From my experience, I have learnt the fact that Movie making should never be a race against time. A typical example of what could go wrong when a movie becomes a race, is Prashant Maambulli’s 17 hour wonder, Bhagavan. The movie is centered on a terrorist attack in a hospital when Dr. Balagopal (Mohanlal) risks his life to save the day.
Analysis
It is after a long time that I am seeing Mohanlal so uncomfortable playing the lead character. He doesn’t seem interested and you cannot blame him as Bhagavan qualifies to be the worst movie in Mohanlal’s illustrous career. Direction by Prashant Maambulli is bad. I still can’t understand what was the need to complete the movie in 17 hours (though the movie wouldn’t have been any better even if it had been shot in 6 months).
The entire concept is ridiculous. For a movie to work with the audience, the soul of the movie (the script) should be good. But, in this case, the script (if ever there was one) and the story is silly with a childish screenplay. The manner in which most of the scenes are treated are silly and unexcusable. Be it the childish manner in which the commando units diffusing the bombs is portrayed or the closeups shown again and again, the movie throws at you a string of unthinkably ridiculous scenes. The dialogues are miserable and the word Bhagavan props up in Mohanlal’s dialogues every 100 words.
The director has wasted talented artists like Mohanlal, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy. The film is dumb and drags on and on paying no repsect whatsoever to the audience. Every 15 minutes you see some type of countdown from 10 to 0 on sceen and occasionally when the time of events in the movie are shown, it is then you realised you have been sitting through this movie only for about a few minutes. The movie fails on all technical grounds. The music of the movie is uninspiring.
When young directors like Ranjith Shankar and Swathy Bhaskar have given us refreshingly different movies, Prashant Maambulli gives us one of the most unbearable movies ever. At a run time of a little under two hours, Bhagavan is a bad excuse for a movie. Even ‘Bhagavan’ can’t save this movie.
Recomendation: Not even for your enemies. Stay far far away.
Rating: 1/5 (1 for completing it in 17 hours and for nothing else)
In Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, one of malayalam film’s all time favourite action character of Sagar from Irupatham Nootandu is reconstructed. The movie stars Mohanlal, Manoj K Jayan, Bhavana, Shobhana, Jagathy Sreekumar and others. The movie is penned by SN Swami and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. Amal Neerad of ‘Big B’ fame handles the camera and direction.
Synopsis
Sagar (Mohanlal) plays an international don who in a quest to save his friend Manu (Manoj K Jayan) ends up rubbing shoulders with Naina (Suman) and the Rozario brothers. After Sagar rescues Manu, Manu is murdered. At the request of Manu’s wife Indu (Shobana), Sagar searches for Manu’s killer.
Analysis
‘Never judge a book just by looking at its cover’. This saying is perfectly applicable to this movie. SAJR is a stylishly shot movie which stretches a little over two and a quarter hours aimlessly. The entire movie is constructed over one weak premise which actually begins and ends in the second half. The movie moves from one incident to another which have very little relation to each other.
The first half is simply wasted in introducing and setting up the characters. Mohanlal’s introduction scene is very well shot. But then onwards first half hurts badly due to slow pace. The movie wanders too far off track and by the time the movie is back on track, the audience have no patience left. The second half falls badly with an absurd climax which makes you feel silly.
Performance Of The Cast
Mohanlal plays the lead role well as one expects from him. He talks, walks and fights in style. But the dialogues written in this movie for him are childish. It is embarrassing to see an actor of the caliber of Mohanlal speak these words.
Bhavana has very little to do in this movie. She looks ok in the role of a TV reporter but her character has little significance in this role. Manoj K Jayan and Shobhana take their roles too seriously. Jagathy Sreekumar fails to impress. It is very rare that a director fails to use Jagathy properly. His character has no importance at all. Sampath who plays one of the Rozario brothers is someone to be noted. He plays the part with intensity.
Technical Analysis
Direction by Amal Neerad is wayward. The director is clearly confused in what he wants to show on screen. But his work as a cinematographer is what makes this movie one of a kind. All scenes are stunningly shot and the movie has a visual Hollywood feel to it. Maybe the additional role of cinematography distracted the director from his target. It is sad to see that a director who gave a powerful movie like Big B with intelligent dialogues delivers this movie.
I find it hard to believe that SN Swami scripted this movie. The dialogues are childish, screenplay is slow and the story (if ever there was one) is weak. Music by Gopisundar suits the mood of the movie. Background score is irritating mostly. Costumes are excellent, especially Mohanlal’s costumes. Action scenes are well coordinated. The movie has been made on a grand scale with very good production values but unfortunately, the movie fails in most departments.
Verdict
The movie is nothing more than a bunch of stunning visuals coupled with action. Mohanlal and the stunning shots (subjected to digital colour correction) are the only saving graces of the movie. The movie will find it hard to recover the investment.
Rating: 2/5
Love In Singapore is the first release of Mammootty in 2009. Scripted, produced and directed by Rafi-Mecartin, the movie also features Jayasurya, Navneet Kaur, Salim Kumar, Nedumudi Venu, Bijukuttan, Suraj Venjarumoodu in prominent roles.
Synopsis
Machu (Mammootty) is a person who began his life as a rag picker. He has grown and has become a rich and successful scrap dealer. He happens to meet Perera (Nedumudi Venu) who swindles Machu of some amount. Machu falls in love with Perera’s daughter Diana (Navneet Kaur). But Perera escapes with his daughter to Singapore. Machu follows and what happens in Singapore forms the rest of the story.
Analysis
One never walks into a Rafi-Mecartin movie expecting a good story. Like all Rafi-Mecartin movies, Love In Singapore is a comedy fare with a bunch of LOL moments. The entire plot is weak but it is the comedy elements which makes the movie work. The first half is average with some good comedy but in places you find that in places the intended comedy falls flat. There are some ridiculously funny but brilliant sequences like the one in which Kerala is introduced. Salim Kumar and Bijukuttan are not upto their usual form. But still, the first half is engaging enough.
The second half is the movie’s strength. The comedy generated by Suraj and Mammootty is really funny. It is the second half of the movie which really turns things around. Leaving no room for unwanted sentiments, the second half is packed with loads of comedy and action. Rafi-Mecartin are not known for brilliant climaxes, but in this movie, the climax is passable with some tiny suspense elements. The movie is a fast paced comedy which is enjoyable mostly.
Performance Of The Cast
Mammootty excels in the role of Akri Machu, the scrap dealer. He looks handsome even at this age which is really commendable. Mammootty’s ramp walk song is a must watch for style analysts. His performance in all departments be it stunts or comedy is excellent. Some noteworthy LOL moments are the scene at the end of the movie where Machu (who is illiterate) is introduced to English speaking board members of a company. Jayasurya is cool in the cameo role he plays.
Navneet Kaur has very little to do in this movie. But she does make a pretty sight. Once again we are seeing Suraj Venjarumoodu overshadowing all others in the comic department. Salim Kumar and Bijukuttan seem rusty. Nedumudi Venu is good as the Perera saayip who swindles Machu.
Technical Analysis
Direction by Rafi Mecartin is very good. The director duo seem to be in full control of the movie. Scripting is also good because the movie never wanders off path too much. Cinematography by Sanjeev Shankar is excellent. The beautiful locales of Singapore are captured very well. Special mention for the art director for creating good colorful sets especially the one where the ramp walk song was shot.
Action director needs special mention for creating some good sequence of action without too much unrealistic effects. Costumes and make up are spot on. Mammootty’s costumes are really good. Music by Suresh Peeters is average. The movie has been made with very good production values. The VFX works are very good.
Verdict
A typical Rafi Mecartin movie held together by Mammootty and Suraj. Watch out for Mammootty and Suraj Venjarumoodu’s performances. In the end, Rafi Mecartin and Mammootty’s Love in Singapore is an enjoyable laugh fest with good doses comedy and action. Go in there with a mind to laugh and you won’t be disappointed.
Rating: 7/10
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
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