The Rainmaker

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.