Painkili Movie Review
Painkili: A Quirky Comedy That Embraces Its Eccentricities
Sreejith Babu's directorial debut thrives on oddball characters and exaggerated humor, but despite a lively lead performance by Sajin Gopu, the film struggles to rise above its uneven screenplay.Sheeba Baby (Anaswara Rajan) is no ordinary bride-to-be. With her wedding fast approaching, she attempts a daring escape in broad daylight-slithering down an areca nut tree in her courtyard-only to be swiftly pursued and brought back by her parents. Her nonchalant expression suggests that this is just another routine escapade, fueled by the 'motivation' of her next-door friend. Sheeba's eccentricity is merely a prelude to the overall quirkiness of Painkili, where every character seems to be cut from the same idiosyncratic cloth. Director Sreejith Babu, working with a script by Jithu Madhavan of Avesham fame, deliberately accentuates these odd traits to derive humor, making eccentricity the film's driving force.
At the heart of the story is Suku (Sajin Gopu), a kind-hearted rustic youth whose life takes an unexpected turn during a trip to Coimbatore. Sajin Gopu brings a refreshing energy to the role, which is vital given the screenplay's reliance on over-the-top antics for laughs. While the film is entertaining in parts, Suku's exaggerated eccentricity often feels like a forced attempt at comedy. However, the sequences involving his father Sajith Kumar (Abu Salim) add charm, even as the screenplay struggles with depth. The events following Suku's encounter with Sheeba are undeniably amusing, though their progression lacks a natural flow.
Suku's friends, Pachan (Roshan Shanavas) and Kunjhayan aka Aneesh (Chandu Salimkumar), advise him to woo Sheeba as a way to overcome the uncertainty in his marriage-an uncertainty rooted in his brief stay at a mental rehabilitation center for valid reasons. His abrupt shift in demeanor is conveniently depicted through a song, exposing the screenplay's superficial approach in handling critical moments. The film also introduces a set of curious characters, including a soft-spoken goon, Peter (Riyas Khan), and a social media-addicted lawyer, Thanku (Lijo Jose Pellissery). While their presence is designed to inject humor, their impact is inconsistent, often revealing the director's desperation to keep the fun alive.
The film's title, Painkili, finds meaning when Suku begins posting gaudy love quotes on Facebook in his romantic pursuit of Sheeba. Sajin Gopu delivers a commendable performance, skillfully transitioning from his villainous roles to a comical protagonist with impeccable timing. His energy and versatility breathe life into the film, compensating for its patchy writing. Anaswara Rajan aptly embodies Sheeba's impulsive and immature nature, while Jisma Vimal, in her acting debut, naturally portrays Suma-a nurse with a crush on Suku-adding another layer to the narrative.
While a host of lesser-known actors enhance the film with their effortless performances, the loosely structured screenplay prevents Painkili from leaving a lasting impact. Despite its shortcomings, Sreejith Babu's directorial debut manages to extract humor from its bizarre characters, offering a watchable yet flawed comedy-drama. With its over-the-top storytelling and quirky personalities, Painkili does justice to its title, though it struggles to rise above its own mediocrity.
