Thalavan Review: Biju Menon-Asif Ali Excel In Engaging Police Story
Police stories are the best resort for writers who are in search for variety of stories. Jis Joy-directed Thalavan is a good addition to the best police stories in Malayalam. Perfectly executed by good writing and direction, along with stunning acting by Biju Menon, Asif Ali and couple of supporting actors, Thalavan is enhancing the list of good movies happened in the recent past in Malayalam. One aspect that will determine the acceptability of the movie is the engaging nature of the film.
After Anuraga Karikkin Vellam, the Asif Ali – Biju Menon combo is working really well in the movie as senior and junior cops whose lives take a turn when encountered with unexpected events in their personal and professional lives.
A role of police officer is the most comfortable place actor Biju Menon can excel. His entire filmography is full of police roles with some of them have turned out to be huge box office hits. His recent outings in that genre include Thundu and Ayyappanum Koshiyum. Like this, Asif Ali has also proved his mettle with good performances as a police officer in the past, including in the critically acclaimed Kuttavum Shikshayum.
But, what makes both the actors pull off a composed acting is the screenplay. Though both of them have proved their caliber in various genres, aggressive and fiery characters come easy for both them, especially in police roles. That element has helped them to succeed as CI Jayashankar (Biju Menon) and SI Karthik in Thalavan.
Other actors in the movie, Dileesh Pothan as Udhayabanu (DYSP), Miya George as Jayashankar”s wife Sunitha, Anusree as Ramya, Kottayam Nazeer as CPO Reghu and Joji Mundakayam as CPO Venu have done excellent work to give the movie the treatment it deserves as a crime thriller. Nazeer and Joji have been exceptional as the CPOs who represent different faces in the conflict happens among the police officers with notable nuances.
The script by Anand Thevarkkat and Sarath Perumbavoor lets Jis Joy to change his route from the normal story lines he had done in the past.
Thalavan, after the initial introduction and the detailing of the characters, enters into the main thread, to find the criminal and the motive. The writers are careful to keep the viewer engaged as the screenplay lets the characters explore the underlying reasons and justifications for criminal behavior. In detail, as the movie reaches the climax, the the movie seeks to understand the ethical dimensions and rationalisations that drive individuals to commit crimes. However, the movie doesn”t allow the viewer to do the exact guess on the culprit, the way it lags on the story is a small hiccup.
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One upgrade for the director in the movie is that, from the past of flawed and loose story telling in movies like Bicycle Thieves, Sunday Holiday, Vijay Superum Pournamiyum, Mohan Kumar Fans and Innale Vare in the past, he finds rhythm and confidence as a director, especially after he has ventured out to helm a crime thriller.
Timeline verdict: Thalavan is a good police story with excellent story telling and effective presentation. The movie can keep you engaged till the last shot.
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Cast: Biju Menon, Asif Ali, Dileesh Pothan, Miya George, Anusree, Kottayam Nazeer, Joji Mundakayam, Ranjith, Jaffar Idukki, Bilas Chandrahasan, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Sabumon Abdusamad
Direction: Jis Joy
Writers: Anand Thevarkkat, Sarath Perumbavoor
Timeline Rating: 3/5
