Kalimannu

My review: Kalimannu

Blessy's "Kalimannu" has been in the news for a long time for all the wrong reasons which might have actually worked in favour of this movie in the end. The curiosity it has kindled in the minds of the movie goers has resulted in the good opening it has got but to sustain it, it should have good content. Whether it has that to sustain is a big question altogether. 

Unlike "Artist" where each and every twist and turn in the movie looked seamless and natural course of action the characters ought to take which resulted in the instant emotional connectivity, in "Kalimannu" it is more of each and every character, their destiny and life course everything seems to be forced in as an after thought once the finale has been conceived. Hence it is difficult to emotionally engage with the characters in the movie, main blame wrests with contrived writing by Blessy. That is nothing to take away from the lofty theme that he has thought off as an eye opener for the larger public about the unexplored possibilities in the medical field of conceiving after the brain death of the male partner with his sperm. 

The movie starts off in a laid back fashion with nothing much happening in the first hour except for the contrived twist that  befalls Biju Menon's character that is the harbinger for the second half to unfold. Second half starts off promisingly with the issue of post-mortem sperm donation throwing up exciting debates, views and counter-views. Though these portions does have a documentary feel to it, it is one of the most engaging set of sequences in the movie. But sadly after the issue fizzles out, so also the rest of the narrative. The story turns into a documentary on child birth and the anti-natal care.    

If the movie works is spite of the contrived plot and writing, it is because the credibility the actors give to their characters. Shwetha Menon has literally lived the character of Meera, a bar dancer turned item-dancer cum budding actress who fights for her right to bear a child with her slain husband's sperms. It is easily one of her career best performance. Kudos to the conviction and courage she has on the medium and her devotion to her profession. Biju Menon lends admirable support while Suhashini is dependable as ever. 

With "Laali laali" already creating a sensation on youtube, M.Jayachandran's music has a refreshing feel to it. Background score is soothing while the songs except for "Laali laali" are okayish. Satheesh Kurup's cinematography is replete with technical finesse which render the visuals with classy and grand feel.

On the whole, "Kalimannu" is watchable once for the performances of the actors which stand out and masks the ineptitude of the writing. 

Bottomline: Celebration of the motherhood, a contrived perspective. 

3/5