The Rainmaker

Movie: Kadha Thudarunnu
Date: 15th, May 2010.
Language: Malayalam

Review
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Simplicity and Honesty are 2 of the most attractive traits of any story. Malayalam Commercial Cinema's Ace Director Satyan Anthikad's new movie 'Kadha Thudarunnu' has oodles of simplicity and honesty. After few contrived efforts, Satyan is back in form to a great extent and makes 'Kadha Thudarunnu' one of the better movies of the year.

Plot and Direction
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The story of 'Kadha Thudarunnu' moves at a very lovable pace. It neither has those speedy cuts or gimmicks and it is never too slow to make you squirm in your seats.From the word go the movie and the characters look very simple which endears you to the movie. Not made out simple but naturally simple.
Satyan has kept the direction really under control. His famous squandering in the second half doesn't happen this time. Satyan usually contrives his plot in the second half and makes it illogical, atleast in the last 2-3 outings but this time he is in better form. He has also extracted commendable performances from 3 of his 'non-team' members namely, Mamta, the baby girl, Anikha and Asif Ali. Satyan's usual team is in its good form as well (namely KPAC Lalitha, Innocent etc).
Many scenes are really touching espeically when Mamta is shocked and goes to Asif's house. The way it has been handled shows experience. Mamta's escape from Jayaram initially,Jayaram's camping outside the school etc are all good scenes. As the interval arrives, you are sure that this is one of the better movies of the year but the famous Satyan second half miss keeps you concerned. But thankfully this time around, Satyan does better.

Performances
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The movie belongs to two people. Mamta Mohandas as 'Vidyalekshmi' - a young widow and a single parent left alone at the crossroads of life. Mamta is subtle, bold, helpless and vulnerable as the situation demands. She lives through the best role of her life till date.A confident performance which will change the way people think about her as an actress. If her performance in 'Passenger' was an indicator, 'Vidyalekshmi' confirms her potential as an actress.
The second person to whom the movie belongs to is Baby Anikha. She brings so much warmth on the screen that she keeps many screens alive. She is a perfect foil to fill up the scenes which could have felt a bit empty and illogical otherwise. Mamta and Anikha put in winning performances. Natural and Endearing.
Jayaram has nothing much to do but is competant. Asif puts in a good performance. Lakshimi Priya as Malli is also commendable.

Music
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'Kadha Thudarunnu' has 2 of the better tunes from Satyan- Raja combo in 'Aaro' and 'Mazhamegham'. 'Aaro' has been used well in the re-recording.

Negatives
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Some sequences have issues with logic. Why Mamta decides to go the park and stay there (what was the thought behind such a decision) or her move to the platform all seems a bit difficult to digest. Mamta rejoining the Medical College reminds you of 'Vinodayatra' but soon Satyan changes that to a community support for her education and salvages it. But Anikha and Mamta's performances make you forget all these.
Also, the climax which appears to be a sudden twist and a bit forced upon gives you a feeling that it arrived soon out of no where. Its not cliched and usual which is a plus but the end kind of fizzles out a bit.
In short, 'Kadha Thudarunnu' is a good movie. It could have been even better with an ending that was better handled but all said and done, it shows that Satyan has matured as a script writer and has left his usual tendency to contrive things. That for sure is a welcome change.

Verdict - 3.5/5 and 'Simply Good' as Opinion

'Kadha Thudarunnu' - Simple and Honest!