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sandeep-kanavu
Reviews
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009)
Bottomline: Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja: 'Tour De Force'.
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja is a movie that is far beyond anything that the small little Malayalam industry has served. It is a unique other-worldly experience and we do feel like we lived with the characters in the film. A LOT of reviews have positively and negatively put this film up with foreign films, I don't think that is necessary. As an industry that has served several good films (from the same makers) in the past, we have nothing to prove to this world. But as an industry, that is on the verge of degradation in terms of content (If you have seen Malayalam films in the last decade and a half), we have a lot to prove to ourselves. The movie and its makers are as rebellious as the title character portrayed regally by Mammootty. The movie is a much needed milestone and it has an unbeatable and undeniable force that stirs our hearts which has been numbed by other movies in recent times. Whether you like it or not, Pazhassi Raja is the single most important film in this century for the Malayalam industry, and its unprecedented success proves that it is also one of the most loved films.
Now for the points:
HARIHARAN: If people throw praises at someone like Shankar for making a Sivaji (said to be the most expensive in Tamil), then we should all fall at Hariharan's feet for captaining the biggest ship from Kerala. This is a project that deserves a lot of concentration, and of course thanks to the press, we all know about the many obstacles the crew faced. There are no words to describe his efforts. He has made no compromises and it is evident. I can't recall another Malayalam film where there are so many memorable visuals and heavy scenes. The war sequences were extremely well constructed. Some of the scenes are unbelievably crafted and I would like to name them but there are far too many and are potential spoilers. Pure raw tangible class.
VASUDEVAN NAIR: This is probably the most unique screenplay ever for a historical. The way it picks up pace is enchanting. He has given space for so many characters to grow, and if the memory of a Chandhu or Neeli or Kungan or Pazhassi or Ambu or Baber or Dora or Moopan or even Mamukkoya lasts with us, it's because of the space Nair has given them and the performances that Hariharan has taken out of them. Nair is in expected form.
MAMMOOTTY: After Pothanvava, Maya bazaar, Pattanathil Bhootham, Parundhu, Nasrani, Bigb, Annanthambi, love in Mylapore or wherever... Mammooty has finally redeemed himself. Please act in more of such roles. Don't do the mimicry bits any more. I doubt if any other actor can have the kind of aura Mammootty has around him. He was Majestic.
There can be pages and pages written about the supporting cast such as Manoj, Sarath, Padma, Kanihaa, Jagathy, Captain Raju, Lalu Alex, etc. But we'd have to write a book about how important this film is then. Ravi Divan's actions were great and unlike others I didn't find the rope tricks to be annoying (Aren't we used to it?). Maybe it was because I watched crouching tiger recently and didn't question that.Resul's work was special too. Sreekar Prasad did some brilliant work especially in the war sequences. Art direction needs special mention. It was splendid (not sure who it was done by though).
Overall: Just like how another review mentioned, Pazhassi Raja is a 'Tour De Force' that is miles and miles ahead of anything that Malayalam cinema has ever served and we have only Hariharan, Gokulam Gopalan and Vasudevan Nair to thank for it.