Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal - Malayalam Movie Review

Crew

Directed by     Ajith Pillai
Produced by     Niyas Ismail
Screenplay by     Ajith Pillai, Vipin Radhakrishnan
Story by     Ajith Pillai

Music by     Prashant Pillai
Cinematography     Abinandhan Ramanujam
Editing by     Ratheesh Raj
Studio     Frames Inevitable
Distributed by     KNM Pictures
Release dates      May 1, 2014
Running time     131 minutes
Country     India
Language     Malayalam

Cast

    Asif Ali as Alex, son of a farmer.
    Sunny Wayne as Akbar Ali, a fisherman.
    Nedumudi Venu as Kuriachen, Alex's father.
    Janani Iyer as Deena
    Swati Reddy as Isa
    Nishanth Sagar as Hashim
    Jijoy as Sulaiman
    Jojo Mala as Mathew P Mathew
    Chemban Vinod

'Mosa' mean 'Waves' and 'Kuthira Meenukal' are 'Sword Fishes' who fights with themselves for food and survival. The films tells us that Humans rarely do good to others and if they do there will be an ulterior selfish motive behind it. Every character in the film has a selfish motive behind the things they do, which drives the movie plot forward. 

Alex is the son of a rich planter. In the process of multiplying the wealth, without going for a job, in shortcut,  He ends up jail where his relative is the chief. Unable to cop up with Jail he does a prison break days before he was to be released officially on special 'Independence Day' pardon. He breaks out of prison with another inmate Akbar Ali. Now its Alex's job to go back to prison with Akbar in order to get out legally with the help of his Chief. Akbar who is on a important time bound mission to 'Lakshwadeep' is in no mood to listen to Alex. What happens to the characters as their journey together begins, forms the rest of the film.

Like mentioned before the film deals with human nature, friendship & love. The first half is interesting and fast moving with light humor sprinkled through out. In the second half the pace reduces drastically, especially in the Sunny-Swati portions. The dialogues are well researched & well written. There is a nice story to tell, which has been presented with an above average script.

Its Asif Ali who binds the entire film. When ever the film goes down its his character that brings it up. One of the career best roles for him. Sunny Wayne too was good. Swati and Janani were okay. Jijoy was very good in a small role.

Cinematography is top notch, except few steady cam shots. The beauty of Lakshwadeep has been captured in all its glory, so as the sequences in Kochi, Viyoor Jail etc. Background was good in parts, average else where. Aikbareesa song is beautiful and has been used brilliantly in bits and pieces through out the 2nd half, as a back ground score, giving the feel of a cool breeze of a sea shore.Editing could have been better in the second half. Ajith Pillai has made a promising debut as Director too, attempting such a venture as first film, kudos to him.

In all its a different attempt and a nice watch if you have a bit of patience and mind set to be treated with something fresh and new.

Verdict: Between Above Average & Good

Rating: 2.75 - 3 / 5

North 24 Kaatham - Rest Of India (Outside Kerala) Theater List with Show Times

North 24 Kaatham - Rest Of India (Outside Kerala) Theater List with Show Times

 Mumbai

 Pune

 

Bangalore

National Capital Region (NCR)

 

Gujarat - Surat & Ahmadabad

Mangalore - Cinepolis: City Centre Mall 1:45pm

 

Hyderabad - CINEMAX INORBIT - Daily 10.30pm, PRASADZ - SAT, SUN 9.30AM

Chennai - Sathyam, Escape, Inox, PVR, Devi, Ega, Mayajaal, Fame

 Coimbatore - The Cinema, Fun Multiplex 

Bhopal - CINEPOLIS, Aashima Mall 5:35pm

North 24 Kaatham - Malayalam Movie Review

 

North 24 Kaatham - Malayalam Movie Review

 

 Writer, Director: Anil Radhakrishnan Menon
Produced by: E 4 Eentertainment
DOP: Jayesh Nair
Music: GovindMenon
Editor: Dilip Dennies
Costumes: Sameera Saneesh
Make up: Ranjith Ambadi

CAST

    Fahadh Faasil as Harikrishnan
    Swati Reddy as Narayani
    Nedumudi Venu as Gopalan

  Premgi Amaren as Vyomkesh [Cameo]

Chemban Vinod
    Sreenath Bhasi
    Srinda Ashab
    Prigi Abigail Benger
    Deepak Nathan
 

 Story

 'North 24 Katham' [1 katham = 16 KMs] narrates the story of a journey by 3 strangers [Harikrishnan (Fahad Fazil), Gopalan (Nedumudi Venu), and Narayani (Swati Reddy)] through the heartlands of Kerala, on a 'Harthal' day & the incidents that takes place on course. Harikrishnan is an IT professional. Gopalan is a yesteryear Marxist & Narayani a social worker.
It also the journey of Hari in which he breaks the shell which he himself created around him and finally gets a feel of the life & word out there.

People of Kerala celebrates Harthal,Strike,Bandh etc like festivals & Holidays. Roads will be empty, shops will be shut and most remain in their home. Those who can't avoid traveling in such days will have to go through Hell before reaching destination. The film also throws light into the condition, but in a lighthearted manner.

The story line is similar to Steve Martin starrer Planes, Trains & Automobiles, which film like Anbe sivam, Due Date have also used. But the Director who is also the writer have adapted the screenplay according to our conditions and discuss some socially relevant issues.

N24K is a nice, slow, breezy entertainer which begins as a typical New-Gen film, but later changes its track. The main highlight of the film is the performances of the lead cast. Nedumudi Menu was excellent as Gopalettan, especially in the climax portions. Fahadh Faasil once again has given a superlative performance as the OCD IT professional. Swati Reddy also was good. All the supporting cast were very efficient. Premgi Amaren who comes in a cameo, with his typical punchline, wins claps. Liked the title card which very much explains the entire film in photo cards.

The film is slow for the liking of Masses. Its not everyone's cup of tea. Those who prefers crass/mass formula films may stay away from this. Even though it runs just over 2hours, it drags here and there. There is no spoon feeding in n24k which might leave viewers with some unanswered questions once the film get over, even I would have preferred some sort of clarifications on some points. Also the pre-climax portions seemed bit far stretched.

Direction was very good, a confident debut by Anil. Camera work was excellent, captured the heart of Kerala with al its grandeur. Music & BG were very good too. Editing could have been a bit sharper.

SO all in all, its a different entertainer that may not be of every body's liking. As far I am concerned, I liked it, think you should check it out too.

Verdict - Good

Rating 3.25/5

Last Word - Its Different !!!