Manjadikuru (2008) :
Brief Review -
An exceptional debut for Director Anjali Menon. Majadikuru brings a childhood nostalgia with life lessons and easily beats her own overhyped 'Banglore Days'. Sadly, i came to know about this film after watching 'Banglore Days' and 'Ustad Hotel' (Menon's writing). I would have probably bashed Banglore Days more if had seen this film before it because this one is much better and i never thought that such a gem film would remain unpopular. I mean, seriously, how are we going to produce more quality films if our audience is not watching such a great quality films just because it doesn't include big stars and commercial elements. At the same time our youth audience who call themselves Movie buffs are busy overstating films like Banglore Days but don't even know that something called 'Manjadikuru' exists. Anyways, this brief review is not about Banglore Days, i have already written a separate review of that so let's talk only and only about Manjadikuru. So, the film is about a 10-year-old boy who attends his grandfather's funeral in rural Kerala. During this 16 days period, his life changes as he learns more about his family, culture and himself. The film takes you back to those nostalgic childhood days and leaves you with mesmerized. Some scenes are so relevant to all of us as we all have done such funny things in childhood. Gradually, it becomes a very sensitive film when it shows that realisation of the boy and then how his maturity level is grown is even more interesting part. It also shows some terrible facts done by adults and how childrens acknowledge the things despite lower IQ level. In short, Manjadikuru is highly matured and sensible and children oriented drama made for Adults. Don't Miss it, if you really have a taste for quality cinema then believe me you'll love it more than Banglore Days. Well acted, well executed.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest.