Sheela's comeback is a pleasant surprise. Review on Manassinakkare Movie

Foreword: I wanted to write a review for this movie and requested its inclusion in the database. The request was granted but the entry was made wrongly under 'Tamil Movies' category.

For those who don't know already, Manassinakkare is a Malayalam movie - the latest release from Sathyan Anthikkad, the director whose films (well, most of them) are as refreshing as the village air in Kerala.

Manassinakkare is also in news as the comeback film of Sheela, one of the leading actresses of the black-and-white (and early colour) era. Sheela returns after a silence of more than two decades, doing the role of 'Thresiammachettathi', the central character in this movie.

Let's get to the topic: I am in two minds about revealing the plot of this movie. I think the best thing to do will be to reveal as little as possible and concentrate on the technicalities.

Can I start at the bottom line first? The movie is one of the better Malayalam movies I've seen of late. (It ranks below Nandanam, certainly). I'd recommend it, with the caution that it's in no way a Sathyan masterpiece. In fact Sathyan doesn't have masterpieces. Like most of his movies, this is an immensely watchable movie, with lots of light humour, good characterization and some scintillating performances.

There is nothing great about the plot. Its about this rich, old, cheerful, lovable christian widow (Sheela) discovering that her children (all grown-ups with their own families) care more about her money and property than about her own well-being, and that she no-longer has the freedom to do her own things or to live her own life, and eventually getting all the lost love from outside her family - the young man (Jayaram) who runs a chicken shop and his lovely neighbour Gauri (Nayantara).

I've just stated it in the simplest of terms. There's a lot more to it - I hate to reveal stories.

Coming to performances, Sheela is stunning. It's difficult to see that she's facing the camera after a very long break. She comes as a surprise package, a bundle of energy, radiating cheerfulness and positive attitude all around. Her screen presence is amazing. This is a very different Sheela, not the shy heroine who was often overshadowed by the likes of the legendary Prem Nazir who acted opposite her.

Jayaram, Siddique (Sheela's son in the movie), Innocent, Oduvil, Nedumudi, KPAC Lalitha et al are all at their natural best, as usual. The viewer feels totally at home with the cast, the performances and the setting, thanks to Sathyan's ability to portray life in the simplest and most natural ways. This notwithstanding, I still wouldn't rate this among Sathyan's best movies. There's something amiss, and you'll be left wondering what it is.

Nayantara, the heroine, hasn't done anything commendable. But she has managed her role fairly well, and has also managed to look very good in the process.

The songs are fine, but nothing special. All of them are tuned by Illaiyaraja. Sathyan films have never been musical hits, though his association with Johnson has produced many hit songs in the past.

More than Johnson's music, one misses Vipin Mohan's camera in Manassinakkare. Vipin Mohan's cinematography has been an essential ingredient of any Sathyan movie in the past, and an integral part of Sathyan's cinematic language. Manassinakkare's cinematographer is Alagappan, who I agree is a very good technician. He has done a good job too - but this is where the difference lies. Nobody notices the cinematography when it's Vipin Mohan behind the camera. His work blends with the movie and is hardly noticeable. No breathtaking frames, no artistic lighting - nothing worth mentioning at all, except the simplicity and freshness of the whole visual experience.

The action scenes weren't necessary. Jayaram's character was portrayed like those typical tough heroes who can handle many at a time. It only helped to make it look like a Rajasenan movie at times. Don't worry, there are only a couple of fight scenes, and even the ones shown are very short. My only point is that it wasn't really necessary to show this guy as a superman.

Summing up, I would recommend this movie. There are some very good performances, some touching scenes, some hilarious ones too, and a fast-moving script. The movie is obviously a better choice than the usual slapstick comedies that rule the theaters in Kerala these days.