Thoppil Joppen Malayalam Movie
Filmmakers often go the extra mile to give an impression that they don't adhere to formulaic gimmicks.Whether it is apparent or not every filmmaker worth his salt take pride in being inventive or novel.On that count it is somewhat bizarre to see a film being highlighted for its perceived similarity to its lead actor's famous yesteryear films. Well,Thoppil Joppan arrived with the tag of being an unabashed Achayan movie with vintage Mammootty in no holds barred action.Perceptions do matter and most viewers will have an expectation quotient. But Thoppil Joppan unwittingly lowers the bar of the sensibility of those viewers who pat themselves on the back for having a clean slate as far as expectations are concerned.
To call a movie run of the mill may be a tad cliched. But then Mammootty for one has not tried to move off the beaten track as far as selecting characters matching his stature is concerned.Thoppil Joppan tries to play it safe from the word go.It places Mammootty on a zone that seems safe.Like the gay abandon of a builder who is too confident of the foundation,Johny Antony appears callous towards giving the extra touches which would have stood out in the end product.
Thoppil Joppan (Mammootty) our protagonist had a bitter experience as a youth, when he got separated from his sweetheart Annie (Andreah Jeremiah). Money was the biggest obstacle that stood between him and the lover. Joppan expectedly goes in pursuit of riches and there isn't any surprise in seeing him becoming rich.To his shock he discovers that his enviable financial status doesn't guarantee him the much coveted hand of his lover. He is devastated to see her being engaged to another man. Joppan is not someone who cries too much over spilt milk. He strives to move on and is in search for another girl to fill the void left behind by his original sweetheart.But it is easier said than achieved and frustration gets to him.The silly antics of Joppan and his gang of naive friends including drinking binges and playing of kabaddi are just attempts to alleviate the misery.
The kabaddi sequences are manufactured to add spice to the proceedings.The macho image of the hero is sought to be projected as we see Joppan attempting to teach a lesson to a Police Officer.Joppan's vagrant ways take a turn when he meets Maria (Mamta Mohandas), a doctor with her own eccentricities.Things become frivolous as the setting shifts to a de-addiction centre.Humour sticks out and with a script that is shallow Thoppil Joppan never rises above the ordinary.Mammootty is the sole saving grace and with his ever charming demeanour and dynamic body language he infuses a lot of life into the rather laggard proceedings.
Mamta and Andrea are forced to play second fiddle in lazily etched roles.All other actors including Alancier Ley are mere props.And Thoppil Joppan has little eye popping aspects as far as making is concerned.Those associated with the movie was not pursuing excellence and it is pretty conspicuous.To call a film a half hearted attempt might seem going overboard.But Johny Antony's Thoppil Joppan seems to be too plain to be called a serious effort in filmmaking.