The opening scene of Minnal Murali features a small-scale drama titled 'The saint of Pallikunnu' in an even smaller town fair, which successfully sums up the visual and narrative beauty of the entire film. So, in case you didn't get a chance to check out the trailer, you'll be delighted to know that they have you covered!
Introduction
Film: Minnal Murali
Director: Basil Joseph
Genre: Action/Adventure
Duration: 2h 39m
Screenplay: Arun Anirudhan, Justin Mathew
Cast: Tovino Thomas, Guru Somasundaram, Femina George
Language: Malayalam
Plot Synopsis - No Spoilers!
In a small town called Kurukkanmoola, a tailor gains superpowers after being struck by lightning but must take down an unexpected adversary if he is to become the superhero his hometown needs.
Film Review
Like any other superhero film, Minnal Murali strives to draw attention towards the idea of a superhero and attempts to link this extraordinary phenomenon to an ordinary setting. Narratively, the film unfolds with subtle foreshadowing and focuses on the main characters by comparing and contrasting their journeys throughout the course of the film.
This not only helps in engaging the audience and making them familiar with the protagonist and antagonist but also drives home the importance of understanding the difference between the two.
Cliché yet satisfying character arcs embrace the beauty of resilience and offer interesting dimensions to the larger-than-life portrayals of ordinary people. Moreover, fascinating sub-plots and supporting characters help in elevating the narrative and offer a much-needed depth to the overall plot.
Possibly the most intriguing part of the narrative is the point of conflict and how it gracefully finds its way into what starts to feel like a light-hearted action film. The pace of the film also plays an important part in maintaining the tone and rhythm of not just the characters but also the town.
The cinematography of Minnal Murali feels grounded and not that cinematic (until the third act) which is what makes it stand out from the usual superhero flicks. It is refreshing and brings a sense of visual realism to the town of Kurukkanmoola. The editing is seamless and creative as and when the film requires it to be.
The art design and lack of over-the-top visual effects almost make you forget that you're watching a superhero film. Some of the technical aspects that do make Minnal Murali feel cinematic are the compelling background score and phenomenal stunt work. Topped with even better performances, this film succeeds in leaving you with some memorable characters.
One of the few shortcomings of the film, however, is that even though the use of flashbacks and musical pieces offer emotion and engagement, the duration does feel a bit too long. Another area of concern is that the film has a comedic undertone and though it is quite enjoyable to watch, there are times when certain gimmicks fall short and feel awkward.
My favorite aspects of the film include a special Bruce Lee cameo and the fact that Minnal Murali succeeds in avoiding multiple superhero film tropes. Moreover, refreshing and new addition to this superhero flick that makes it a game-changer is the fact that it openly addresses the dominance of American pop culture on our understanding of superheroes and doesn't shy away from showing morally-flawed characters.
The way in which the film showcases some very Indian shortcomings of a superhero in certain scenes offers another layer of relatability and charm. Above all what Minnal Murali excels at is its curiosity to indulge in the grey corners of its lead characters and finding out what makes people believe in superheroes.
After Surya (Mard ko dard nahi hota) and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, Minnal Murali is another cool Indian guy-next-door superhero whom you can't help but cheer for as he attempts to save his town and the superhero film genre from eroding under the weight of countless cliché disappointments.
The Bottom Line
Every time I watch a fictional character in a shiny skin-tight costume saving a bunch of people on screen, a question arises: what separates a good superhero film from a great one? If this question teases your mind too then watch Minnal Murali and find out for yourself.
IMDb Rating - 8.5/10
Streaming Now on Netflix.com
Written by: Janshi
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