Karinkunnam 6's Malayalam Movie
It requires some very special verve on the part of a film that has a sport event as its major theme to steer clear of the formulaic track that usually lies ahead of it. Deepu Karunakaran's 'Karinkunnam Sixes' throws a festival surprise straight at us and delivers a stunning smash, that has the game crowds cheering for more!
Vandana (Manju Warrier) takes upon herself the task of training a batch of volley ball players for her husband Aby's (Anoop Menon) team Karinkunnam Sixes, when an unexpected turn of events lands him on the hospital bed. This is no ordinary challenge for the young woman since the players that she has decided to select for her team are the inmates of the Central jail, who are not exactly reputed for the best of their behaviors!
Any sports movie has a tale of triumph to tell and it goes without saying that the pathway to this victory is what will make a difference. Deepu Karunakaran does have some very familiar material in his hands, and yet crafts a compact film that could very well boast of a few impeccable performances.
'Karinkunnam Sixes' is tautly written as well, and is a warm revelation in sports cinema, never letting lose its rigid grasp on the audience. It's not very common that a film as this could be affecting, and if 'Karinkunnam Sixes' strikes us as an emotionally moving sports drama, it is thanks to the unexpected insight that the film displays throughout.
The simple through line that the film has is deceptive, and it is this modesty that works in the film's favor. It also takes special care not to stick to the much overplayed narrative style and reconstructs its recognizable premise on a new ground. It's often ruggedly constructed and is unpretentious, making it a commendable achievement.
The land lubber moments are definitely there, but are quite ignorable in the larger scale of things. There are also a few scenes (that involve Aby) that sound a bit too dramatic, and yet overriding all these is the remarkable story of a survival and victory against all odds.
'Karinkunnam Sixes' does offer the center stage to Manju Warrier, who very modestly shares it with the rest of the cast, rendering her performance a believability that is especially appealing. She chooses to play the game by the rules and her very agile, lithe self and reassuring demeanor add up to ensure that the role of the volleyball coach on a distinctive mission is safe in the actor's lean hands.
The supporting cast is equally arresting be it the fit-as-ever Babu Antony or the sloppily casual Baiju, the refreshingly innovative Sudheer Karamana, the silver eyed coy boy Padamaraj Ratheesh or the dashingly good-looking Sudev Nair. Suraj Venjarammoodu, Sreejith Ravi, Gregory, Shyamaprasad, Lena, Nandu and Anoop Menon offer sturdy support as well.
'Karinkunnam Sixes' is a film that leaves a lot of exhilaration in its wake. Brimming with bouts of positivism, it's not just a tale of a personal triumph, but rather a tale that celebrates the doughty human spirit.