Joseph Malayalam Movie
Here the engulfing emotional starvation creates a growing sense of aloofness in the mind of the protagonist. Retired police officer Joseph appears as a drunkard but he is still a much sought-after fellow by his superiors for his brilliance in inquiring complex cases. To establish the potential of Joseph, director M. Padmakumar presents a murder case at the outset and in a jiffy, you realise that the mystery is solved. This disbelief lingers on even while the past of Joseph is unfolded gradually.
Written by Shahi Kabir, the director expends the best of his narrative skills in the presentation of the character Joseph. Asking for more would be unfair from Joju George in his depiction of the protagonist. Joseph is bearing the emotional scar left behind by the wounds occurred after his relationship with Lisamma (Madhuri Braganza). Joju is simply outstanding and he could create the impression in the minds of viewers that there are hardly any other options to transcend such a character to make it realistic.
Well, this directorial smartness and acting brilliance go smoothly hand-in-hand until the latter half. Then the unexpected events in the personal life of Joseph divert the film to the path of a thriller; an emotional thriller to be precise. But the thriller route is less convincing, though the film heralds its stand for a social cause.
Joseph's life turns upside down post his visit to a murder site. Before fully realising himself that life is slipping out of his hands, Joseph's wife Stella (Athmiya) seeks a divorce from him. Then Joseph looks after his daughter Dayana Joseph (Malavika Menon). He is still an affectionate husband as he sends his daughter to Stella quite often albeit Stella marries Peter (Dileesh Pothen). The premature death of Dayana shatters Joseph and again, destiny shows its cruel side when Stella dies in an accident.
When Joseph smells doubts regarding the death of Stella, he along with his friends Siddique (Irshad), Raghavan (James Elia) and Sudhi (Sudhi Koppa) starts their own investigation into the accident. The following sequences get unwanted haste and lack of clarity. Such factors contribute to sully the powerful impact of the movie.
Meant for a social cause, 'Joseph' sounds well in the convincing presentation of the eponymous protagonist's personal life. Unfortunately, such an intensity and impression is absent in the execution of the plot. Director M. Padmakumar is making a statement that is not loud and clear enough to converse with the viewers.
Female characters have brief appearances in the proceedings; even in the references about Joseph's life. Athmiya and Malavika have nothing much to perform while Madhuri makes the most of her brief scenes. Music composer Renjin Raj and cinematographer Maneesh Madhavan could create notable impact.