Cast: Tovino Thomas, Guru Somasundaram, Aju Varghese, Femina George
Music: Sushin Shyam
Direction: Basil Joseph
Minnal Murali was my most anticipated film this year despite being someone who is least interested in super-hero films. I guess it’s because I have always enjoyed the origin stories of super-hero than they saying the world stories. This film is the origin story of our home grown super hero ‘Minnal Murali’.
The film is set in a village which in itself is refreshing. Most super-hero films are either set in a dystopian world or in an urban, metropolitan cities. This results in some earnest emotions. We experienced it in Android Kunjappan, in which a robot was brought to a village in Kerala. Jaison (Tovino Thomas), is our hero, who is a tailor desperately trying to move to USA. One day a lightning struck him. After that incident, he starts realizing some powers he possess. Similarly, the same lightning struck Shibu (Guru Somasundaram). That was a pleasure surprise, to experience the villain origin story also.
Shibu is neglected by everyone as his mother was a lunatic. He yearns for the one person who showed affection towards him, Usha (Shelly Kishore). His story is emotional and endearing that one might feel bad for him turning into a bad guy. Both the hero and villain character arcs are brilliantly written. We have a love story for villain and not for a hero. They both start their journey in a similar way. They both are near their loved one’s house when the lightning struck them. After that incident, Jaison is playful about his super powers, whereas Shibu realizes the value and uses it for important things. Both the hero and villain doesn’t have an objective to save and kill the world respectively. It’s the happenings that push that to either sides of the line. I absolutely loved how they brought the saving the people angle organically. Its genius stuff.
The film is not only about these two characters. The writing well establishes the other characters living in that village. Be it Jaison’s nephew or doctor or Karate Master or the police characters, ever one leave a lasting impact and make the film grounded. The humour with these characters is absolute hilarious. Especially with the doctor and Jaison’s nephew. The humour makes up for a bit stretched second half. The super hero elements and the humour makes this film an absolute fun ride. Only thing that was going through in my mind all through the fun right was that if only the background score was good, the superhero elevation scenes would’ve been an electrifying.
Verdict: Basil Joseph delivers a roller coaster ride with this super-hero origin story
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