It was a bittersweet year for me as a Malayalam movie fan. On the one hand, there were uplifting themes and surprising winners but on the other hand, we had far too many middling films. Even to put up a top 8 list turned out to be an uphill task. Since someone’s got to do it, here we go…
1. Kaathal: The Core: I admit I have been hearing rumours about Mammootty’s character in the film for the longest time. And though the rumours were exciting, there was also this anxiety about whether the reveal was a mere decoy. And importantly this was one theme if not done with sensitivity and finesse falter big time. But Kaathal: The Core directed by Jeo Baby turned out to be the most immersive theatre experience this year. Set in a small town in Central Kerala, it was about this man who is contesting for the local election only to hear that his wife has filed for divorce alleging that he was gay. What unfolds is a poignant collage of emotionally distraught moments taking us through the myriad, conflictive relationships. Between a husband (Mammootty) and wife (Jyothika) who have lived a life of lie fearing societal backlash, a father and son who haven’t spoken for years, and two men who have learned to subjugate their longing for each other. It’s the silences that are daunting to watch. Mammootty conquers yet another peak of greatness.
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2. Falimy: I don’t know how he does it, but these days any film that features Basil Joseph promises a minimum guarantee. Falimy is about a bunch of dysfunctional characters in a family and how circ*mstances force them to travel to Banaras together. It’s unexpectedly hilarious, thoughtful, and thoroughly engaging. All the actors are having a ball, be it the in-form Jagadish as this wayward dad, Manju Pillai’s hardworking mom, Basil as this cranky elder son, and an irreverent young brother played by Sandeep Pradeep. Sure, the travel brings them together but there is no fairytale ending either.
3. Aattam: A superbly written, executed debut feature that unravels in the backdrop of a theatre troupe. Despite the skewed gender ratio (12 men and a woman) on the surface, it seems democratic, friendly, and safe. But all that comes undone when the woman has a harrowing experience one night after a party. That’s enough to crack open the misogyny, gender bias, and patriarchy that was lying latent among the men. Great casting choices and performances ensure that you are invested through and through.
4. Ennennum: In Shalini Usha’s sophom*ore feature, sci-fi is used as a narrative device to split open the complexities in a man-woman relationship. When Ossu (Anoop Mohan) and Devi (Santy Balachandran) decide to try an immortality programme to stabilise their relationship, they are not ready for its shattering implications. It puts their relationship at stake and the narrative, powered by excellent actors takes us on a poignant and profound journey into the intricacies of the human mind.
5. Kannur Squad: Mammootty is all guns blazing as Kannur Squad head ASI George Martin who is assigned to nab the culprits of a homicide in North Kerala. On a rickety old Tata Sumo, the 4-member team journeys through the length and breadth of India, doggedly in pursuit of the two accused. Cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj makes a confident debut with this thriller that keeps us on our toes, measuring drama and realism precisely. The writing is on point, and you are rooting for the men at every turn.
6. Iratta: Usually double roles in cinema are always tagged in the good v/s bad, smart v/s timid binary. But in Iratta, it’s between two deeply flawed brothers who carry past baggage, thereby making it difficult for either of them to reach out to each other. Joju George plays Pramod and Vinod with such nuance that even without any external barricade, they are easy to differentiate. Though the subtext is sticky, some of the disclosers are hard to take. It can scare and scar you at the same time.
7. Pachuvum Adbudha Vilakkum: A feel-good drama layered with unlimited quirky characters that miraculously juxtapose at some point in their lives. In hindsight, they are all relatable despite their wackiness and complexities. Akhil Sathyan in his superb debut achieves what he sets out to do—a film for all generations that beautifully harmonizes modern sensibilities with that of the traditional niceties. Though it is Fahadh who headlines the narrative, there are enough characters to charm your socks off. From the sparkling Hamsadhwani, and the cheery Umma to an inconspicuous Marathi Bhai who makes a 5-minute appearance, they all make it worth your while.
8. Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham: The second film that echoes the ‘Basil Joseph minimum guarantee theory’ in Malayalam. One of those rare pandemic-themed films that tried to penetrate the narrative beyond the fatalities of the illness. The pandemic is merely incidental to Muhashin’s directorial debut. What’s out there is a dysfunctional family fraught with financial and emotional worries. Bachu’s dad is in the Middle East, and he is struggling to be the man in the house, trying to set up his business. He has a lot of unresolved issues, and he often takes it on his hapless mother and sister. It’s a simple film that shines with its innate goodness.
