Originally Posted by
critic
Top 5 Malayalam Movies of 2013
--------------------------------------
Its just about that time of the year when we sit back and check out the Top 5 picks from Malayalam and here is an attempt with choices for this year. 2013 has seen a record number of releases (158 or more) and probably higher amount of profitable movies as well. By the end of 2013 though, things seem to be cooling off a little bit since the satellite rights are drying up. This may impact the relatively mid, smaller, non-star movie segment and may bring down the number of releases in 2014.
As for the trends in 2013, the box-office seems to be aligning up quite like Bollywood - where the grand masala movies and small movies with fresh themes co-exist. In Malayalam instead we have the slapstick, low brow humor which forms the big block busters but fresh themes also catapult in to big success. That is perhaps the silver lining of 2013 - that small movies with fresh themes and presentation can turn on with big audience acceptance - even more so evidant than the last 2 years. Now, lets check out the Top 5 movies based on the writer's personal choice alone.
5. Mumbai Police - A movie which almost took weeks on to digest because of the climax, but as time passed on seems to have grown as a heavily worked movie in its genre. With a stellar performance from Prithviraj as Antony Mosses, Jayasurya as Aryan and Rehman, the writers Bobby-Sanjay did come up with a script which took itself very seriously. It was a good indulgence for the audience who love this genre. Roshan Andrews made a clinical presentation of the script. In hindsight, Mumbai Poilce was more than just shock value climax. It would be talked about for the guts which the lead actor took to portray a gay cop on malayalam screen for the first time. Need more of such thrillers which almost take the genre so seriously.
4. ABCD - May look a surprise choice for many but it finds a spot for some good family entertainment overall. A 'made to look convenient' plot turned in to fun with some attractive presentation by Martin Prakkat. Dulquer Salman as Johns and Gregory as Korah rocked the show. The humor was extracted out of situations when 2 rich guys from US seem to be misfit in their modest surroundings in Kerala. Their compulsive lesson for modest living was a stretch but we were made to believe in a funny way which saved the day. The toilet humor was avoidable though.The movie also turned in to a political and social satire in parts. Music by Gopi Sundar busted the charts especially the Johny Mone song. Aparna made a notable debut as heroine. ABCD is decent fun even on repeat watch in DVD.
3. Amen - The most 'innovative' presentation of the year finds its place at third spot. It was a cliche story which you would have heard many times before. An under achiever who has a great legacy. One who is scared to claim his place and love. His life takes a turn by the end when he reclaims his true legacy and his love. Discovers the divine power behind the turnaround. Such a story which seems to have been told many a times was set in a relatively new backdrop (a band set competition). The most crucial was the fantasy mixed presentation in screenplay and cinematography to match that. Lijo Jose Pellissery made a huge impact for all the imaginative work. Prasanth Pillai's unconventional tunes fitted the movie well. Indrajith stole the show among the stars while Fahad, Swathy and Joy Mathew did competant performances. 'Amen' was a path breaker in terms of presentation. It almost broke the 'divide' of the so called 'different' movies being accepted only in limited centres. 'Amen' charted its own way to glory and how.
2. Memories - Perhaps this spot for this movie is once again a thrust on personal choice because 'Memories' still remains the most brooding movie of the year. The sheer image of a defeated, drunken, morose police officer who wants to get drunk his way to death after a personal tragedy, cant be shrugged off ones mind,even months after its release. The task was tough. A hero who is sad to the point of making you averse and disinterested. Almost looks a failure to investigate a case and find the killer. Around him we did not have a heroine, happy family or smiling faces. Sparking interest in such circumstances was a tough job. Add to that the comparison with a much famous thriller with a similar theme, released in 2012. Director Jeethu Joseph not only got us interested but put us on a jet speed second half making us feel the beauty of story telling and play with the speed of narration. Prithviraj as Sam Alex put up a superb performance and left a haunting image. The movie also can boast of the best background score by Anil Johnson. Camera by Sujith was great. 'Memories' was made with much taste and draws you to it creating a mood of its own.
1. Drishyam - And we had to wait almost 51 weeks of the year to get the best movie of the year - 'Drishyam'. Undoubtedly the best script of the year was executed in a deserving manner by Director Jeethu Joseph making it the best movie going experience of 2013. Mohanlal put up a sensitive performance as Georgekutty which he made to look very simple with his acting prowess. Meena as Rani and the kids in the family filled in their parts well. Shajon, Asha Sarath and Siddique also left a mark. But the movie belonged to one man - Jeethu Joseph who wrote his name all over 2013 with his 2 films. 'Drishyam' told the story which was untold in a land were thrillers and murder mysteries get made every year in a sizable number. With a perfect combination of family backdrop and a thrilling story telling method, Jeethu has left the audiences spell bound with an edge of the seat second half. 2013 signs off on a high and here is looking forward to more movies from this awesome film maker.
Lets Welcome 2014 with hope for better Malayalam Movies at the Cinema Halls.
Movies that also came up also in the last reckoning - Neram, Honey Bee, Shutter, Celluloid, Romans, Immanuel, Left Right Left, North 24 Kaadham, Philips and the Monkeypen. Punyalan Agarbathis not included for the sake of fareness and involvement.
ningade review kandit padathin kerano ena confusion arunu 
