Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus... A mass entertainer... Xeon's late write up.
Theater: Puthur Chellam
Status: Good. Balcony full (Huge capacity balcony.)
Daivathinte Swantham Cletus
After an Art film with substance and burning souls, the next awaited mass entertainer from the megastar had hit the theaters with least publicity and neutral prospect. Accorded to some unknown reasons, may be because of the back to back release, the comedy mass entertainer failed to clarify its genre to the people pre-release. Except Mammootty fans and curious industry followers, the others had no Idea of the movie whether it is an art flick or a mass Masala, even a day prior to its roll.
About the Movie:
Something new adopted can be called a ‘style’ and when it becomes viral; it could be named a ‘trend’. For a short past, the Malayalam movie industry is cradling movies, set up in the backdrops of villages with Christian majority. Induction of Christian sagas, philosophies and nouns into the movie screenplay or nurturing stories based on the same is now viral and so a trend. ‘Daivathinte swantham Cleetus’ also does 100% justice to its name turning out to be a movie wrapped up with silver sheets of Biblical chronicles, marinated with spicy Masala’s and garnished with colorful frames.
The Plot.
Father Sunny is a man of kindness and preacher of humanity, indulged in charity. He once way an idea to raise fund to help the disabled poor by setting up a ‘Sound and light show’, which he calls a modified form of drama. For the project to take birth, he needed a thespian to perform as ‘Jesus’. The priest had a few expectations about the man, who will become Jesus. Now he starts the search for our hero. After a long hunt, father finds the suitable man.” A man of serenity and unmatched charisma “, that was the fathers prime perceptional judgment on him, ‘Cleetus’. After a short effort of convincement, Cleetus agree to climb the platform. But time had another story to tell. With in no time Cleetus arrives the Camp, father Sunny with heartbreak recognize Cleetus as rogue or more clearly a born criminal.
What happens next? What all problems arise in the camp? Who is honey rose? Why Cleetus arrived there? What is his history? Do any twist awaited? ……… You may watch the movie on screens to get them answered.
Performance:
The biggest triumph of the movie is our Mammookka. I still remember, in 2005, when Rajamanikyam was about to release, many suspected Ikka’s caliber to deliver comic roles like Lal does. But demolishing every doubt, he excelled with immense perfection and the movie went on to become a gargantuan hit and is still considered as an evergreen bore less entertainer. Here also Ikka does it like a ‘piece of cake’. He handles the role with control and in the age of 62, he does it all with a bang!.. Well crafted witty scenes and action sequences suited him well. The only fault you may find will be with the make-up. Ageing is evident and close up shots clearly absorbed the stretch marks and oldness on his face. Yes I agree, he is not Dulquar Slman and is at his early sixties. But look at him in his recent films and watch him looking so smart. Mammookka, different from his roles of goodness, is a rogue here and he did it well.
Sidhique, Ullas panthalam, Kottayam naseer and all other in the film did well expect Honey rose and Kailash. Honey rose again proved her very limited talents to be inadequate to handle strong characters. She is only good for infamous scenes like that in ‘Trivandram lodge’. She is too sexy but fails to impress. Kailash too proves himself as a bad actor.
Suraj venjarummood with his witty numbers attracted the audience and a great applause to his decent role. Ullas pandalam was recognized by the spectators and is a good sign of his success.
Behind the scenes
Director Marthandan neither fails nor wins. He is safe this time. But have to improve a lot, lot and lot. Camera works, editing and BGM were decent.
Finally
Crafted out of a wafer thin story and poor direction, Cleetus is safe as it got released into a festival mood. I hope the movie will be a hit. The climax was somewhat good and may be called a twisted one, but is not that great to boast of. If the movie becomes a hit, the sole credit goes to Mammootty and it’s a pure one man show. The movie is a mass entertainer and brainless witty stuff. So don’t think like Einstein. Just go with a relaxed mood and enjoy the movie. You will not be disappointed.
Verdict.
2.5/5 …….. Strictly average.
My own Opinion.
One common error persisting with most of the legends is that they tend to stick with conventions. A few out of them have shown the courage to accept and live with the evolving trends. A man with that quality is our Mammookka. Being the true megastar and a talent of optimistic perfection, he had delivered umpteen characters with unparalleled charisma. The hottest example of his mastery can be marked with his second last film ‘Kunjanandante Kada’. After that handsome flick, a mass entertainer was the next he preserved for his lovers. But this time though he performs well as usual, the movie fails to impress. Being framed out of a wafer thin story line of null novelty, the movie ends up strictly average. From the next flick onwards, Ikka should be so selective. Do two films a year and make sure the movies are class or mass. Avoid half boiled stuffs.
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Originally Posted by Mr Pokkiri
