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Last Updated Monday November 23 2020 07:49 AM IST
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Munnariyippu: Captivating finesse, arresting ambience

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Munnariyippu A scene from the film Munnariyippu

Except for the fastidious take off to bring the characters right into the centre of the business and a climax that will take some time to go down well with the common audience, Munnariyippu is a harbinger to a change in the style of story telling. Once in track, there is no looking back, the gripping narrative is well buttressed by mellifluous strain of music.

The film proves beyond doubt that the story is the protagonist in the film. Laced with philosophical undertones, the dialogues are sublimely orchestrated. The transformation of the viewers into a different plain as live spectators of the events unfurling before them underscores the intense feelings generated by the plot.

Mammootty as Raghavan and Aparna Gopinath as journalist Anjali Arackal grabs the attention span with stellar performances complemented by equally gripping array of talent from Nedumudi Venu, Joy Mathew, Prathap Pothan, Renji Panicker, Sreeraman and Saiju Kurup to Prithviraj, who appears in a cameo.

Munnariyippu A still from the movie Munnariyippu

It's noticeable that the characters keep well within the precincts of the atmosphere. Yet, it is Mammootty's character that stands out, stunningly. He is every every inch the Rahgavan of the film, in looks and in conduct. The element of his character reaches its zenith in the dialogue where he says that in the jail too the night's meal is served in the evening. Aparna makes no mistake about the role she portrays, either. Her body language maintains a definitive aspect of the character. She has kept it to the point – nothing more nothing less, hitting the nail right on its head and finally comes up with a rocking performance.

The dialogues are natural yet artistic. Though certain sequences are deliberately soft pedalled for the sake of the conciseness, like the release of Raghavan from the jail, the whole ensemble is evenly poised. The narrative leaves a lasting impact long after you leave the theatre and most of the scenes keep flashing for a period longer still. It's a fresh story told in an arresting ambiance. However, the incongruity in the nature of the main character towards the end and his deed may not find enough takers.

Munnariyippu The narrative leaves a lasting impact long after you leave the theatre.

An ace cinematographer that he is, Venu has been meticulous in making each of the frames equally graceful. The story moves on diluting the artistic and the mundane elements, confusing the audience, or rather, leaving them no room to draw a line between the aesthetics and the commonplace. The director has successfully weaved the subtle nuances into a seamless artistic piece striking a right balance in tone, colour and mood of the film.

The versatile treatment ensures that the plot and the events are etched in memory's sloppy terrain. Music by Bijibal is exceptional. The film editing by Bina lends finesse to the movie. Offering an experience which Malayali audience has so far been alien to, Munnariyippu gives an artistic mix of what is captivating as well as outlandish in terms of narrative, thanks to the brilliant work by script writer Unni R. It can be viewed as a movie with a different approach. Or the story of a person with a strange aptitude.

Rating: 3.5/5

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