Top 10 Malayalam Movies 2021
So this last year, we've had lots of awesomeness come out from the Malayalam movie industry that keeps trying to reinvent and push the envelope of creativity. What has been consistent is the originality of the concepts, most of them being little day to day life issues, rooted and grounded in the milieu of a microculture, set in the backdrop of a small village/ town.
I have my personal favorites from among these, and these are strictly just my views on why I found them to be extraordinarily great, from that list of greatness. A couple of great movies that I haven't watched yet are The Great Indian Kitchen, Vellam and Madhuram. Hopefully I will get around to watch the same early this year.
Minnal Murali
( Directed Basil Joseph, Starring Tovino Thomas and Guru Somasundaram)
What can I say about this movie, that I haven't before! You need this movie in your life. like NEED it right NOW. If # are your thing then here are a few that should inspire :
#Indiansuperherooriginsmovie. #Original. #TheBestVillainEver. #SuperheroinLungi
Seriously, you need more motivation? Watch this interview with Guru Somasundaram on playing the antagonist and possible sequels. ( but after you watch it on Netflix, okay?)
Joji
( Directed by Dileesh Pothan, starring Fahadh Faaasil)
Despite a great year of multiple releases on OTT, including the grand Magnum opus Malik, the experimental C U Soon shot during the heights of COVID, and the dense Irul that boasts of some surreal performances by FaFa, Soubin and Dhanya Rajendran, i still felt this Shakespearen adaptation of Macbeth was my personal favourite of the phenomenal Fahadh Faasil. Set in a plantation farm down in South Kerala, the story traces the tense morbid family drama of Joji, a jobless young man in a bid to inherit his family riches, struck a deep chord with me. Joji's dark greed and morbid fascination with death ( FaFa's absolutely dazzling 'haunted by the shadows of death' portrayal of Joji) elevates this simple tale of greed and murder to beyond greatness. Unni Maya's nuanced performance of Joji's sister-in-law, the bone-chilling lady Macbeth of this version, was also and stood out amongst an array of brilliant performances.
#Home
( Directed by Rojin Thomas, starring Indrans, Sreenath Basi)
A simple joyful tale of our older generation trying to keep up with the technology upgrades in our lives and society. Indrans, who has had a revival of sorts, in his career playing some fabulous character roles, is an absolute treat to watch in this movie, as he struggles to connect to his upwardly-mobile elder son ( Sreenath Basi, another gem of an actor) a one-time hit movie writer/ director looking for his next big inspiration.
Kanakkam Kaamini Kalaham
In an industry replete with dark stirring tales and dense ideas, this movie was a welcome breath of fresh air. A laugh riot with some delectable performances by so many side-actors, including Idukki Jaffer, Rajesh Madhav ( discovered him in this movie, he's just FAB!) Grace Antony, Vinay Fort and of course, Nivin Pauly striking gold again in a comic lead role.
(Directed by Rohith VS, starring Tovino Thomas, Sumesh Moor, Lal)
This was dark stuff. Like totally unapologetically dark, getting deep into the psyche of toxic masculinity, questioning a lot of our 'set' beliefs about a lot of things in life. The stylishly violent ballet that plays out between two animals ( the two protagonists) lost in their absolute bestiality that has taken over everything else, even as their impending doom is sounded out in the shrill cries of nature all around them. And as this plays out on the screen, we as viewers realize this - That morality or that thing we call humanity, is but just a smudged grey footnote amidst all this. ( Remember Jallikattu!) Love it or hate it, this movie is surely going to leave an impact on you.
Kuruthi
( Directed by Manu Warrier, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshann Mathews)
A tense thriller set against the backdrop of politics, faith and religion, this is a crackling example of a taut screenplay that brings together human emotions and beliefs, complete with our failings and inherent flaws and makes a not-so subtle point about it, through the POV of multiple characters, each mired in their own definitions of right and wrong. Prithviraj gleefully wades into this anti-hero role and the other highlight is the transition of beloved Mamu-Koya's character into a certified badass by the second half.
Dhrishyam 2
( Directed by Jeethu Joseph, Starring Mohan Lal)
Can a sequel live up to the hype and hoopla of a very successful original crime thriller? In case of Dhrishyam, yes it does! The sequel stands up to the scrutiny. It's another twisted maze of a mystery with multiple levels unraveling towards the end and the protagonist, played oh so well by the Maestro Mohan Lal, being the central architect of yet another puzzle box.
Nayattu
(Directed by Martin Prakkat, starring Kunchako Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan)
Definitely one of the best cop movies made this year, even this decade. This is a bleak, realistic portrayal of the travails and helplessness of the average malayali cop, caught between politicians and the bureacrat's ego and the stifling confines of an apathetic system that just needs a victim to pin the crimes on. Fabulous performances by the trio of Joju George, Kunchako and Nimisha. Written by Shahi Kabir, this is an unflinching portrayal of the socio-political ecosystem that we live in.
KaaneKaane
( Directed by Manu Ashokan, starring Suraj Venjarmoodu, Tovino Thomas, Aishwarya Lekshmi)
This one starts off as a regular family drama, but as one watches, we get the feeling that something is off. It's a slow burn but in the best possible way. Siraj Venjarmooda excels in his character. The sinister atmosphere that builds up and the did-he or did-he-not question starts to burn into your psyche as the narrative tension mounts. Excellent little psyche drama.
Bheemante Vazhi
( Directed by Ashraf Hamza, starring Kunchako Boban)
Trust the Mallus to make movies out of the most innocuous but original slice of life concepts. This one's a drama around widening the approach road into a small community of residents beside a railway track and the ups and downs of thier regular little life. How can even that be the subject of a movie? If you are thinking so, then jump onboard. This one's a delightful little comic romp into the lives of Bheeman and his friends as they struggle to create this road into their community.
What movies did you enjoy? #2021MalayalamMovies
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