Too Short & a little sweet (Neelathamara)

Movie : Neelathamara (Malayalam)

Credits:
Suresh Kumar (Revathy Kalamandir) (Production)
LalJose (Direction)
M T Vasudevan Nair (Script)
Vijay Ulaganath (Cinematography)
Gokul Das (Art direction)
Vidyasagar (Music)

Too Short & a little sweet!

Suresh Kumar of Revathy Kalamandir is an intelligent investor. Rope in a good director and re-do an old movie, make it visually attractive, spend less on cast and more on songs, promos & marketing – it brings a good return! The 1979 movie penned by classic writer MT Vasudevan Nair and directed by Yusuff Ali Kecheri went un-noticed. What the producer and director attempted to is a commendable initiative – there are many movies of the past failed to get the attention that they deserved and we would be at an advantage to have them come back with a fresh cast!
After watching the movie, you feel like having read a short story - the thread that short and simple. The movie opens in 2009, where Kizhakkeppatt Malukkutti Amma, a lady in her 80s (Sreedevi Unni) is bedridden and is in search of a maid. The lady’s daughter-in-law Ratnam (Jaya Menon) and granddaughter Beena (Ratnam’s daughter) are visiting her. Apparently, Beena and Ratnam are at odds as Beena doesn’t seem to digest her mother’s re-marriage following her father’s death. Enter Kunjimaalu, their old maid (Asianet fame Parvathy) who offers support to take care of the old lady. She appears to be quite well settled, and updates Ratnam about her husband and children. As they converse the memories take both the ladies to their lingering and nostalgic past.
The cast changes as the movie goes to the flashback – Kunjimalu (Archana Kavi) is being brought to the Kizhakkeppat bunglow as a maid. She is well received and taken care of by Malukkutti Amma (Sreedevi Unni sans a wig). Shaarathe Ammini (Rima Kallingal) is their neighbor and Kunjimalu’s friend. Haridas (Kailash) Malukkutti Amma’s son comes home after completing his LLB degree. As heard in many other stories the young flirt tries to woo the maid. After a lot of initial resistance, Kunjimalu’s infatuation leads her to Haridas’ bedroom. Typical again, the matriarchal system suggests an early marriage for Haridas with his fiancé Ratnam (Samvritha Sunil). Kunjimalu is cheated and devastated, as Haridas seem to take everything for granted. An intelligent Ratnam, digs the past quite easily during the first few days of their marriage and confronts her husband!
Something peculiar in the neighborhood is a temple and the rare phenomenon of a blue color lotus like flower which blooms once in a while (and hence the name neelathamara). It is believed that when people do genuine prayers to the god, this flower blooms in the pond as a proof that the prayers got answered. The entire story revolves around this unique concept and is well linked to it until the climax.
Good things first: A great thought and attempt to bring back a rather un-noticed movie of the past. Lal Jose proves his class as a director. The theme is well laced with romance and sensuality, so that the new generation doesn’t really feel out of place while watching the movie. It also leaves a feeling of nostalgia among many. The director had been creative enough in visualizing how things would have changed after 30 years. Due attention have been given in re-creating the characters, and finding fitting replacements to each of them. Quite thoughtful that the character of Ratnam retains the voice of Samvritha Sunil, even in the older age. Kukku Parameswaran does a good job as costume designer.
Cinematography by Vijay Ulaganathan, Art direction by Gokuldas – both needs commendation as it serves a key role in recreating the 70s. Vidyasagar blows us off with 2 songs – Neelathamaree, and Anuraga Vilochananaayi. Casting is good - Archana was splashed on to the minds of Malayalees as a new sensation and she has taken all efforts to don the role of Kunjimalu to perfection. Sridevi Unni is excellent as Malukkutti Amma, Kailash is just fine as Haridas. Samvritha Sunil, who plays the well-read, smart and mature Ratnam of the 70s, steals the show even though hers is an extended cameo.
The negatives: The movie is too short of content. Nothing much to be shown as a movie and 2 hours is just more than enough for what is to be told. The end is rather abrupt - the audience doesn’t seem to come into terms with it, when the movie ends. Unfit to the character and weird in dialogue delivery, Rima Kallingal misses the bus in the role of Ammini - a character that was expected to leave a mark in the minds of the viewers. With all the homework done and extra effort to re-create the 70s, the director and crew commit an unpardonable mistake! In a long shot where Kunjimalu goes till the bank of the river to call Haridas, one can spot the high raise buildings of MES College, Kuttippuram, which came up in the late 90s!

Verdict: Don’t go with tall expectations! If you read MT, Basheer and the likes, you MAY like it!