Maheshinte Prathikaaram

My review: Maheshinte Prathikaaram

The Malayalam cinema seems to have gone beyond the realms of conventional screenplay consisting a plot, conflict and resolution. Instead they seem to have brilliantly adept at portraying slice of life in the most natural manner as possible. After "Action Hero Biju", this week "Maheshinte Prathikaaram" does it. Dilesh Pothen, the movie's director has made a beautiful simple movie of the script of  Syam Pushkaran  that is replete with humour. 

Movie just transports you to the beautifully scenic and serene Idukki for about two hours where you become part of the motley group of common men and women who inhabitate the place. The screenplay is so seamlessly woven that the passage of time is hardly felt though  the proceedings happen at a leisurely small townish pace. The situations are real, the characters are real, their predicaments are real and the ending is so casual that it brings cheers in you. 

Humour is the lifeline of the movie that is so intricately laced into the proceedings. At no point these humorous situation seem forced in which is an almost impossible task to achieve. Also the writing is so intelligent that each and every scene is intricately liked to one another. Take for example the sequence that starts of as a petty quibble for a banana that sets of series of cascading events which finally culminate with the event that is the nucleus from which the whole movie evolve, the Mahesh's " prathikaaram". 

Movie is wholly Fahad Fazil's who seems to having a point to prove after a pretty lean patch last year. He has just turned the corners with penance. As a demure Mahesh who gets into an almost obsessive retaliatory mode he is just brilliant. He is back to his "Annayum Rasoolum" days in the romantic portions. He is well supported by bevy of seasoned actors with Alancier Lay as the earthy Baby and our favorite PT master of "Premam" Soubin Shahir as Crispin deserving special mention. Among the ladies, Anushree don't have much to do while the newbie Aparna Balamurali sizzles the screen even in her washed out avatar. She is so sprightly on screen and is a live wire. 

Movie's technical details are adequate not overpowering the script. Shyju Khalid's cinematography is more portraitish than landscapish which is what the movie warrants. It superbly portrays the raw emotions and mundane humour of Idukki than just taking us on a touristic voyage. Similarly Bijibal's music is simplistic and earthy that fits with the narration with elan. 

On the whole, "Maheshinte Prathikaaram" is an enjoyable ride through the hills and valleys of human emotions conceived and presented in a simplistic manner possible that is sure to bring cheers at the end. 

Bottomline: Sweet revenge.

3.5/5