Marana Mass Review: Basil Joseph's Thriller Turned Comedy

Basil Joseph’s Maranamass is a good laugh and thought provoking. Taking a step away from the usual feel good tone, the film is a thriller wrapped in comedy. A ruthless serial killer, his target, a good for nothing ‘influencer’, his boxer girlfriend, a softy bus driver, and a conductor who searches for his father lost 20 years ago, all in a bus adorned with political party flags. Sivaprasad’s directorial debut is a satire on all the shenanigans currently taking place in the society. With his quirky characters, lead by Basil Joseph’s ‘Sigma’ male, the film is a good entertainment.

The film starts off with reference to ripper Chandran, a serial killer who once kept Kerala in a grip of fear. Showing how stupid, exaggerated and deceiving media can get, the film shows media houses conducting panel discussions with ex-serial killer. Indicating the increased presence of non-Malayali workers in Kerala, the film mentions Hindi speaking reporter for ‘Malayalam News’, and Malayali employee of Hindi speaking employer based in Kerala.

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Basil as Luke PP, with a funky yellow hair, is crazy nuisance. Villagers take it upon themselves in collecting money to pack him to Czechoslovakia. Due to his destructive behavior, he became the prime suspect of a serial killer on the loose who has already claimed lives of three elderly man already. His girlfriend dumped him, and his ‘Sigma’ male ego is hurt.

However, the film does not solely rely on Luke P P. Siju Sunny, Rajesh Madhavan, Suresh Krishna – the convincing start of the new generation, and even Baby Anthony adds up to the humour.

Sivaprasad managed to make the laughable situation Kerala has now ended with beautifully. Siju Sunny, who portrayed a calm bus conductor has co-written the story with delicate ease weaving trolls and jabs without going overboard.

Idiosyncrasies of the characters, and the detailed references in the film, including the pepper spray can branded by a religious institution, with the tagline saying it ‘can even make God cry’ is commendable. Digging open a grave to bury the brand new dead body in their possession, a ‘save the date’ video shoot in a cemetery, and lighting up a funeral pyre in the middle of a dump yard’ all add to the appeal of the film.

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However, the second half of the film should have been a little more crisp. Certain characters appeared unwanted, including the missing dog, which was given more screen time than required. Such factors block Maranamass from taking the top spot in being the tightly-packed dark comedy. Though the climax scenes have subtle unpredictable moves, it lacked the punch. Unnecessary lagging has severed the films expected glory.

Maranamass is a good one time watch for the Vishu weekend. Cutting out the little sluggish pace in the second half, the film would be a top runner among its other competitors in theatre.

Cast:

Basil Joseph
Rajesh Madhavan
Siju Sunny
Babu Antony
Suresh Krishna
Anishma Anilkumar
Pooja Mohanraj
Joemon Jyothir
Puliyanam Poulose
Dheeraj Denny

Crew: 

Director: Sivaprasad
Production: Tovino Thomas Productions, Rapheal Productions, World Wide Films
Written: Siju Sunny
Screenplay: Siju Sunny, Sivaprasad
Cinematography: Neeraj Revi
Music: JK