The bane of contemporary Malayalam cinema is its lack of story. It relies on colour, horror, meaningless movements and frenzy to visually enslave the audience and trap it in an emotional whirlpool. Recent films prompt us to think that our mainstream cinema is unable to survive film plots based on masquerades, mixed identities and impersonation. The dreadful fascination of viewers towards 'hi-tech' horror films is yet another example for the deterioration of sensibility. The much-hyped special effects remain on the level of mythological serials being aired by Doordarshan.

The director duo Anil Babu's latest offering Pakalppooram is such a case in point. Produced under the banner of Damodar cinema, the movie belongs to the genre of horror flicks like Akasaganga, Indriyam and Meghasandesam. Shot on the picturesque locations in Thenkasi, Kuttalam, Ambasamudram and Sundarapandiapuram, the movie tells the tale of a bloodthirsty ghost who attempts to wreck vengeance on Brahmadathan Namboothiri (Risabava). Initially she fails in her attempt but vows to take revenge on Brahmadathan by finishing off his son who is yet to be born.

Gouridasan (Mukesh), Brahmadathan's son faces a toughest challenge of his life time to tie her down. He actually belongs to the Suryamangalam Mana, but right from the childhood he has been living in pain and penury, because of the nefarious designs of his father's younger brother (Babu Namboothiri) Gouridasan rises to the occasion and tries to explore the opportunities to wrest control over the ancestral home. Meanwhile, the ghost incarnates as Seemanthini (Geethu Mohandas) and she tries to win the heart of Gouridasan. He is forced to marry her under certain circumstances that are totally out of his control. Finally, he comes to know that Seemanthini is the very same ghost whom she wants to send back to the grave. The film ends when he becomes successful in his mission.

Pakalppooram is one among the usual films with an improper mix of horror, comedy and songs that fail to make any impact. Malluwood's unbeatable team of inane comedians Salimkumar and Harisree Ashokan test the audience's patience. Geethu Mohandas does the role of Seemanthini with ease but looks less appealing where she becomes a ghost. With enough experience behind them, Jagathy and Mukesh have done their roles.