Kodiyettam

Sankarankutty (Gopi) is a simpleton who takes great joy in the simple pleasures of life. He loves a home cooked meal, some toddy to wash it down with and then loaf around the temple festivals listening to the panjavadyam played there. But with this nature also comes a shirking of all responsibilities that a grown man is supposed to carry. Abandoning all relationships that seek to tie him down, he wanders the countryside until he starts working as a cleaner in a truck service. Thanks to the bus driver he starts to see things in a different light. Immersing himself in this role, the film also gave its lead his nick name which he was unable to shake to the day he passed on. The second venture from Adoor Gopalakrishnan, unfolds at a idyllic pace. In spite of its commercial success, it is in many ways just a precursor of the wonderful films to come from the maestro.

Rating: * *

Rasathantharam

Mohanlal dons a realistic throwback role for a change in this film. He plays a simple down to Earth carpenter, Prem, who does not throw villians to moon after spouting idiotic dialogues. He leads an idyllic life with his father (Kodiyetam Gopi) which is rudely shaken by a wave of sympathy and pity for a servant girl, Kanmani (Meera Jasmine). Kanmani is practically a slave in a household and her sorry plight moves Prem to help her out. But we all know that most people are punished for their kindness though it is with a dose of cunning humor in this case. The only gripe I have with the film which was moving down a lighthearted path is the rude infusion of melodrama and sentiment.

It is heartening to see that an albeit overweight Mohanlal can still act. Meera Jasmine is very impressive and I hope to see more of her. Kodiyetam Gopi too has done a stunning job in spite of the stroke that has affected his left side. Malayalam cinema needs more films of this nature to take it back to its glory days.

Rating: * * +