Lal is one very fortunate producer and actor. Almost every movie from his Lal Release has recovered it’s cost, some of them having average scripts. I want to know his secret. I sure as hell demand to know which temple he frequents, the poojas he performs or the mantras he chants to make his movies laugh all the way to the bank while I stand on my head unable to comprehed their box office success!
Now here is one more from this bearded, lean physique actor’s stable Thommanum Makkalum (Thomman & sons) starring himself and superstar Mammotty that has, fortunately, set the cash registers ringing despite proving to be a mediocre fare.
Why in God’s name it ’clicked’
Shafi, the brother of another okay dokey director Rafi (of blockbuster Thenkasipattanam fame) directs TM. He has done a fair job, at the most.
Lal and him should thank their stars that the audience accepted TM solely due to the hilarious comedy, 1 or 2 ok songs and the power-packed presence of Mammotty.
Credit also goes to them for not driving us insane by dragging the movie. 120 minutes simply whizz by like a 10-year-old whose undergarments are on fire!
Revealing some portions of the non-story-sense
Shivan and Sathyan are close buddies who escaped from an orphanage when they were young. Thomman, whose family is no more, takes ’care’ of them. Infact, it’s the other way around. Shivan & Sathyan begin stealing to support the family of three while Thomman spends most of his time drinking and lovingly calling them patti (dog)! Shivan is the most aggressive of the three, unbeatable in street fights.
The trio, after many years, finally decide to come clean and move to Udumalpet to start a new life. Fate brings them to Janardhanan & his 3 daughters (Sindhu Menon & 2 young girls). Sathyan falls for Sindhu and wants to marry her. But inevitably, there’s a problem. Sindhu cannot marry unless the local Thevar’s (lord) daughter Laya gets a groom.
Earlier, Janardhanan’s son had married Laya but fled from the village with her jewellery & cash. Enraged Thevar gatecrashed into Sindhu’s wedding ceremony, chased the groom away and swore she will never marry as long as Laya remains single. So, Shivan comes up with a solution. He forcibly ties a thali on Laya to save Sathyan’s love!
All hell breaks loose and Thevar’s goons bay for Shivan’s blood. But the gold-hearted Laya intervenes and declares her love for him. Reluctantly, Thevar accepts Shivan and in a sincere gesture of truce, offers to hold a grand combined wedding of Shivan & Sathyan. This rankles a certain somebody who’s determined to stop the weddings. He’d also murdered Janardhanan’s son and buried him secretly. Why? And what happens in the end?
Let me whisper the climax into your ear - It SUCKS!
Actors
Mammotty as Shivan carries the movie effortlessly on his veteran shoulders. He is cute in the role of the uneducated big brother, delivers the best dialogues and is flawless during sentimental moments.
Lal as Sathyan becomes the audience’s favorite. His jokes bring the house down including ’stopleese’ (stop, please) and ’smart boys’ (praising a young girl).
Rajan Dev as Thomman gives able support to the two.
Actress Laya in her debut role has nothing much to do. Casting her as the leading heroine is a mistake in itself. Anyway she can act to save her life, so her career isn’t goodbye yet.
Sindhu Menon is another habitual victim to insipid roles like this. Thankfully, she can always fall back on ever-available serials.
Salim Kumar as Sathyan & Shivan’s sidekick is a saving grace, adding significantly to the earnings of the movie with his rip-roaring comedy.
Songs are forgettable. Yesudas, M.G. Sreekumar, Chitra and others do their best, their voice full of enthusiasm & energy but...
The climax which has a special effect involving Rajan Dev is poorly done and unnecessary. It simply adds to our woes of bearing this mediocre story.
Anyway the movie is safe at the box office, reportedly grossing already 97 lakhs in it’s opening weekend!! The much-deserving blockbuster Udayananu Tharam earned 72 lakhs in comparison.
Watch if Achuvinte Amma is not showing at a theatre near you, or you’re short of friends, parties and books. But never ever forget to lock your brain & temper in a safe at home before venturing for this silly entertainer.
Verdict: Time-pass comedy that deserves the trash if not for our affection for Lal and Mammotty.
God bless the Malayalam movie industry !