It is not easy to give ten ratings out of ten for any movie. But Kumbalangi Nights deserve it. It is never a movie. Because a movie requires acting, artificial setting of events, perceptions, incidents forcing you either to laugh or to cry or whatever. Kumbalangi opposes everything including the preset norms of the society and the conventions in cinema and everything. Of course there are elements which the movie could have done better without. But the movie becomes a success by making the audience ignorant about it's flaws. The perfection within the movie stays in our mind the moment we enter out of the theater post movie.
Shane Nigam proves to be a promise for Malayalam cinema. He is natural when it comes to acting. His biggest achievement is letting go of the permanent gloom upon his face which was spotted in his early movies. Shane as Bobby is energetic. Soubin Shahir creates new boundaries for comedy actors by proving that he is an all-rounder once again. The actor portraying the youngest brother was also good though he shared less screen space than his co-actors. The biggest performance in the movie is obviously Fahad Faasil's. The guy nailed his role with cent percent perfection. To portray a grey shade character during the peak time of his career is the biggest risk for any actor. Still Fahad chosing the character proves his dedication to film industry. Shammi is creepy but his character will influence you throughout the movie. Normally the trend is that an actor do one perfect role in his career, he is hailed by the population as well as the social media and by the very next film, he is termed 'not up to the mark like the previous.' Fahad Faasil is one of the rarest of actors who are beyond such terminologies.
The pillars holding the plot intact are the female characters in the movie. Though it is not necessarily a women-centrist movie, the ladies have done justice to their part with their bold performances. Each female character had to face consequences. They are subject to misogyny and sexism. But at some point or the other they break the traditional norms which sets cage to women.
There is no Kumbalangi Nights without the women.
Shyam Pushkaran deserves the most praise for this movie. Through the movie, at instances I have thought how in the world did this dude get to this ideas. I give him a big salute for conceiving the character of Shammi and developing it. It requires extreme creativity to go deep into psychological tremors experienced by mentally challenged person who happens to be a chauvinist. The claps happening towards the climax is the proof of Shyam's creative genius mind.
For a debutante, Madhu C Narayanan did justice in directing this movie. Never in an instance did the movie made the audience feel like this is the first directorial attempt of a person which is an excellent start. The setting of the movie is great and provides a vibe. The beauty of the rural was brilliantly portrayed through Kumbalangi, the island. Shaan Rahman's music was exceptionally great.
I will never term any movie, ' a must watch' but I have to say this: "Kumbalangi nights is that one movie which makes you forget about the money you spent for it"
Review of Kumbalangi Nights
