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Starring: Prithviraj, Bhavana, Narain, Jayasurya
Writers: Sachi-Sethu
Direction: Joshiy

Lollipop is the Christmas release for Prithviraj. The movie also features Roma, Bhavana, Kunjacko Boban and Jayasurya. The movie marks the return of Kunjacko Boban after a long hiatus. The movie is directed by Shafi and produced by Shafi, Anto Joseph and Benny Nayarambalam under the banner of ABS Combines.

Synopsis
Franko (Prithviraj) owns an automobile workshop named after his only sister Jennifer (Roma). They lost their parents a long time back. They come to a decision that Franko would choose Jenny’s spouse and vice versa. Rosabella, fondly called Rose, (Bhavana) is Jenny’s rival in college. Jenny can’t stand Rose. Franko and Rose love each other but hide it from Jenny. Francis aka Panju (Jayasurya) is a petty thief who joins Franko’s workshop as a mechanic. Panju falls in love with Jenny. Ebi (Kunjako Boban) is a doctor who also falls in love with Jenny. Jenny also loves Ebi. Who pairs with whom and what happens forms the rest of the story.

Analysis
The movie is constructed on a wafer thin plot that has nothing new to offer. The first half has a good dose of comedy. There are some really funny rib-tickling scenes. It is the movie’s strength with inspired comic performances by Suraj Venjarumoodu and Salim Kumar. Suraj has once again demonstrated his impeccable comic timing. He is the stand out in the comic section. Salim Kumar also provides quite some laugh.

But it is the second half that really hurts. It is dull and long with lots of clichés. One can easily guess what would happen next and this makes the second half weak and clumsy. Here, the plot has traces of old Rafi-Mecartin movies. Peppered with unnecessary sentiments and primitive comedy, the second half is a test of viewer’s patience. Though the movie has youthful energy, you can feel the energy decreasing with every passing minute.

Performance Of The Cast
Prithviraj looks in great shape with a well toned body. He has given a good performance in some parts and in other parts you feel that he is clearly not interested in the role. Kunjako Boban and Bhavana have very little to do in this film. Roma is ok but overacts in some scenes. The only person who looks sincere in his role is Jayasurya. Once again he has put up a brilliant show in a negative role. His role will be the only thing which stays in your mind after you leave the cinema hall.

Technical Analysis
Direction by Shafi is mediocre and fails to grip you to your seats as he did in his previous ventures. The director has tried to portray the brother-sister relationship in the mix of love but doesn’t include enough circumstances to express this.

The script is a mangled mess and seems half baked. The dialogues are cheesy and sometimes come with a double meaning. Characterisation of the lead cast is poor. Like his previous script, Annan Thampi, the script writer has once again penned a no brainer. There are plenty of things which are left unfinished and left to your imagination.

The cinematography is good and songs have been shot well. Costumes of the lead cast are also good and colourful. Editing is fine. Music by Alex Paul is average but you are not going to be humming those tunes after you left the theatre.

Verdict
Lollypop is an average movie with an engaging first half. Go in with zero expectations and still you may come out a little disappointed. Lollipop is placid, leaving the door wide open for Dileep’s Crazy Gopalan arriving next week. If you still want to watch the movie, then watch the first half and come out during the interval.

Rating: 6/10

Thalappavu, the debut directorial venture of actor Madhupal, is one of those films which keeps you under its spell even after you have left the cinema hall. Visual splendour, splendid performances by the cast and a deep and touching tale forms the core of Thaalppavu. If anyone watches the movie expecting comedy, romance and dance, then you will be disappointed. But for those who want a pleasant change from the regular hero movies, Thalappavu will work for you.

Thalappavu is the story of a naxal leader of Wayyanad, Joseph and his friend, a constable named Ravindran Pillai. The movie is the story of Ravindran Pillai and his confessions of pulling the trigger on his friend Joseph on the order of his superiors.

What makes Thalappavu likeable is that it has its heart in the right place. It is not aimed at making the audience laugh but at making us think. Thalappavu is an example of a movie in which the entire cast and crew has performed at their best.

Prithviraj breathes life into the character of Joseph. He stands, speaks and looks with the pride and dignity of a naxal. But the man who steals the spotlight is Lal, whose performance as Ravindran Pillai is excellent. The rest of the cast are also very good. Direction by Madhupal is excellent. Story and screenplay by Babu Janardhanan is the main asset of the movie. The movie jumps from the present to the past and further past and forms an exciting but complex narrative.

In the end, Thalappavu is about the choices we make – to suffer or to react, to be selfish or to speak for the downtrodden. Is it a sin to take the law into one’s hands for the ‘Greater Good’?

In the end, Thalappavu is a visual feast for a movie lover.

Rating: 7/10