Minnal Murali - Back to Form

In an age where superhero movies are getting larger in scale and stakes, it's refreshing to see a much more simple, light hearted and well told superhero origin story. I think it's a little risky that the first time where Minnal Murali actually saves people, is near the 2 hour mark, and I can respect that. I was certainly interested to see what Malayalam cinema does with the superhero (genre), and they didn't disappoint. 

In the first act of the film, we see the lives of two men. One being the protagonist Jaison, and another man Shibu. They both are connected through unfulfilled love. Jaison's high school sweetheart is getting married off to someone else, which causes for some conflict between Jaison, and her father who happens to be a police officer of that town. And Shibu's love, who had earlier ran away from town, returns because her husband cheating on her. 

I was initially wondering why we were seeing the story of Shibu alongside the story of Jaison, who's the main character. Only then I realised that this is a superhero movie, and Shibu is the soon-to-be antagonist of the film. I found it genius how they are connected by the lightning that gives them superpowers, which the film sets up before. This is how they're similar in a way, the difference between them is what they choose to do with their powers.

For a major portion of the film after they get their powers, is just about them figuring out about it, and this made me reminisce about the time in superhero movies where the hero learned about their powers. It took me back to an innocent age when they weren't focussed on building up a cinematic universe, but instead focussed only on telling an individual story. Jaison is more surprised and worried, meanwhile Shibu is scared in the beginning, but becomes comfortable with them much earlier than Jaison.

Jaison wishes to leave his town and go to the US, and Shibu wishes to be loved by his high school sweetheart. These personal desires is what makes us care for them. Now I was looking forward to the reason for what made the hero and villain come in conflict, and that could make or break the film. Thankfully it pulled it off successfully well. I was also interested to see what would make Shibu the "villain", because from what was shown, he's just a nice guy who wants his to marry his love. 

Jaison becomes the vigilante 'Minnal Murali' to get revenge on the cop for injuring his father figure, and denying his passport verification to go to the US, and parallel to this, Shibu also dawns an odd costume, to rob the bank, but it's not for selfish intentions. He robs the place to pay for his love interest's daughter's operation. I find this to be interesting as this is when they really use their powers with full intention, but not when they become their true selves. But after this, Minnal Murali gets framed, not only for battering the cops, but also for the robbing of the bank, and this gives Shibu the idea to frame all of his misdoings in the name of the vigilante. It only makes the villain more cunning and makes way for what's to come in his evil path.

I also love the setting that the people behind the film create. Of course, it's much light hearted in tone, so there's a sense of comedic surrealism to the things that take place. There's a lovely and hilarious kid, who's Jaison's nephew, who gives him the idea of dawning a mask and suit to protect his town. There's a hilarious gag where Jaison laughs at the United States for copying their brand "Abibas" to become "Adidas." And there's a 'blink-it-or-you'll-miss-it' moment where as Minnal Murali is beating up the cops, there's a shot of a cold drink reading "Pespi." Even the funny cop who assumes every action of Shibu framing Minnal Murali to be the work of terrorists in Iraq. These little moments aren't vital story wise, but help in establishing the tone of the setting they're in, and gives it a sense of colourful personality.

In about an hour and 50 minutes into the film, Minnal Murali actually saves the people in a bus. This is when Jaison actually becomes the superhero because his puts his powers to good use, instead of using it to get revenge. And around the same time is when Shibu truly becomes the villain. I love this his villainy is a gradual turn to evil as his desire to marry his love only drives him crazy. It pushes him to a point where he's ready to take the life of a man in the name of "love", when it can only be an unhealthy obsession. Despite that the film never forgets to remind you why he's doing this. It stems from a relatable, personal desire that makes him feel more human. But another thing I loved about Shibu is that despite him being a sympathetic character, he still manages to feel deliciously evil and like a dangerous threat that must be stopped. 

The final battle feels emotionally satisfying because Jaison truly dawns the cape and cowl by listening to his deceased father's words of wisdom, who too was also a hero, both in the play he took part in, as well as in real life. Shibu terrorises the town because they're the ones who did him wrong, and now he feels like it's his turn to return the favour. Again, it's morally wrong but I get why he was doing this. The reason I love the hero villain dynamic is because both Jaison and Shibu were struck by the same lightning, but what made them different is their choices. Shibu chose to see the worst in people, and that fuelled his his hate towards them. Meanwhile Minnal Murali chooses to see the best in people. They're the opposite sides of the same coin. 

Now of course, the film isn't at all perfect. There are some side characters, such as that of the Karate Girl that feel underdeveloped. There's a plot line about Jaison's father that feels a little half baked and could've had much more of an emotional punch. But it feels terrific to have a really solid superhero movie from our country with stellar writing at it's core. I'd love to see a sequel to this, and hopefully it's a befitting continuation by progressing it's main characters and their conflicts. Malayalam cinema doesn't disappoint and proves yet again why they're the best.

Thank Your for Reading

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