customs and traditions it aims to critique. While a few scenes are commendable, the film largely misses the mark, making it one to skip this weekend.