I wanted to see this movie since I heard that this is one of the greatest works by Padmarajan, I knew this from 2008 when I started researching the best movies in Malayalam.
Story Line:
For a sake of fitting to a genre, I can say it is a family drama, Romantic Drama. This story is about
- a high born Solomon who takes care of his vineyard and is away from his home most of the times as he loves be a caretaker of his vineyard and falls in love with Sofia when he stops by home one fine day,
- Sofia who is hardworking and trying to flee from her stepfather's custody and goes thru agony and harship and yet strong looking forward to a fulfilling life
- Antony Joseph(Solomon's cousin) staying with Solomon's mother who is coming of age and gets to spend some time when Solomon stops by home,
- Paul Pailokkaran who is a stepfather of sofia, a strict father and considers him superior and often proves them by commanding his wife and daughter
From first scene till last scene, What astonishes me is that I never felt that director just written a story and actors are acting in a scene that is scripted. Each scene seems to be happening just like life happens to us and everyone is reacting to situation that just happens.
For example: First shot just happens as we see a lorry passing by a home at a night time and a boy sensing that and slowly comes out to see that it is Solomon and they have a dinner at that odd time as Solomon's mom prepares it. Then we get to know who is Solomon and why he stops by home after a long time. They have a conversation about each other and next day he gets to see Sofia in neighborhood who always spends her time productively doing domestic activities.
Mohanlal as Solomon: These days I feel that "he lived the character" is overused. Still I want to use, Since movie is a pure directors show and movie has conversation right from first till last scene. All actor has to do is to react and no overdo. Mohanlal just gels in as Solomon as if we feel entire movie is happening in our neighborhood. Mohanlal is awesome in his realistic acting. His performance is so good that you never know that he is performing, Character design is amazing. some of the interesting traits like solomon's justification on why he prefers to be in vineyards looking after them personally, why he does not want to marry some girl who might not like his agricultural as aspects of business, his amiability, matured way of handling relationships and slowly sharing a bond with Antony whom he gracefully treats during his holiday time.
Shari as Sofia: I just noticed she was frequently casted in padmarajan's movies. This movie shows it all. She is beautiful, elegant. Just like sumalatha in Thoovaanathumbigal, Sharis face has a sensual aspect of it that makes her sexy. Importantly she is good in her subtle expressions. One great example is when she curiously asks Solomon about vineyards, blushes when she learns that solomon has just proposed her looking at the bible book and the scene where she blushes again when asked about her response.
Vineeth as Antony Joseph is the LIVE wire of the entire movie. A real supporting role. In fact we get to see antony filling in even in the last scenes before climax, Padmarajan strikes great balance in scripting the scenes between the characters, it is the crucial situation where we see antony coming to solomon's vineyard and spending a holiday in contrast to the undercurrent tension prevailing in sofia's home, As I said earlier this is how life happens to everyone, Had it been the regular movie, we could have seen more scenes involving solomon and sofia or just distraction for the sake of it, but Padmarajan did not do it, that is why he is as master.
Thilagan as Paul is one more evolving character to watch out for. His pride and prejudice drives forward the story to its end which then turns out as anger when his ego is hurt, Thilagan as usual is awesome in bringing such a character with menace.
This movie has just one song and it is good to hear. It is the Background music that stands out. Johnson's best original score after Thoovaanathumbikal
Here are some great scenes to watch out for.
Solomon proposing to sofia and taking her out
Solomon enquiring about neighbourhood with Antony
Antony spending his holiday time in vineyards with Solomon
Padmarajan is a gem and master in story and screenplay writing, He proves again he is an excellent filmmaker.
This movie deserves to be in libraries for case studies in film institutes for conceiving characters, its establishment and great attention to details and how a directors script gives a feel that he lets story and screenplay to happen and not orchestrated,
