Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela (2017)

[**** stars / *****] 

What would one do if they belonged to a dysfunctional family and discovered that the mother had cancer? How about absolute panic, confusion and chaos? 

I booked tickets for Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela (An Intermission in the Land of Crabs) on a sibling recommendation. Director, co-writer Althaf Salim and co-writer George Kora adapt Chandramathi's novel of the same name to the big screen. 

My sibling insisted that it is best not to know anything about the movie before the viewing. It was a great suggestion for when the movie unfolded on the 70mm screen, I was happily taken aback. 

Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela is a little gem of a Malayalam movie, an unlikely, surprising comedy on how a family copes when the mother undergoes cancer treatment. Cancer is fast becoming a common disease in India now. In such a dire state of affairs, the feathery, tickling treatment is both inspiring and courageous.

Nivin Pauly, Shanti Krishna, Lal and the ensemble cast put in excellent performances. The only sore thumb is the contrived romantic track, otherwise, Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela is easily among the best movies to make light of fighting a grim disease.

Pariyerum Perumal BA.BL (2018)

[**** stars / *****] 

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?

- Bob Dylan, Blowin' in the Wind

In largely dusty rural Tamil Nadu, steaming with caste tensions, atrocities, and killings, a young man, Pariyerum Perumal (Kathir) is out hunting with his beloved dog Karuppi. Perumal belongs to a community considered inferior by the "higher castes." 

Perumal is to join the local law college in a few days. He engages in small talk with other hunters of the community and they all begin walking back to their homes after a bath in a small pool. Some "higher caste" men stroll over. They watch the retreating group with hostility and there is some talk of teaching the group a lesson. Then Perumal notices that Karuppi is not around...

Pariyerum Perumal BA.BL has political undertones, and may even seem emotionally deviant, but this is a movie of heft, grit, reason and sincerity. 

The film works for its dark, effortless insight into the deplorable state that human beings can go down to. Perumal is a torch-bearer, a quiet revolution of change.    

There are many disturbing moments in the movie, there is also wisdom. 

When the last shot of the two tea glasses placed side by side fades away, I was in awe and admiration for this relentless, cinematic drama, written and directed with a straight-lined conviction by Mari Selvaraj. 

Don't miss Pariyerum Perumal BA.BL for its superb screenplay, purpose, top-rate performances, music and admirable honesty. Not pure, unadulterated cinema, but undoubtedly cinema nevertheless. 

Pariyerum Perumal BA.BL stands outs among the best regional (South Indian) movies I have viewed so far this year.