Movie: Manjummel Boys
Rating: 3/5
Banner: Parava Films, Mythri
Cast: Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi S. Poduval, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, Khalid Rahman, Chandu Salimkumar, Shebin Benson, Vishnu Reghu, and others
Music Director: Sushin Shyam
DOP: Shyju Khalid
Editor: Vivek Harshan
Producers: Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, Shawn Antony
Written and Directed by: Chidambaram
Release Date: April 06, 2024
Malayalam film “Manjummel Boys” was released in February 2024 in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and received widespread acclaim from audience and critics. It became the first film in the Malayalam film industry to earn more than Rs 200 crore. Now, the Telugu dubbed version was released by Mythri Movie Makers.
Let’s find out its merits and demerits.
Story:
In 2006, a group of friends decided to visit Kodaikanal. After touring the hill station, they go to the caves that are commonly referred to as Guna Caves (due to Kamal Haasan's movie).
Inebriated, the young men boldly venture into a prohibited zone. Subash, one of the boys, tumbles into a deep hole.
According to the locals, no one has ever survived exiting that ravine. The rest of the drama is about the efforts employed by the other friends to rescue their friend, with the assistance of government officials and local people.
Artistes’ Performances:
The actors' performances are superb. All of them have done a great job. For us, all these actors are unfamiliar.
Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Bhasi get more scope, other actors including Chandu Salim Kumar and Deepak Parambol have flawlessly performed their roles.
Technical Excellence:
The cinematography executed by Shyju Khalid warrants particular acknowledgment. Not only did he beautifully film the picturesque landscapes of Kodaikanal, but he also skillfully captured the intense atmosphere of the caves and the aftermath of the accident.
Sushin Shyam enhances the tension even more with his exceptionally impressive background score. The unsettling music evokes a chilling sensation during pivotal moments.
These types of films are most effective when the editing and sound design are of the highest quality. The editor's work is exceptionally impressive. The crisp runtime is another additional benefit. The sound design is exceptional.
Highlights:
Gripping narration
Emotional strength
The riveting climax
Solid technical output
Drawback:
Initial portions
Analysis
"Manjummel Boys" is based on a true story that happened in Kodaikanal in Tamilnadu. This film replicates the actual events involving a group of young men from Manjummel, Kerala, who bravely saved their friend from being trapped in Guna cave in 2006. Manjummel is a village in Kerala. Hence, the title.
Director Chidambaram has added a dramatic element to this incident and presented the film in an exciting and suspenseful way. "Manjummel Boys" is not only a survival thriller, but also a film that explores the theme of friendship.
This is not a ‘story’ film. It revolves around rescuing a friend who unintentionally fell into a ravine. But director Chidambaram employs numerous screenplay techniques to captivate our attention from start to finish. His screenplay writing is excellent.
The survival sequences in director Chidambaram's film are not as exhilarating as those in the Hollywood film "127 Hours". However, Chidambaram's skillful narration succeeds in keeping us on the edge of our seats. In addition, he incorporates Kamal Haasan's "Guna" film and its song quite well into the screenplay adding a beauty to the overall theme.
The intriguing aspect of this film lies in its absence of exaggerated moments. The rescue unfolds in a natural manner, with the reactions of the people and the subsequent sequences portrayed using cinematic techniques. The technical team has provided excellent support to director Chidambaram in his writing and execution.
While some episodes may not be particularly thrilling, they still contribute to the overall appeal of the movie. An admirable aspect of the film is that the viewer never experiences a sense of being overwhelmed while observing the rescue sequences. Furthermore, there is no exaggeration or excessive theatricality present.
Overall, "Manjummel Boys" is a well-crafted survival thriller. Do not anticipate the movie to be great, but you will certainly enjoy and experience excitement while watching this narrative of friendship and survival drama.
Bottom line: Engaging 'in depth'