Dear Fazil,
you did a reasonably good job directing Manichithrathazhu. I am not saying you are William Friedkin or Stanley Kubirck. But you knew your limitations. I guess you understood that Madhu Muttom's script was solid and that the cast you had at hand was stellar. You let them do their jobs. I read that Priyadarshan, Sibi Malayil and Siddique Lal helped you out. The film is a great mix of the comedy and horror genres. The star cast of Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and Shobana was one of the best in the early 90s (second only to Dhruvam). Innocent, KPAC Lalita, Kuthiravattom Pappu, Nedumudi Venu, Thilakan, Ganesh Kumar, Sudheesh, Rudra and Vinaya Prasada are at the very peak of their powers. Innocent carried the first half on his shoulders with his comedic scenes which might have been improvised. Ganesh Kumar also had some really funny scenes.
I liked the way you shot and edited Shobana's entry into Nagavalli's room. The camera is following behind her and there are hardly any shots of her face. Hence the audience is kept in the dark about her experience. There were so many interesting elements in the film. Like the clash between the modern couple (Suresh Gopi and Shobana) and their superstitious relatives. But when the going gets tough, the relatives gets right behind the couple to defeat the "evil spirit". Then there was the schism between religion and science and how the two can co-exist. I am surprised Madhu Muttam did not write more movies.
Best Regards, Pimpin.
(7/10)
you did a reasonably good job directing Manichithrathazhu. I am not saying you are William Friedkin or Stanley Kubirck. But you knew your limitations. I guess you understood that Madhu Muttom's script was solid and that the cast you had at hand was stellar. You let them do their jobs. I read that Priyadarshan, Sibi Malayil and Siddique Lal helped you out. The film is a great mix of the comedy and horror genres. The star cast of Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and Shobana was one of the best in the early 90s (second only to Dhruvam). Innocent, KPAC Lalita, Kuthiravattom Pappu, Nedumudi Venu, Thilakan, Ganesh Kumar, Sudheesh, Rudra and Vinaya Prasada are at the very peak of their powers. Innocent carried the first half on his shoulders with his comedic scenes which might have been improvised. Ganesh Kumar also had some really funny scenes.
I liked the way you shot and edited Shobana's entry into Nagavalli's room. The camera is following behind her and there are hardly any shots of her face. Hence the audience is kept in the dark about her experience. There were so many interesting elements in the film. Like the clash between the modern couple (Suresh Gopi and Shobana) and their superstitious relatives. But when the going gets tough, the relatives gets right behind the couple to defeat the "evil spirit". Then there was the schism between religion and science and how the two can co-exist. I am surprised Madhu Muttam did not write more movies.
Best Regards, Pimpin.
(7/10)