The Neil Vincent Review of 'Ayalum Njanum Thammil': 4/5 Stars
Every once in a while, there will happen a movie that touches you very deeply. You relate to its characters and feel a bond with them; and leave your seat with moist eyes. Lal Jose's "Ayalum Njanum Thammil" is one such movie. I don't think anyone doubts Lal Jose's genius but this is by far his best movie. What I loved most about this movie was its sincerity and the respect the makers had for the intelligence audience! No over the top drama or madness. ANT is proof that there exists sensible cinema which also pays commercial dividends.
The movie is a coming of age tale of Dr.Ravi Tharakan. It begins in the present day and keeps switching between his past and the present. Narian, Samvritha and Siddharth as his college mates aide in generating peals of laughter as they tell the story of doctors and medical education in Kerala. Kalabhavan Mani's is a policeman who highly intrigued me. It explained the very simple reason why doctors are bestowed with so much respect. . Remya Nanbeesam and Rima Kallingal are quite apt for their roles along with Salim Kumar (who happens to be one of my favorite actors)
Pratap Pothen and Prithviraj are stellar in this movie. Pratap Pothen is an outright genius of an actor. His performance as Dr. Samuel mentoring Dr.Ravi Tharakan (Prithviraj Sukamaran) was stand out and their chemistry would bring tears to your eyes.
Jomon T John is a cinema prodigy and this movie is further proof of that. He shows you some incredible sights of Munnar that will make "Swiss flying directors" rethink on their shooting locations. The music of the pen of Ouseppachan and Sarath and soothing and will continue to haunt way after you have left the cinema.
I honestly think I'm not worthy to review this movie, because it could well be one of the best Malayalam movies made to date but then again I'm a critic and an aspiring actor; aren't I?
Now go watch this movie and you will not unlike it on Facebook or otherwise!
