Story: A wandering legendary fighter's travels through villages, involved in fights, and his life takes a turn due to the people he meets on the way
Review: Lijo Jose Pellishery's Malaikottai Vaaliban is a mixed bag of swift and interesting action scenes, epic frames, peppy songs and quite some lag in the first half. In what can be termed a visual extravaganza, Mohanlal matches the energy and mystery behind the titular character.
Katha Nandi as Jamanthi was fabulous. Sonalee Kulkarni's Rangapattinam Rangarani was a joy to watch till the character became a little less of what she was made out to be in the beginning, which takes nothing away from the actress, but how the writer PS Rafeeque and Lijo perceived and presented the character. Harish Peradi, Danish Sait and Sanjana Chandran did well respectively as Ayyanar, Chamathakan and the fierce confidant of Rangarani, all three mysterious and a little insane. Manoj Moses as Valiban's younger brother was thrumming with energy as he performed the loving brother and later a man who was supposedly betrayed.
The first half of the film showcased vigour and valour, and a patience-testing lag in certain parts which can certainly be equated to the slow paced life of nomads, as well as the specific style of filmmaking, but still makes one feel worn out. That said the frames are monumental and can truly hold the viewer's attention for a time. Madhu Neelakandan has done a phenomenal job.
While the build up to the second half could have been crisp, the second half itself turned out to be quite fun to watch if a little all over the place. One of the standout moments was the long battle scene which kept the fun quotient up. The bizarre characters Valiban met throughout the journey adds to the film's epicness. The music by Prashanth Pillai is like a live wire in some parts and sedate in others but always keeps the sparks up.
Some of the shots are so awe inspiring and the credit to some of this epicness belongs to the art directors who clearly understood what the director wanted from them. The costumes were interesting and consistent.
The film then veers towards emotional turmoil, exploring jealousy, misunderstandings and obsessiveness. How friends can become foes and how people who walk the same path can turn on each because of selfishness was all beautifully conveyed. While the basic story line, when you take Valiban out of the equation isn't very original or even well defined, there are very interesting elements adding layers to it. The film has Lijo's name written all over it.