"How many kms from Washington DC to Miami beach? Kms & Kms"...there will hardly be any Malayali who doesn't known this iconic dialogue from "Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu". Even after 3 decades it's still impossible to stop smiling whenever that scene is discussed & that would be the reason why Jeo Baby decided to choose that as the title for his latest project. Unlike other Onam releases, this one released directly on Asianet & from the trailer itself it was evident that it was a travel based movie. So will the audience warm up to this Indo-American relation ???
Josemon (Tovino Thomas) is in his own words one among the numerous individuals who is like Mammootty in "Valsalyam". Based in Kottayam, he did a host of odd jobs to make ends meet & when things started to get over his head, he decides to sell his beloved bullet which belonged to his late father. However, an opportunity comes knocking in the form of Cathy (India Jarvis), an American who had come to visit India & hires the services of Josemon to take her around. Thus begins a journey of cultural & self discovery.
This is Jeo's first venture since the critically acclaimed "Kunju Daivam", which by the way if you guys haven't watched it, then definitely do so. He has penned the script with emphasis on humour & goodness in all the people that is presented. It isn't an intense as "NPCB" & caters to all sections of the audience. It sails by smoothly for most parts of the journey though the part from when they get stuck in Rajasthan starts to wear us down after a point of time. In essence, it does not offer anything new that we haven't seen before & Rehman Mohammad Ali along with Prejish Prakash could have edited atleast 15 minutes from its present form. Sinu Sidharth has picturised it really well while Sooraj Kurup's music was fine.
This is Tovino's first production venture & in terms of his performance, he has done a fine job as he endears to the audience with his emotions and humour. India has done her part aptly while Sidhartha Siva tickles the funny bone as a Malayali forced to settle in Rajasthan. As for the rest, Basil Joseph & Joju George make their presence felt in the limited screen space.
Verdict: There is no doubt that it is a light hearted version of NPCB but in terms of treatment & story, it does not offer anything that we haven't seen or expected. It gives us a glimpse as to how people from different nations view each other be it their culture, customs & relationships. Essentially it is a feel good time pass flick!!!
Rating: 2.5/5
Regards...Ben
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