Ekaandam Malayalam Movie
Ekaantham meaning "Solitude" is a sensitive portrayal of the loneliness felt in old age, aggravated by the feeling of not being wanted even by one's own children. The makers have roped in the services of two of the most brilliant actors of Malayalam cinema - Thilakan and Murali - to do the pivotal roles. The film also discusses human relationships in today's scenario, while speaking about love on a parallel track. Ekaantham is rather offbeat and slow-paced and hence would most likely not reach the masses.
The film begins with the aged Achutha Menon performing the last rites for his deceased wife Saraswathy. He had been a high government official, and had put in years of service in Delhi and even abroad. While scaling the professional ladder however, he had never cared to look back to his roots. After his wife's demise, Achutha Menon lives alone for a while, since the couple had had no children.
Tiring of his lonely life, he decides to go to his younger brother Ravunni, who lives in their native village. Achutha Menon travels all the way back home and back into his distant past. The brothers come together after a gap of many years. Ravunni too is a widower, but has a son Viswanathan and a daughter Chandrika, both of whom are settled in the city with their respective families. But both frequently visit Ravunni, since he is suffering from a severe ailment. In essence though, Ravunni too is all alone, but remains attached to his roots.
When the brothers come together, they cherish the memories of old times and are happy being together. In the meantime, Ravunni's health deteriorates and his son and daughter want him to shift to the city where better care can be given. At this juncture, Achutha Menon's friend Captain R.K. Nair suggests taking Ravunni to a place that provides holistic treatment, and Ravunni is shifter to 'Kaarunyam Pain and Palliative Care Centre'.
At the center we come across some other characters like Dr. Sunny, who is in charge of the centre, Dr. Sophie, who is working there and is deeply in love with Dr. Sunny, Velayudhan, who is a patient there and who goes on asking people to spare just ten minutes to talk with him etc. Achutha Menon too stays there with Ravunni, and their stay there happens to be a revelation especially to Achutha Menon, who sees a very different world of human relationships.
Thilakan plays Achutha Menon with his characteristic ease, while Murali gives able support as Ravunni. Salim Kumar as Velayudhan, who appears only in the second half, leaves a lasting impression on our minds. Manoj K. Jayan as Dr. Sunny and Meera Vasudev as Dr. Sophie are good, though not exceptionally so. Their characters have been worked out well and they could have performed better. Madhupal as Viswanathan, Bindu Panicker as Chandrika and T.S. Raju as Captain R.K. Nair don't have much to do.
M.J. Radhakrishnan's cinematography could be called one of the highlights of the film. Of the songs, "Kaiyeththum doore oru kuttikaalam…" rendered by Yesudas is superb, soulful and nostalgic. The script, penned by Alankode Leelakrishnan could have been a bit more polished and the director could have made the movement a bit faster. Over all however, the film is well-crafted, and the team behind Ekaantham deserves to be appreciated for having come up with a good movie.
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