School tales seem to be the flavour of the season. Right from Oru Adaar Love to June to Pathinettam Padi and Thanneer Mathan, Mollywood movie buffs seems to have developed a liking to embrace contrasting classroom plots.
And undoubtedly, Thanneer Mathan Dinangal is delightfully relatable with a delicious platter of a plot.
The movie opens with a fight sequence where the leader of a gang arrives and ask for a guy named Basil. Fifteen minutes into the film and we are introduced to the premise that set the opening fight sequence. And moments later, we are left to laugh out loud. That's how the graph of the movie unravels -- a serious situation handled on a lighter note which keeps audience engrossed.
In order to prove that he is a studious guy, Jaison (Mathew) joins science batch. Though this act of his gains him traction among his classmates, a few are annoyed by this 'intellectual attitude' of his. And thus comes a day when he needed to unmask his true self and make friends with the back-benchers. Jaison, gradually develops a liking towards his classmate Keerthy (Anaswara Rajan) but do not express his feelings initially.
In course of time, a new teacher, Ravi Padmanabhan, played by Vineeth Sreenivasan ariives. Right from the very first class, while the whole class admires the new teacher, Jaison gets irked by his mannerisms. The cold war between the teacher and student intensifies more when Keerthy disapproves of Jaison's interest and seems to be getting close with Ravi sir. Jaison, thus faces his three poignant episodes of his life. One being Ravi sir and the second is Keerthy. The third, we leave it to you for a good watch.
Debutant director Girish AD, who has co-written the script with Dinoy Poulose, presents a naturalistic and easygoing storytelling style. And this syncs with the plot. The filmmakers make use of the potential of situational comedies and extract excellent performances. Be it classroom settings, the lighter moments during cricket match, the conversations while eating watermelon and puffs -– the movie's script is gripping.
The biggest strength of the movie lies in the performance of actors.
Mathew is undeniably the star here. He perfectly carries the immaturity and innate expressions needed for the character. Anaswara Rajan is no different. She is natural and extremely likeable. So is Vineeth Sreenivasan.
This is probably the first time he is seen in a role -- though a shade of it was evident in Kunjiramayanam – which demands an unusual sense of comic timing. The unique manner in which he addresses 'Jaisaa' underlines the fact that he has easily relished the character. The other characters including students, teachers and their family members too have equally contributed.
By this point in the film, one is left to wonder as to how the film will end. The climax comes abruptly and dramatically such that it usurpes the delight the movie offered initially. However, the movie works out for the fun ride it offers.
While Jomon T John and Vinod Illampilly's cinematography brings in refreshing effect, Justin Varghese's music and Shameer Muhammed's cuts sets the right pace to the movie.
A fun-filled entertainer, Thanneer Mathan Dinangal is a charming tale of school life. Movie buffs won't hestiate to watch it again and again for the warmth it spreads.
