Happy Journey - Malayalam Movie Review

Happy Journey - Malayalam Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Boban Samuel
Produced by     Ashiq Usman
Written by     Arunlal
Music by     Gopi Sunder
Cinematography     Mahesh Raj
Editing by     Lijo Paul
Studio     Milestone Cinemas
Distributed by     Central Pictures
Release dates    February 21, 2014
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

    Jayasurya as Aaron
    Aparna Gopinath as Sia
    Lal as Gopikrishnan
    Lalu Alex
    Balu as Freddy
    Indian Pallassery as Pranchi
    Lena
    Edavela Babu
    Sunil Sugatha
    Seema G Nair
    Srinda Ashab

'Happy Journey' tells the story of  Aaron who was die hard cricket fanatic from small age & his aim in life was to play in the Indian colors. An accident, when he was a kid, costs him his eye sight, but with the help of his Mother, her tries to get into the Indian cricket team for blinds. But that too receive a set back when his Mother passes away, after which Aaron decides to lock up all his dreams and work in a tea stall. His dreams gets a new lease of life, thanks to a coach who is also yet to achieve in a big way. So will Aaron finally manage to make his dream to reality, forms the rest of the story.

Boban Samuel after blockbuster 'Romans', Jayasurya with 2 back 2 back super hits, beautiful trailer - expectations were quite high on 'Happy Journey'. The trailer indicated a light hearted film with good emotions and a nice message. But the film sadly fails to meet the expectations. 

The first half of the movie is comparatively light hearted and interesting. In the second half the script looses focus and goes to a bit preachy mode. Even though just above 2hours long, it lags considerably, especially in the later half. Those who came to watch  light hearted entertainer will feel dejected. 

The film do convey an important message. IT shows how unfriendly our people & infrastructure are for/towards people with disabilities. The film also explains why such people are called 'differently abled' and not 'handicapped' any more as with conviction, hard work and bit of help from society they can do anything a normal person can do. But like Arun Lal's last attempt 'Thank You' it ends up in half baked script. A good message doesn't ean a good film and after all people are there to get entertained and not schooled.

Jayasurya one again delivers an outstanding perfrormance, once again pushing his boundaries. Lena, Lal, Balu, Srindaa have also done good job. Music and BG were pleasing and apt for the movie. Camera work was okay, editing could have been crisp. Boban Samuel could have conceived the film in a better way, would have looked better on screen.

In all 'Happy Journey' evokes mixed emotions

Rating: 2.75/5

Verdict: Above Average

Last Word: Not that Happy a Journey,  but not bad either

'Happy Journey' - Kerala Release Paper AD with theater list

Punyalan Agarbathis - Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Ranjith Sankar
Produced by     Jayasurya, Ranjith Sankar
Written by     Ranjith Sankar
Music by     Bijibal
Cinematography     Sujith Vasudev
Editing by     Lijo Paul
Studio     Dreams N Beyond
Distributed by     Central Pictures
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

 Cast

    Jayasurya as Joy Thakkolkaran
Nyla Usha as Anu
Aju Varghese as Greenu Sharma
Innocent as John Thakkolkaran
Rachana Narayanankutty as Advocate Sai
Sreejith Ravi as Abhayakumar
TG Ravi as Achuthan Master
Mala Aravindan as Ayyappan
Idavela Babu as KC Mathews
Vinod Kovoor as Pappan Kottapuram
Lishoy as Pauly

 

 'Punyalan Agarbathis' tells the story of an ambitious, wannabe Ambani of Thrissur, businessman. After trying out may ventures he finds his last resort in 'Punyalan Agarbathis', special kind of incense sticks made from elephant dung. The efforts to acquire the 'raw material' makes him ruffle feathers with few big-wigs which turns his life for ever. Will Joy succeed in the battle of & for his life, forms the rest of the story.

80s-90s are said to be the Golden period of Malayalam cinema which produced movies which common people could much identify with, dealing with issues faced by common man in his daily lives, like Mithunam, Varavelpu, Vellanakalude Naadu etc. 

Punyalan Agarbathis belongs to such series of movies. It tells the issues a common middle class man has to face to make his dream come true, without resorting to illegal paths. 

It also discuses how bureaucracy, politics etc which are meant for the benefit of people, in many cases end up being the road block, for petty reasons.

Story wise its simple, its the entertaining scrip that works big time for PA. The film is a total rocking entertainer, in the first half with plenty of humor. In the second half, especially towards the end, where the movie gets serious a tone & try to tell too many things, it dags a bit.

Jayasurya has given one of his best performance till date
 and got the 'Thrissur slang' to a 'T', a major highlight of the movie. Most of his one liners brought the house down. Another name worth mentioning is Sreejith Ravi who also got tremendous reaction from the crowd in his debut comic role. Rest of the cast did what was required of them, but wish Nyla had got a substantial role, after a superb debut in Kunjananthante Kada.

Have liked all his previous works, but Ranjith Shankar the writer has finally got the perfect blending of Commercial entertainer and social message drama in PA, which was lacking in his previous attempts preventing them from becoming HUGE box office successes. His direction was good too, presenting the cultural capital of Kerala as an important part of narration. Cinematography by Sujith Vasudev was good, presenting Thrissur in all its glory. Editing by Lijo Paul was efficient, may be a bit of trimming towards the end could have been nice. Music & BG by Bijibal were good too.

 Punyalan Agarbathis is a clean, perfect commercial treat for the entire section of audience - mass or class, family or youth - this season. A well made entertainer.

Rating 3.5/5

Verdict - Good

Last Word - Greene, veedu povoolanna tta thonae.......

Philips and the Monkey Pen - Movie Review - Mollywood's Chillar Party

'Philips & the Monkey Pen' tells the story of how Ryan Philips and his bunch of friends, who excel in everything except studies, especially Mathematics. How the lives of Ryan and those surrounding him changes with the arrival of a 'Monkey Pen' which is believed to have magical powers, forms the rest of the story.

The film beautifully narrates how a kid learns about life, god, parents, work, worship etc which has been presented in a fairly entertaining manner.

Monkey Pen is definitely one of the most entertaining and accomplished work, about kids and for kids, from Mollywood. Every department shines in this well made film. Director duo Rojin & Shanil have done an excellent job. Usually they take such movies for granted, but here the director duo have presented film in the best possible way one could, thanks to the support from Producers Vijay Babu [who also played Pappan Sir] & Sandra Thomas. The passion the producers have for cinema is very much visible here.

Master Sanoop [Sanusha's brother] who played 'Ryan' has done an excellent job. It hard to believe that this is his first film, don't be surprised if he win both best actor & best child actor awards this year, such a treat was this young talent. The rest of the Kids in the gang were also excellent, special mention to the ones who played Jahangir [a character Modelled on 'Jangiya' from 'Chillar Party'] and Juan. Kudos to Jayasurya & Ramya for agreeing to be a part of the movie which is not focusing on them.

The film has lots of touching moments and great dialogues with depth. Full credits to the writers.

Cinematography was very good, a treat to your eyes. Editing was good. Music & BG gels very well with the narrative and doesn't try to go over board.

The film do try to pack in quite a few messages in the second half and also enters the preachy mode quite often.But the humor laced writing prevents it from being out of control.

So if you liked films like 'Tare Zammen Par' 'Pasanga' 'Chillar Party', 'Philips & the Monkey Pen' is a film that can very much be added to that elite list.

Please make sure you definitely watch the film with your entire family, especially with Kids. Its one of the rarest opportunity that Mollywood gives Kids, to be what they are, Kids.

No Rating, just watch it !!!

Punyalan Agarbathis - Exclusive HD Posters Set