MT. Two letters that have fused with the essence of Malayalam literature, evoking vivid images, deep-set emotions, and unforgettable characters, all deeply rooted in Kerala’s cultural fabric and historical period. This ingrained significance of M.T. Vasudevan Nair creates towering expectations when Malayalam cinema’s finest talents collaborate to bring “Manorathangal,” an anthology celebrating the legendary 91-year-old author’s works. The involvement of celebrated filmmakers, actors, and technicians has stirred high hopes and curiosity among admirers and aficionados.
As one travels through the episodes of the anthology, each prefaced by the inimitable Kamal Haasan, there’s a nostalgic journey back to the films from the 1970s and ’80s, crafted from MT’s scripts. Those films, many of which have withstood the test of time, are shown through performances that effortlessly generated narratives and emotional complexities, albeit with limited resources. By contrast, some sections of “Manorathangal” appear to lack the same natural fluidity and might feel somewhat disjointed.
The anthology’s showrunner, Priyadarshan, delivers a mixed bag. The opening film, “Shilalikithangal,” features an unsparingly dark portrait of a man (Biju Menon) stripped of humanity, juxtaposed against the innate kindness of his daughter. Priyadarshan deftly balances light touches, fleshing out every facet of the protagonist’s grim persona. However, his attempt at remaking “Olavum Theeravum,” pales in comparison. The iconic 1970 version by P. N. Menon carved a path as one of the earliest forays into realistic Malayalam cinema. The new rendition fails to transcend its predecessor’s era, instead coming off as an anachronistic effort with noticeably mismatched casting.
Among the brightest spots is “Kadugannava, Oru Yathra Kurippu,” penned by Ranjith. This story, with autobiographical traces, showcases Mammootty in the role of journalist Venugopal, seamlessly transitioning between his past and present, and highlighting his father’s turbulent history with a Sri Lankan girl. The narrative is minimalist yet powerful, though one may wish for a slightly extended runtime to delve deeper into the characters.
Mahesh Narayanan’s “Sherlock” is indisputably the jewel of the anthology.
. With a captivating treatment of an equally enthralling story, it stands out for its imaginative storytelling. Balu (Fahadh Faasil) navigates a foreign land’s alienation and estrangement with his sister (Nadia Moidu), fostering an unusual bond with a seemingly sentient cat. The storyline resonates, portraying isolation and disconnection from one’s homeland, making a poignant connection to contemporary times.
Shyamaprasad’s “Kazhcha” addresses similar themes of modern estrangement through Sudha (Parvathy Thiruvothu), who yearns for space to pursue her passions, away from her culturally stifling husband (Narain) and societal expectations. Conversely, Aswathy V. Nair, MT’s daughter, does not fully exploit the promising premise of “Vilpana,” involving a middle-aged woman (Madhoo) creatively combating her loneliness and frustration. Rathish Ambat’s “Kadalkattu,” depicting a man’s (Indrajith) internal struggles and his wife Bharathi’s (Aparna Balamurali) life in his absence, also falls short of potential.
Santosh Sivan’s “Abhayam Thedi Veendum,” tops the list of disappointments. It flounders in narrative coherence, rendering it a perplexing watch. Jayaraj’s retake on “Aalkoottathil Thaniye” narrowly redeems itself, thanks to touching performances by Indrans and Nedumudi Venu.
Adapting the words of a literary titan like M.T. Vasudevan Nair on screen demands both audacity and ingenuity. Ironically, many filmmakers in “Manorathangal” seem overawed, reluctant to reimagine MT’s tales into fresh, contemporary contexts. The stilted dialogue delivery in some parts is particularly jarring, not because of how they are scripted but because of their execution.
“Manorathangal” ultimately emerges as a patchy mosaic of masterful strokes and rather dull segments. The underlying stories by MT endure, standing the test of time long after their inception. Yet, this anthology, despite its aspirations, will have only certain segments remembered fondly in the years to come.
“Manorathangal” is currently streaming on ZEE5, inviting viewers to judge its varied interpretations of M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s literary genius.
Malayalam cinema
/
Indian cinema
/
streaming
