AAMAYUM MUYALUM MOVIE REVIEW

A simple plot, a whole lot of interesting characters, abundance of slapstick and situational comedy, neat visuals, a laugh riot of a climax sequence that involves almost all the characters in the film. Priyadarshan has not stepped away from his heterogeneous formula that has been working for him since the ‘Priyan – Lal’ days.

But, has Aamayum Muyalam managed to live up to the expectations set by a Priyadarshan fanatic? Well, the movie starts off with the relishable voice of Lalettan, introducing us to a conceptual village and its idiosyncratic characters.

The entire movie is set in this poverty struck village, which has people with interesting names such as Bandaravathi, Thamara, Kallu, Nallavan and Gundappa, to name a few. Priyadarshan’s eye for detail and visualizing efficacy has resulted in some striking cinematography by Divakar Mani and graceful art direction by Saalu George.

Jayasoorya, Pia Bajpai, Nedumudi Venu, Sukanya, Sona, Kochu Preman, Innocent, Harishree Ashokan, Anoop Menon, Maamukoya, KPAC Lalitha, Nandu and many others form the long star cast list in the film’s anthropological troop.

The director has focused on minute things such as a random man eating ‘murukku’ in the back drop and women pouring water into pots in a palpable corner of the frame, so as to establish the vividness of the entire setting.

Pia Bajpai looks extremely charming in native clothing and emotes with ease although it is just her second outing in Malayalam. Those shivering lips when she cries and her sharp glances in the romance portions might push us to overlook a few lip-sync issues here and there.

Bhavna Pani makes an on screen appearance for Priyadarshan again, but in an item number this time around, and the actress scores well although the story or the situation does not really require such a dance performance. Although the movie screams of resplendence in the decoration of the milieu, the movie falls short of moments and hangs low in comedy. It is evident that some basic logic, like the dead body remaining fresh for days, has been deliberately allowed to fall between the cracks to churn out laughter. However, the attempt either appears to be overdone or just did not work at all, despite having experienced actors, who have actually played their parts neatly. M.G Sreekumar’s music plays an important role in holding the scenes together and the songs do not make people impatient.

Produced by Jaison Pulikkoottil under the banner Full House Entertainment, Aamayum Muyalum is a passable onetime watch.