Pranayam - Poetry in Motion

Cross-posting my review in Forumkeralam. Visit FK for reactions and comments.
Theatre: Sreekumar
Show: 31-Aug-2011, 2 PM
Status: Balcony - Full, First Class- Not many (where are the bloody fans who fill out multiple theatres on the first day? Shame on you!)

I am still under the spell of the movie. Personally, the best movie I have seen this year and possibly for an even longer period of time. Hats off to Blessy for terrific writing and direction. Pranayam is not a love story, rather a life story. A movie that has a lot of value for someone who wants to lead a happy life. Blessy has penned some of the best lines I have ever heard in a film. Life is an extension of happiness...Imo, the best film from Blessy (taking nothing away from Kazhcha).

This is one of those performances that every fan crave. To show off your favourite actor with pride. Look! This is the man I am talking about! To say Mohanlal is brilliant would be an understatement. He shows his immense screen presence and brilliant performance with limited scenes and even more limited mobility. I strongly believe nobody could have matched him or even come close to what he has done here. Blessy once again deserves kudos for writing such a masterclass character for him.

Anupam Kher can be proud of his work in Pranayam. As the character that drives the movie he exudes an aura of freshness and performs with perfection. Lip sync was a slight irritant in the beginning, but later on I was mesmerized with his performance that I never even noticed it again. Truly awesome! Blessy deserves another pat on the back for such a brilliant casting idea.

Jayaprada was truly a revelation. Brilliant performance. A strong feminine character without the cliched underpinnings. Felt just like a strong woman in real life who loves to live a happy life. Her character was pivotal to the plot and she did a fantastic job. I wanted Sumalatha in the role when the news about this film came. More for the Thoovanathumpikal nostalgia more than anything. I am glad Blessy didnt think like me!

Anoop Menon deserves kudos for a fabulous performance. I really wish he would get meatier roles in future movies. He showed his class and makes one wish he had started out a bit earlier. Other characters were aptly casted with good performances.

Camera work is brilliant. Satish Kurup has done a magnificent job. The lighting and shots were delectable to say the least. Editing, sound, BGM were top class.

Blessy has shown his class once again. After a forgettable outing in Calcutta News and a fragile script in Bhramaram, this is a remarkable comeback (of sorts!).

This movie is a modern classic. There are no two words about it. I would always cherish this movie close to my heart. Once I was confused about what I should do in life. Nothing really made too many sense. I asked a friend: What do you want to be in life? A prompt reply came: Be happy! A moment of truth for me. I feel Pranayam tells the same thing. Live life and be happy. Life is more beautiful than dreams...if you know how to live.

TL;DR: Pranayam is a wonderful experience. A must "feel" movie.

Ratiing: Exquisite!

Bhramaram: The Disquieting Buzz

Cross posting from regular blog.

Watched Bhramaram last Sunday. I wanted to plonk down some multiplex money on the movie as the reports have been pretty good. But my fear of getting to know the entire story made we watch it while I was in Kerala. Money well spent and won't hesitate to watch it again from a plushy multiplex as opposed to the stench I subjected myself to watch the movie.

Bhramaram heralds the return of form for two people Malayalam cinema needs badly. Mohanlal and Blessy, with the latter being even more important. After a couple of woeful outings in the form of Red Chillies and Sagar Alias Jacky, Mohanlal returns what he does best. Acting, as opposed to dressing up and walking up and down.

The life of the movie is Mohanlal and its his show all the way. A good thing this time, as the other actors are at best par and many of them below par. The story is simple and the movie moves along at a crisp pace. The movie is about love, redemption, and revenge. Locations are fabulous and fresh. Camera work is superb and technically the movie is excellent.

The worst point in the movie for me was the annoying acting of the kid acting as Mohanlal's daughter. She spoils the drama and makes you cringe instead of sympathize. Movie could have been made crisper had Blessy avoided the song towards the end (which was pretty dumb in my opinion). He could have cut short the fight sequence or avoided it altogether. Blessy should have taken a queue from his teacher Padmarajan. In Thoovanathumbikal, not a single fight scene is present. Still we strongly feel that Jayakrishnan, the protagonist, is a tough nut. Screenplay could have been tighter and a little more fleshed out. These factors stop the movie from being an outright classic and one at par with the golden stuff our industry gave in the 80's. Movie does remind you of Thaazhvaaram, the classic revenge saga, but this stands a couple of feet shorter next to it due to the avoidable discrepancies.

Blessy's return to form is welcome after the disaster of Calcutta News. Me personally enjoyed Bhramaram more than Thanmaathra. Bold statement! May be its just me that feels the artificiality projected by happy families in Blessy's movies.

Verdict: Watch it! You certainly won't regret it!