I feel exhausted; all my morning energy was drained in the two hours and 37 minutes in the theatre watching Malaikottai Valibaan. While walking out of the theatre after a show that ended at 10 am, I was mumbling to myself: “What happened to him. What just happened to Lijo Jose Pellissery!”
There is no doubt that Pellissery is one of the most technically sound and daring filmmakers in Indian cinema. In his Mohanlal-starrer Malaikottai Valibaan also one would find ample visual gimmicks and mind-blowing frames. But at the end of the day, all those will not save a film if you have a pathetic script, soulless characters and excruciatingly boring narrative.
It is said that a cinema is born on the editing table. In the editing table of Valibaan, Pellissery decided to create a film that is purposefully made slow with criminally excessive use of slow-mos. Slow-motion shots are generally used to emphasize specific moments or actions, allowing the audience to appreciate details that might be overlooked in real time. If properly used, a slow-motion shot can intensify emotions, create a sense of drama, and heighten the impact of a scene. Pellissery himself has exemplified how to effectively use slow-motion in many of his previous films. But in Valibaan one would feel everything and everybody is in slow motion. And, the result was that even some of the beautifully choreographed stunt scenes in the film failed to make any impact on the audience.
Malaikottai Valibaan is basically the story of a touring wrestler. The initial phase of the film gave the impression that Pellissery may be trying for an Indianized version of the Western genre. However, as the story concludes, it morphs into an LJP version of Indian TV soap serials.
A fit and physically transformed Mohanlal is believable on screen in his role as the wrestler. However, Pellissery fails to tap the swag and charm Mohanlal can deliver in such a larger-than-life character. And, there is a total disconnect with the audience. A weak supporting cast and terribly unimaginative characters add to the mess that Malaikottai Valibaan is. Danish Sait, portraying a local chieftain, Chamathakan, whose ego is bruised by Valibaan, is arguably the most irritating character in the film. It seems Sait aimed for a portrayal reminiscent of the American supervillain Joker, but his exaggerated acting ends up as a comedic misstep on screen.
Italian actor Andrea Ravera, who plays the role of a Portuguese slave trader, comes in a close second to Sait in terms of delivering an irritating character. Fortunately for the audience, Ravera has less screen time. Harish Perady, playing the role of aashan (master of Valibaan), initially delivers a decent performance. Unfortunately, as the film unfolds, his character arc takes a nosedive. Marathi actress Sonalee Kulkarni made her Malayalam debut with the film. Her lip movement, especially in the song sequences, is a mess.
P. S. Rafeeque, the writer of Pellissery's iconic film Amen, penned the script for Valibaan. The writer and the filmmaker fail to offer a proper background to any of the characters including the protagonist. This results in a weak world-building, which in turn results in a total emotional disconnect with the characters. Madhu Neelankandan does a great job providing the best visuals and the angles that a film like this demands. However, the impact of his work has been nullified by an uninspired editing process for the film.
The background score is outstanding in specific sections, but none of the songs were particularly memorable. There were multiple "unnecessary" song sequences in the film that lacked significance in the overall narrative.
The promotional efforts for Malaikottai Valibaan were limited. Nevertheless, the film generated excitement as the first collaboration between Mohanlal and Pellissery, who both claim a cult-like fan following of their own.
But it is highly unlikely that this film will satisfy either Mohanlal fans or Pellissery fans.
The most-repeated verse in the film is, “Whatever you have witnessed till now is a lie...what you are about to see is the truth”. Pellissery has announced a second part to Malaikottai Valibaan. This writer is attempting to console himself, thinking that what he experienced this morning as a Pellissery-Mohanlal film was all a lie! And, the 'real' film is yet to come!
Movie: Malaikottai Valibaan
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Cast: Mohanlal, Sonalee Kulkarni
Rating: 1.5/5
