Angamaly Diaries Malayalam Movie
The barrage of random shots that appear on screen delineate about Angamaly and its precincts. We get to know all about Angamaly and its unknown interesting trivia (as per the voice over).
Ruckus and scuffle are aplenty in "Angamaly Diaries" and the story of angry youngsters is reminiscent of a couple of recent flicks that dealt with vendetta among gangs. Then where does it score? If you look at any of Lijo's movies, be it "Nayakan", "City of God" or "Amen", his films have a craftsman's identity and signature. Novelty in narration, subjective movements of camera and slice of dark humor are his trademarks. In "Angamaly Diaries" the filmmaker is banking on 86 newcomers, who have justified their selection, and vibrant performances from each of them have made the film an engaging movie, albeit you are in a familiar milieu.
Vincent Pepe (Antony Varghese) and his friends are at odds with their rival gang in the pork meat business, mainly run by Rajan and Ravi. Pepe tries to eke out a living by running a pig farm along with his friends, but some unexpected incidents land him in trouble. He wants to go abroad to live with his lover Lichy. Circumstances in Angamaly push him to commit even murder by mistake. It incurs the ire of the other group.
All the newcomers deserve applause for the realistic portrayal of their characters. The script of actor Chemban Jose Vinod, though not refreshing, is taut and rooted in realism. The scenarist has adopted the obvious choice of a writer while narrating about a local place: to harp on local goons and their misdeeds.
As a filmmaker, Lijo has evolved his own unique style from the word go in his film career. And his efforts hit the bull's eye in "Amen". If "Angamaly Diaries" appears to be refreshing, it's due to his innovative and brilliant handling of the plot using the newcomers including Ullas Jose Chemban, Reshma Raju, Sinoj Varghese, Benny Varghese, Sarath Kumar and Milton Raju et al.
The froth in the substance of "Angamaly Diaries" is vivid throughout the movie. However, Lijo's brilliant narration and stupendous performances of a bunch of newcomers give an impetus to the film that would have otherwise ended as a regular revenge story between two rival groups.
On technical front, Gireesh Gangadharan's camera works wonders in the climax scene which has been presented in a single shot. Prashant Pillai's music lends the required mood to the film. Scope for a family drama is sparse in this typical Lijo movie, but signature of a seasoned filmmaker is stapled in it.
OTHER REVIEWS
Kiran Allan