Varun Live

1. Veruthe Oru Bharya – A light hearted everyday tale about male chauvinism with a good dosage of humour, good screenplay and excellent dialogues bound together by excellent performance by the cast. It is the story of an uncompromising egoistic husband who wants to keep his lively wife under check. The wife on the other hand tries to adjust to stipulations set on her but in vain. This movie is fittingly the best movie of 2008.

2. Thirakkatha – This movie can be described in one word as fresh. A truly touching story about stardom, love, separation, secrets and betrayal told with a different narrative style backed up by strong and powerful performances by Prithviraj, Priyamani and Anoop Menon. The movie, said to be based on the love story of Kamal Hassan and Srividya, is a journey through the world of glitz and glamour and the unknown secrets.

3. Calcutta News – A story about a news reporter fighting a large scale prostitution racket told in the backdrop of urban Kolkata. Though the story is far fetched and unreal, Calcutta News makes a good watch because of the skilled direction of Blessy, eye catching cinematography and good performances. The movie didn’t do too well in the box office, but it was a change from the usual no brainers.

4. Thalappavu – A story based on the real life confessions of a constable about the killing of a naxalite leader. It is neither the typical commercial cinema nor is it an art film. With excellent performance from the cast and good direction and eye catching cinematography, the movie makes a good emotional watch.

5. Madambi – The story of a feudal lord revolving around his uncompromising attitude when it comes to dealing with money. Though it is a typical commercial film on a tried formula, it works because the story is simple and uncomplicated. With many light hearted moments, slight doses of emotion and Mohanlal, the movie makes an engaging watch.

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