Costao movie review
Costao is a biographical crime drama set in 1990s Goa about Costao Fernandes (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a moral customs inspector. His unrelenting dedication to justice drives him into dangerous fights, both professionally and personally, hence marking him a fugitive as he investigates a gold smuggling gang.
Review: Biographical movies sometimes struggle to strike a balance between factual narrative and cinematic involvement. Inspired by actual events, Costao presents itself as a work of fiction largely based on the life of customs officer Costao Fernandes. Though its premise is quite rich, the movie fails to provide a gripping story.
Costao’s daughter Marissa (Asmi Deo) tells the story, guiding us to her father’s unrelenting commitment to his work. Though it unintentionally separates the spectator from the psychological conflicts of the protagonist, this narrative decision seeks to offer a personal touch. Written by Bhavesh Mandalia and Meghna Srivastava, the screenplay slowly develops Costao’s persona but does not explore the nuances of his moral compass or his objectives.
Playing Costao Fernandes, Nawazuddin Siddiqui injects his usual intensity into the part. His portrayal is notable as it catches the subtleties of a guy caught between obligation and personal suffering. The writing, though, provides little room for character growth, so his attempts seem somewhat limited.
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The movie’s tempo is especially slow. Promising beginning gives way to a dragging tale concentrating on tedious home conflicts between Costao and his wife, Mariya (Priya Bapat), and expected run-ins with unscrupulous customs and CBI authorities. Though they are crucial for the plot of the movie, these scenes appear to contribute little to the main narrative and reduce the drive of the story.
Goa’s lively background is underused; it acts more as a superficial backdrop than an essential component of the narrative. The movie overlooks chances to include the unusual cultural and socio-political scene of the area into the narrative, which would have improved the story.
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Musically, Ajay Jayanthi’s score does not stand out. The music does not have the emotional depth or thematic resonance to enhance the dramatic sequences of the movie.
Ultimately, Costao wants to be a compelling story of integrity and sacrifice, but its mediocre writing and uninspired narrative let him down. Although Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s portrayal shows flashes of genius, the movie finally fails to make use of the interesting real-life events it draws influence from.
