A slow-footed Coorg drama that earns its emotional climax at a steep patience cost.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Coffee Bloom is largely mixed-to-negative, with most reviewers finding the film too slow-paced and the script underdeveloped. Where praise exists, it tends to focus on the Coorg setting and the emotional resonance of certain scenes, particularly toward the film's climax. The most consistent criticism is that the sluggish pacing, weak dialogue, and underwritten characters undermine an otherwise promising premise. A minority of critics found the film a rewarding, unhurried experience, but the majority cautioned that it demands considerable patience.
3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 14 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Warrier sets up an interesting premise, but cripples it with a deathly slow pace. 'Coffee Bloom' has a silly turning point involving a marauding elephant and a gunshot that make way for a farcical, half-baked investigation. The emotional outbursts between Dev and Anika, and their touching final scene, fare better in holding your interest.
Film review ·
Most movies climax at the interval and leave the rest of it in a mess. Not COFFEE BLOOM, it moves up gradually, rising to a crescendo as the final scene explodes, or should I say diffuses. The music adds volumes to the silence in between.
Film review ·
Coffee Bloom may not be everyone's cup of coffee. But once in a while, there comes a film which refreshes our mind and soul. Coffee Bloom is one of them. It takes us deep into the tangled emotions of its characters, one sip at a time. And, in the end we are left with a refreshing afterglow. Just like the morning cup of coffee.
Film review ·
What's important is that debut director Manu Warrier delivers what the promos promised and that doesn't happen too often. If you are up for a good relaxed weekend viewing then Coffee Bloom should be your pick.
Film review ·
The scripting is well proportioned, allowing for a affect tempered narrative that blossoms out into an interesting and rewarding climactic spiel. The music plays a very subordinate, supportive role allowing for words and emotions to capture the imagination without hampering effect.
Film review ·
The film has a sense of warmth that ensures the audience would not want to ditch it half-way. However, the pace is a little slow - something associated with the movies that premiere at festivals before hitting theatres.
Film review ·
What could have been an interesting tale of love, remorse and emotional turmoil, ends up being a wishy washy drama between some sketchy characters.
Film review ·
Instead of trying so desperately to weave the landscape into a plot, the director should have made a documentary on the coffee plantations of Coorg. For now, I am off coffee.
Film review ·
... if you find nothingness fascinating and are fine with films boasting of unhurried silences and stunning landscapes, you can give this indie film a shot. Ironically, you will need a cup of coffee to sit through this tedious affair.
Film review ·
Kariappa's journey, from awkward renunciation of the world, to making peace with his present, doesn't really bloom: the actors are hard at work but not to much purpose. Coffee Bloom becomes one of those films whose premise is interesting, but which is let down by the execution.
Film review ·
Thanks to the uninspiring script, the ho-hum performances, dull cinematography (Coorg could have looked so much more beautiful) and lackluster dialogues, you want to grab a cup of coffee to slap yourself awake once you are done with the movie.
Film review ·
This is Warrier's first feature, which might account for a couple of blind spots: too much holy-earth-karma blather on the voice-over, a bland soundtrack, touristy photography. Yet there are also moments when Coffee Bloom's characters access deep reserves of hurt and despair, which is when the film's bruised, beating heart is laid bare.
Film review ·
Coffee Bloom eventually reiterates the importance of strong fine black coffee, if only to get through the movie.
Film review ·
Shot on location in Coorg, the film offers scenic views of the majestic estate and the idyllic life its owners lead. The conversations, however, are less poetic. The dialogues oscillate between verbose and flippant throughout the film, consequently diluting the impact the film's key moments could have otherwise had.
From our readers
2 ratings · user score 3.0
In this indie drama, coffee is only in the roots while it is human nature and emotions that are at the forefront.<br /> <br /> Dev (Mathur) is a gloomy young man who comes out of depression caused by a breakup with his girlfriend Anika (Garg) only to lapse into a indefinite period of mourning due to the death of his mother. He travels to Coorg where his family used to own a coffee farm; the unsolicited and unofficial sale of which marks the beginning of his family's immortal poverty. Dev was the one who had sold the property without consulting with his parents, which had instantly led to his father's death and also eventually his mother's, so his visit to Coorg is to make peace with his past by doing one good and sane thing for his family and to peacefully say a final goodbye to his mother.<br /> <br /> The story is written with a deadpan attitude, but that is what the protagonist is all about. He believes in spirituality but hasn't been able to fix his own strings, and regards other people as garbage. He thinks that going back to the place where he spent his childhood days might alleviate his agony, but the problem mounts when he meets Anika there with her husband (Kapoor)? Successfully setting a suspense tone, the screenplay moves forward slowly crescendoing into a moment of cinematic resuscitation.<br /> <br /> Cast performance is good, but the film's technical parameters reduces its value. For instance, the sound mixing is horrible, which points to the fact that writing and acting aren't the only parameters which mark a film's creativity and/or novelty. Plus, the music seems plagiarized, with the final theme sounding like a Hollywood ballad.<br /> <br /> All said and done, the story is true to the heart and conveys a message about emotional baggage that can only be dumped through service/altruism. Not being selfish can be a start.<br /> <br /> BOTTOM LINE: Debutante Manu Warrier's philosophical drama, Coffee Bloom, is well-brewed, but it is served in a cup with tiny holes in it, for if you don't grasp the essence and drink quickly, you may not get anything at all. A good afternoon watch.<br /> <br /> GRADE: D-<br /> <br /> Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES<br /> <br /> Kissing: Mild
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