Cross-posting FK review. For further analysis and comments go to the FK.
Theatre: Innovative Multiplex, Bangalore
Show: 12:30 P.M, 25th June 2011
Status: 15 in Balcony, Must be around the same in First Class
To be frank I had braced myself to expect disappointment when I went to watch the movie. Sometimes arthouse movie critics simply rave about a movie just because of the theme, irrespective of its making. All fears aside, the first thing I noticed was that the director did not sacrifice anything on the technical side. Salim Ahmed deserves kudos for the fact that he did not sacrifice any aspect of the making to reduce the cost. Bold, considering the returns that such movies give to the producer.
Unlike other Malayalam parallel/art movies, ABA has decent pacing. Aside from the first 20 minutes or so, the movie has enough pace so that you don't keep glancing into your watch every now and then. I think most of the general audience would be able to sit through the movie without getting bored. Director has done a great job in keeping things tight. He has kept things simple and gets the audience involved right into the idyllic village and Abu's life. There are those little things that strike you like Aishumma holding a lemon every time she goes in a bus, considering the fact that she spends most of her time at home and rarely travels.
Couple of guffaws aside, the script was also really good. The only gripe I have is with the Usthad-Suraj sub-plot which was not very clear to me. Will Suraj be the next Usthad? I loved the way in which Abu's son's role was handled. Very little mention, but it stays throughout our mind even when the words are unsaid. Terrific writing. Salim Ahmed penned some of the most memorable dialogues in a long time which would wet your eyes immediately and even later when you reminisce. One major guffaw was with taking "8" for a car license. Avoidable mistake.
Camera work has been outstanding. Kudos to Madu Ambatt for providing the perfect lighting. The night shots looked really good. His decision to use digital instead of 16mm has paid of rich dividends as the long shots provide a certain amount of richness to the film. BGM was outstanding to say the least. Engrossing yet unobtrusive. Art direction was also upto the mark with Abu's house gave the feel of a frugal yet devout life.
Salim Kumar has done an outstanding job. A truly great performance in Malayalam in a long time. There was only an old Abu in sight and not the laughter inducing Salim Kumar. The expressions, the body language, the style of movement everything was extra-ordinary. Abu's makeup deserves a special mention here. It never felt like makeup at all. Everything down to the milky eyes looked so genuine. Zareena Wahab did really well as well. She depicted Aishumma perfectly. All the other actors did quite well. Mani and Nedumudi Venu deserves a special kudos. Suraj was good within his limitations and showed what a proper director can make out of him. While most, if not all the characters in ABA are innately good, they don't come across as being too good to be true as most other Malayalam movies that preach "goodness".
The success of a movie lies in the fact is that it makes people across strata to think and talk. ABA for me reiterates the age old belief about living an honest life while sticking to your convictions and being a good human being.
TL;DR: Adaminte Makan Abu is a brilliant movie with great performances and an everlasting story. Must watch.
Theatre: Innovative Multiplex, Bangalore
Show: 12:30 P.M, 25th June 2011
Status: 15 in Balcony, Must be around the same in First Class
To be frank I had braced myself to expect disappointment when I went to watch the movie. Sometimes arthouse movie critics simply rave about a movie just because of the theme, irrespective of its making. All fears aside, the first thing I noticed was that the director did not sacrifice anything on the technical side. Salim Ahmed deserves kudos for the fact that he did not sacrifice any aspect of the making to reduce the cost. Bold, considering the returns that such movies give to the producer.
Unlike other Malayalam parallel/art movies, ABA has decent pacing. Aside from the first 20 minutes or so, the movie has enough pace so that you don't keep glancing into your watch every now and then. I think most of the general audience would be able to sit through the movie without getting bored. Director has done a great job in keeping things tight. He has kept things simple and gets the audience involved right into the idyllic village and Abu's life. There are those little things that strike you like Aishumma holding a lemon every time she goes in a bus, considering the fact that she spends most of her time at home and rarely travels.
Couple of guffaws aside, the script was also really good. The only gripe I have is with the Usthad-Suraj sub-plot which was not very clear to me. Will Suraj be the next Usthad? I loved the way in which Abu's son's role was handled. Very little mention, but it stays throughout our mind even when the words are unsaid. Terrific writing. Salim Ahmed penned some of the most memorable dialogues in a long time which would wet your eyes immediately and even later when you reminisce. One major guffaw was with taking "8" for a car license. Avoidable mistake.
Camera work has been outstanding. Kudos to Madu Ambatt for providing the perfect lighting. The night shots looked really good. His decision to use digital instead of 16mm has paid of rich dividends as the long shots provide a certain amount of richness to the film. BGM was outstanding to say the least. Engrossing yet unobtrusive. Art direction was also upto the mark with Abu's house gave the feel of a frugal yet devout life.
Salim Kumar has done an outstanding job. A truly great performance in Malayalam in a long time. There was only an old Abu in sight and not the laughter inducing Salim Kumar. The expressions, the body language, the style of movement everything was extra-ordinary. Abu's makeup deserves a special mention here. It never felt like makeup at all. Everything down to the milky eyes looked so genuine. Zareena Wahab did really well as well. She depicted Aishumma perfectly. All the other actors did quite well. Mani and Nedumudi Venu deserves a special kudos. Suraj was good within his limitations and showed what a proper director can make out of him. While most, if not all the characters in ABA are innately good, they don't come across as being too good to be true as most other Malayalam movies that preach "goodness".
The success of a movie lies in the fact is that it makes people across strata to think and talk. ABA for me reiterates the age old belief about living an honest life while sticking to your convictions and being a good human being.
TL;DR: Adaminte Makan Abu is a brilliant movie with great performances and an everlasting story. Must watch.
