Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu Malayalam Movie
A couple of football matches and the altercation among fans aptly complement the title of 'Argentina Fans Kattoorkadavu', helmed by Midhun Manuel Thomas. While the fans are girding up their loins to show loyalty to their favourite teams, the major content of the movie is trapped in the offside, evoking a cold appreciation. The dramatic confluence of the celebration of football and the conflict of the protagonist has the essence of an insipid draw even after the 'extra-time' turn of events.
The dedication goes to the Columbian footballer, Andres Escobar, who was shot dead in a bar after his self-goal fiasco against USA in 1994 World Cup. Escobar dominates the fantasy world of Vipinan, essayed by Kalidas Jayaram, and thereby helps the purpose of unfolding the incidents in the life of the protagonist.
At Kattoorkadavu, Vipinan and his friends are hardcore fans of Argentina while another group of youngsters are Brazilian fans. The football premise in 'Argentina Fans Kattoorkadavu' is a glossy wrapper in the plot sans any real essence of the sport. World Cup matches of both teams appear before you occasionally and as usual, both the fans try to excel in ridiculing the other group in defeats.
Vipinan's unreciprocated love affair with his friend Mehar conveys sensitive feelings than the celebrations of the fans. Aishwarya Lekshmi outshines all with her zealous presence and thankfully, her character enjoys extreme freedom by shying away from stereotypic heroine mode.
Vipinan is a typical timid youngster, who fails to express his love for Mehar, a frequent visitor to Vipinan's house. Both the family members carry a strong bond of relationship and the film successfully portrays the harmony between the two families. Predictably, religion stands as a hindrance for fulfilling Vipinan's love. Meanwhile, Mehar understands his love towards her sans any proposal scenes but she discourages him. Hailing from a family of progressive minds, Mehar is also an avid football fan. She switches her loyalty from Brazil to Argentina at one stage.
Kalidas appears as a tad fragile in elevating the character that undergoes various layers of emotions at different stages of his life. The story, written by Ashokan Cheruvil, qualifies for a passionate treatment but the screenplay penned by Midhun Manuel Thomas and John Manthrickal stumbles from a promising premise to the terrains of a routine affair.
'Argentina Fans Kattoorkadavu' is a soulless depiction of fanfare in a village mixed with a seemingly revolutionary love tale. After kicking off with a potential thread, several fouls in the form of predictability cause to miss the target. Apart from providing an apt BGM, Gopi Sunder offers a couple of soothing songs.
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