Cast: Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Dileep, Prithviraj, Indrajith, Mukesh, Jagathy Sreekumar, Manoj.K.Jayan, Kalabhavan Mani, Jayasurya, Manikuttan, Kunchacko Boban, Siddique, Suraaj Venjaramoodu, Babu Antony, Kavya Madhavan, Bhavana, Gopika, Nayantara etc.
Director: Joshi. Producer: Dileep. Screenplay & Story Writer: Udayakrishna Sibi K. Thomas
A movie like this may be a first in the world. Many super stars of renowned Malayalam cinema joining hands to create a spectacular film made to help an association known as 'Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA)' which is an association of artists who work for Malayalam cinema.
- A Review by Roshan Nair
What happens when your heart yearns for Suresh-Gopi be-jewelled FIR, smart-action packed Aaraanthampuran crowning Mohanlal and foremost a hardcore-investigating suspense Badshah of Mollywood Mammootty in CBI series join hands? You go and grab yourself tickets to the very new, on the stage, out from the oven, Twenty Twenty!
It is a fresh, commendable, and honest effort and hard-shed sweat of few on and off-the-screen which can be seen as the success-halo which is beaming its rays behind "the stand" of Twenty Twenty!
I saw this movie in Dubai with my wife, who is a non-malayali. Although a non-malayali, the fact that she is seeing this movie, realising my excitement about it, made clear why this movie is a pride of every Malayali's heart. Also, the movie has earned reputation and place in record books penning itself to commemorate the grandeur of every calm, non-glamorous, non-attention-seeking, yet splendid reel-models.
Although this movie looks like a commercial masala with a typical storyline and a predictable "hero-always-wins" ending, it has few jumps and surprises which the writer has tried his sleeves on. I will not be surprised if we can see our lips trying to meet the ears starting the form of a small grin, making us admire how the writer gave equal importance to every star as per the capacities of the story.
A peep into the story: at first, we see retired Justice Viswanathan Menon (Madhu) returning from Delhi to his ancestral home. At his home in Kerala, we have Kuttisankaran (Innocent) and other domestic helpers team (played by Cochin Haneefa, Harisri Asokan, Kochu Preman, and Kalpana) waiting for us to be entertained with bouts of comedy. Kuttisankaran is looking after the Justice's house with the help of the rest of the domestic helpers.
From there, we hear from Bangalore that Justices grandson Arun (Indrajith), a medical student in Bangalore, is taken into police custody by Antony Punnakkadan (Suresh Gopi) the dreaded SP of police, for a murder. Family's festive mood after return of the Justice' from Delhi turns sour at the news of the arrest. Justice reins in his brilliant lawyer Ramesan Nambiar (Mammootty). Nambiar arrives after a dramatic drive at the court to rescue Arun. Ramesan Nambiar had been practicing under Justice and Viswanathan Menon nurtured him as his lead assistant. He has great adoration for his well groomed successor who also inherited his professional goodwill. Ramesan Nambiar’s expertise gets Arun out without being convicted.
In a twist, soon, Arun is murdered and Devan (Mohanlal) is framed in it. However Deavn pleads innocence. The way Mohanlal was introduced, must have made his fans nervous. But he quickly morphs into something much more gigantic, bringing a riveting performance. Ramesan Nambiar returns to the court this time to rescue poor Devan on the heartfelt pleas of his much saddened and poor mother and sister. This time Ramesan is caught off guard by the ensuing events. Plot thickens and we are taken back to Bangalore for the flashback.
Overall the crew pull together a gripping three hour drama. Though at the core, story is nothing new. However, great performance from each and everyone and ease at which story flowed, made the movie a treat to watch. Climax was a bit unexpected and weak but that's forgivable for the fact that climax is the toughest part in a movie to bring to perfection.
Director Joshy and script writers Sibi K. Thomas and Udayakrishnan, Mammootty and Mohanlan and all others who supported them did a remarkable job and handled each ones departments very well. The crew need to be praised for balancing the potential clash of image of the super stars. Younger actors such as Prithviraj, Jayasurya, and Kunchacko Boban make a small appearance with Nayan Thara who is the heart throb of South India currently. Meera Jasmine, Thilakan, Nedumudi etc are notable left outs of this mega venture.
Film is a must watch for the presence of the cream of Malayalam cinema. Songs are passable. Story has nothing new. Plot is very ordinary. When you are trying to balance and take care of image of the stalwarts of Malayalam cinema, this is possibly the best you can achieve. I felt that Suresh Gopi has delivered the most stunning performance. But it is for you to see the movie and call your beloved actor to be chosen and touted the best.
6 marks out of 10.
The film is below average only. The only scene worth mentioning in the movie is Mohanlal's Twist scene, where we see a totally different Lal than what was introduced first. Songs r bad. But one can watch the movie as its a special type of movie which casts amost all Mollywood actors.
Posted by: Anand | Jan 10, 2009 at 04:05 PM