Producer– Shebin Backer, Zulfikkar Azeez
Director- Lal Jose
Cast– Kunchacko Boban, Namitha Pramod, Irshad, Shiju, Joju, Shammi Thilakan, Suraaj Venjaramoodu, Harisri Ashokan, Bindu Panicker, Anusree etc.
Music– Vidyasagar
Cinematography :S. Kumar
Review By : Unni R Nair (Kerala9.com )
Lal Jose has given us many good films- all kinds of films. But this time, with ‘Pullipulikalum Attinkuttiyum’, he fails to deliver and the film ends up being just an average entertainer. There is nothing in it that would make you tag it a Lal Jose film.
‘Pullipulikalum Attinkuttiyum’ takes us to Kuttanad. Chakkattuthara Gopan (Kunchacho Boban) is a tourist guide kind of guy; he owns a houseboat and manages to find clients somehow to eke out a living. He has to support a somewhat ‘big’ family- his mother (KPAC Lalitha) and three brothers. His brothers Mani (Irshad), Vijayan (Shiju) and Suku (Joju) just while away their time, doing almost nothing. All that they do is eat, double up as goons and thrash people for money (their victims often hunt down Gopan and thrash him up, in return) and just wander around aimlessly. They never think of doing any work; Gopan is there to work for them…
Gopan meanwhile finds a dancer, Jayasree (Namitha Pramod), to dance in his houseboat and entertain guests. Jayasree is the daughter of Revamma (Bindu Panicker), a stage artist who could never earn a name or money as an artist and who dreams of sending her daughter to Dubai and earning a fortune. Eventually Gopan and Jayasree fall in love, something that Revamma doesn’t like. In the meantime Kuriachan (Shammi Thilakan), the local leader who too owns a houseboat and aspires to build up a career in politics gets arrested for immoral trafficking. Incidentally it’s Gopan whose casual statement leads the cops to Kuriachan and thus Kuriachan becomes his sworn enemy. Once free, Kuriachan swears to ruin Gopan and his business…
Well, that’s all. An average kind of story, presented against the backdrop of the backwaters. It just goes on, along predictable lines and ends in a very predictable manner. There is humour, songs, some fight and drama- all in light vein and it just goes on. Till half-time, you feel it’s rather entertaining. But post-interval, it just drags on and you get tired. By the time it ends, you’re glad it has finally ended and you come out, neither too happy nor too discontented. And if someone waiting for the next show asks you your opinion, you’re most likely to find yourselves at a loss, not knowing what to say. You would be confused, I bet!
Yes, to a great extent ‘Pullipulikalum Attinkuttiyum’ is a let-down, but yes, it has its share of lighter moments, thereby making it a film that you’d want to watch along with your family. Kids may find it entertaining. So, at the box office, it may end up being a decent hit…Who knows!!
Performance
Kunchacko Boban fits into his role, that of Gopan, perfectly well. He lives up to expectations and delivers it quite satisfactorily. In fact I have nothing negative to say as regards the performance aspect in the film. Everyone has done justice to his or her role. Namitha Pramod is good and the on-screen chemistry between her and Chackochan works out well. Irshad, Shiju and Joju are good, but if the writer and director had paid better attention to the characterisation part, these actors could have better scope for performance. Bindu Panicker, Shammi Thilakan, Harisri Ashokan, KPAC Lalitha, Anusree etc do justice to their roles. Suraaj Venjaramoodu is his very usual self and seems to be repeating himself, though he plays his part very convincingly.
Technical aspects
Ace cinematographer S Kumar does a splendid job; he gives us some excellent shots of Kuttanad and makes it a treat to watch.
Music
Vidyasagar has delivered some good tunes, which jell perfectly well with the mood of the film. The songs are all soothing to the ear, but I am not sure how long these songs would remain in your minds and memories.
Script
Well, it’s the script by M.Sindhuraj that does all the damage. The whole film is based on a script that has nothing much to say. It’s just a so so kind of story and there’s nothing new to it. The characterization part is also just so so and that’s what affects the totality of the film.
Direction
Lal Jose, the veteran of so many memorable movies, representing all genres, is of course in full control. But with a script that has nothing much to offer and which is just average stuff, there’s a limit to what he could deliver.
Verdict– Just so so…weak script; watch it just for Chackochan and others…
Rating: 2/5