Movie: Happy Husbands
Language: Malayalam
Date: 26th Jan 2010
Review
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'Happy Husbands' brings to Malayalam the kind of comedy that has been ruling the roost in Bollywood since a few years now. Try watching some Bollywood movies
like 'Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya', 'Golmaal', 'Golmaal Returns' and one will get a better idea of the kind of comedy presented in 'Happy Husbands'. The prime characters in these comedies are young, either bachelors or just recently married. The major ingredients are hep costumes, bright colors, lovely locations, below the belt kind of humor and some confusion. Most of these comedies show 'marriage' or 'commitment' in negative humorous way. From over the top expressions to contrived situations to the sound that comes when a character commits a conversational goof-up, you can trace all this down to these kind of comedy films mentioned above.
And icing on the cake is that content wise, 'Happy Husbands' is a near scene by scene copy of the Bollywood comedy 'No Entry' which was inspired 'xth' version of a Tamil movie 'Charlie Chaplin' (duly acknowledged in the title by the makers here).
The only novelty - All these 'comedy effects' look quite new in Malayalam and the actors carry the movie well.
Script and Direction
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As its been copied, there is nothing much to say about the story or script. Screenplay and Direction has been neatly handled by this promising guy, Saji Surendran. He is a promise for the future of Malayalam Commercial Cinema. He exactly knows what he is doing and holds the movie tightly together, scene after scene. For those who have watched 'No Entry', it can turn to be a bit boring as each sequence can be fore told. For others, it should be a fair time pass.
Cast
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Of the cast, the most impressive in terms of a surprise is undoubtedly 'Indrajith'. He is cool as the handsome hunk who is a big time flirt. That is a difficult role only considering the way heroes are in Malayalam. But Indrajith impresses. As the hero of the movie, in terms of pure screen space, its Jayaram who leaves an impression but spoils it many a times with his over the top expressions and acting. Jayasurya shows why Malayalam actors are far ahead of the usual brigade in Bollywood. A forgetful character by Fardeen Khan in 'No Entry' rises above the because of Jayasurya's comic timing.
Of the ladies, its Bhavana who impresses. Samvratha and Vandana are so-so. Rima Kallingal tries too hard but fails to do the Seductress Bipasha act.
Music is average. The 'Happy Husbands...' title track is unexpectedly good as used in the movie and it comes up whenever there is a goof up. (aka the bollywood
comedy movies). The 'Take it Easy...' track is irritating to say the least.
On the whole, Saji Surendran avoids the serial tear jerker model this time which he used to spoil the second half in 'Ivar Vivahitarayal'. He does justice to the concept,
genre and sequences but sorry that there is neither logic or creativity.
Verdict - 3/5 as Rating and 'Time pass Entertainer' as an opinion.
'Happy Husbands' - ' A logic less time pass movie'
Movie: Ividam Swargamanu
Language: Malayalam
Date: Jan 14, 2010
Review
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It’s a delight to see an actor do something that you have always liked doing him. And Mohanlal as 'Mathews' in the movie 'Ividam Swargamanu', does the same.
For those who have loved seeing him as a simpleton, a common man and someone who has taken a different route in life, this movie would surely be a lovable watch.
'Ividam Swargamanu' needs applause for the subject that it has chosen and the study that has gone behind it. Its no way near being the best cinema that you might have seen this year but ends up being a just about good movie.
+ Ves
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The subject about a simple man who chose to become a farmer instead of taking a 'white collar' job. His fight against the system that is trying to snatch away his land
and efforts. Finally, how he defeats the evil forces using his 'grey cells' (not with muscles, for a change) is something delightful.
The effort put behind the study incase of the land deals and how the land mafia works is worth a watch for sure. Jagathy's character is delightful and his 'methods' are an eye opener to all the innocent people in this world who trust blindly. James Albert needs to be applauded for this effort.
Mohanlal as Mathews is superb to watch. He is so natural and his scenes with Priyanka, Lalu Alex, Shanker were a treat to watch. It was almost as if it was the return of Mohanlal of old times. What makes 'Ividam Swargamanu' convincing is the way Mohanlal has played 'Mathews'. The movie was supposedly based on the farm but when you come out what you remember is 'Mathews' and not the farm. That’s the victory of Mohanlal.
Priyanka acted natural with some mint cool confidence. She needs to get better roles. Thilakan, Shanker, Kaviyoor Ponnamma were as usual. Jagathy was superb. Lalu Alex was at times good and at times didn't create much impact. But this one is one of his better roles.
-Ves
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The level which Lal Jose could raise James Albert's 'Classmates' to, Roshan fails to do the same with 'Ividam Swargamanu'. Sometimes the movie goes too much in to details and starts dragging towards the pre-climax portion.
The farm never captures much of your imagination. What probably does is the character Mathews's effort behind it and his choice to become a farmer even though he was talented in studies. The farm could have been better presented which could have emotionally held the audience when land mafia tries to grab it. Especially as ‘Land Grabbing’ is the subject and with the title of the movie, the farm should have stayed our hearts but it doesn't much do that. Perhaps, cue can be taken from still alive memories of the farm from 'Nammakku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal'.
The interval arrives at probably the most unimaginative place. That could have been better handled in the narrative. Even as the end credits roll, the scenes go on.
Perhaps Writer James Albert wrote way too much and Director Roshan clearly looks unaware at times what to have on screen and what not. But what Roshan successfully
does is extract good performances from Lal and most of the crew. Also, he never makes the movie look like a damp squib. That’s to his credit.
Lekshmi Rai puts in quite the worst performance of the movie. Lekshmi Gopalswami is tad better.
Lack of songs is something the creators should have worked upon. A subject like this deserves one. Gopi Sunder tries to be too smart with the BGM sometimes and flounders but at times does good work as well.
In the end, 'Ividam Swargamanu' just about manages to be a good movie basically because of the theme, script and superb performance by Mohanlal
Verdict :- 3.5 / 5 and 'Just about Good' as Opinion.
Ividam Swargamanu - Mathews inte Lokam.
Movie: 3 Idiots
Language: Hindi
Date: 31st Dec
Dairy Notes
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'Save the best for the last' is something we always have heard over time. As the new year of 2010, closed in and as I watched the second show on 31st of Dec, 2009, perhaps I felt that 2009 had saved me its best movie towards its very end. Yes, '3 Idiots' is the best entertainer I have seen this year.
'3 Idiots' is nothing extra ordinary. Its not earth shattering message about the flaws in Indian Educational System. Its not hard hitting as say a 'Taare Zameen Par' or 'Rang De Basanti', yet in its own simple way, it throws light on choosing a profession that you love to, about coming of age and realizing one's own wish, of standing up for your friends and giving your life for them. All this told in the most entertaining screenplay is delightful.
'3 Idiots' will make you laugh out loud. After a long time, I did that honestly at a Hindi movie. And it can make your eyes moist as well.
The ultimate winner in the entire fare is Raju Hirani. Though inspired from Chetan Bhagat's 'Five Point Someone', it has been well changed and adapted as a movie. Only a few basic aspects have been adapted.Both the book and the movie are good in their respective places. Personally, I like the movie better.
Aamir Khan is awesome once again. His ability to convince me each time with a role is superb. Its a treat to watch him as a young college goer who is different from the pack and thinks independently is beautifully written. The way he stands for his friends and makes men out of them is heart pleasingly realistic.
Madhavan and Sharman are realistic in their roles. Boman Irani wins accolades with the second best performancein the movie after Aamir. Kareena is routine stuff but fine.
Scenes and Sequences are delightful. Ragging Scene, Farhan Nitrate Scene, Chamatkar Scene, Sharman's home scenes,..One can go on and on.... '3 Idiots' is delightful.
The biggest negative one may find with '3 Idiots' is that it gets too filmy at few scenes. The delivery of the baby done by the 3 friends and the baby coming to life with 'All is Well' was somewhat well handled but filmy. The reason why Rancho avoids everyone and leaves after college is never known though we can link it to his real roots.
But all said and done, I am convinced that I had the best time I could have had with '3 Idiots'. I laughed out loud most of the time and many a scenes were thought provoking and made us think. And it also gets one moist eyed.
I am rating '3 Idiots' as 4/5 and calling it ' The Best Entertainer of the Year'.
Thanks Raju and Aamir, we are laughing our way in to 2010.