Idi Mazha Kattu Movie Review
Idi Mazha Kattu: A Social Drama Undone by Its Ambitions
Ambili S Rengan's debut film blends social drama with satire, exploring migrant labor issues and psychological struggles, but suffers from an unfocused narrative and uneven execution.Ambili S Rengan's Idi Mazha Kaattu attempts to tackle the complexities of migration and cultural coexistence through a satirical lens. Co-written with Amal Pirappancode, the film delves into the lives of migrant laborers in Kerala, interweaving their struggles with psychological conflicts. The story follows Sougada (Pooja Deb), a young woman from West Bengal who arrives in Kerala under the guise of working at a psychological counseling center, but her true mission is to recover a lost box.
What begins as a murder mystery soon transforms into a layered social commentary, placing Bengali migrants at the center of the narrative. The film explores themes of unity and displacement through its diverse characters, including Perumal (Chemban Vinod Jose), Ajith (Srinath Bhasi), David (Sudhi Koppa), and Buhari (Saranjith), each hailing from different parts of Kerala. As Sougada embarks on her quest, she becomes entangled in their lives, exposing harsh realities along the way.
While Idi Mazha Kaattu presents a compelling premise, its execution falters. The film's surrealistic tone, meant to highlight the inner turmoil of its characters, often disconnects rather than immerses the audience. The screenplay feels stretched, and the direction lacks the precision needed to sustain engagement. Despite these flaws, the second half is more engaging, offering glimpses of the film's untapped potential.
On the performance front, Chemban Vinod Jose delivers a convincing portrayal of a rustic man, while Sudhi Koppa impresses with his nuanced performance. Srinath Bhasi, though in a limited role, makes an impact, and Senthil Krishna efficiently carries out his duty as a police officer. The standout, however, is Pooja Deb, whose portrayal of a migrant woman's struggles lends emotional weight to the film.
Visually, Idi Mazha Kaattu benefits from Neil D'Cunha's cinematography, which beautifully captures the landscapes of Kerala and West Bengal. The music, composed by Gowry Lekshmi and Ganesh V, adds a melodic touch, with a couple of memorable tracks. However, the film's biggest drawback lies in its inability to effectively communicate its ideas. The excessive use of Bengali, despite subtitles, may alienate some viewers, while the script misses the opportunity to craft a sharper satire with stronger thrills.
Ultimately, Idi Mazha Kaattu is an ambitious attempt at social commentary that falls short due to an unfocused narrative and lack of storytelling clarity. While it touches on relevant issues, its impact remains inconsistent, making it a film that intrigues but never fully captivates.
