Paappan

Paappan is an excessively long murder mystery thriller that fails to utilize its leading star to the fullest. With so many characters and subplots that stretch the run-time, the first half of the film basically goes nowhere. When some of the plot points and twists are gradually unfurled, we are immediately reminded of another Joshiy film from the '90s. There isn't a whole lot to talk about when it comes to the screenplay treatment - Joshiy's directorial effort is as old-school as it can get - it's just the technicalities that (naturally) show improvement. I feel Jakes Bejoy's score was less impactful this time around, or maybe it's because the script didn't have any powerful, elevating moments for Suresh Gopi.

The film does pick up pace and offers mild thrills in the final 30 minutes, even when certain tropes (from every thriller in the last few decades) are conveniently added. I don't think any of the performances in Paappan are worth a special mention (including SG's), though amongst the lot, Shammi Thilakan does notably well in a post-interval scene. Neeta Pillai gets a lot of screen-time but unfortunately plays an IPS officer who makes routinely silly decisions, running behind every loose end. Gokul Suresh doesn't have much to do except be a typical "pillar of support" for the lead. While Paappan won't bore you to death, it ultimately doesn't fall under the memorable category either.

What makes paappan a good watch when compared to a number of thrillers being dropped to mollywood recently?. Just because the complications they shown in this movie are well explained. There were few thriller movies released in Malayalam in the recent times, but most of them were not able to explain all the links they've put to progress the story. But Paappan does it and does it well. The story line does lacks a powerful base,but the way they narrated and executed is appreciable. A decent and different attempt from Joshiy. Never expected such a calm, organised approach from him. Can't be described as totally engaging,but okay. Yes a Good Watch.

Neeta Pillai as ASP Vincy Abraham was surprising and she did a marvellous job. She holds the first half & Suresh Gopi rocks the second half.

+ves: Superb Suresh Gopi and fantabulous Neeta Pillai. Script. Joshiy's direction.

-ves: Sometimes too loud RR.

The film is too slow and lacks logic at many points. Casting too was not great as the junior actors couldn't or didn't perform well. An average murder mystery that gets a bit dramatically interesting by the last 10 minutes.

Joshiy is perhaps the greatest mass movie maker Malayalam has ever seen with the possible exception of Shaji Kailas. From "New Delhi (1987)" to "Lion (2006)", the master director has given us an array of character-driven mass heroes, in direct contrast to the template physicality we have seen in the genre, relying more on power of personality and dialogue to deliver mass elevation sequences. In "Paappan", he gives us a more understated, brooding and low key avatar of superstar Suresh Gopi which while being appreciable, still just barely manages to salvage an overlong, trite film.

The story follows the journey of retired Circle Inspector "Abraham Paappan" (Suresh Gopi) and his estranged daughter, ASP Vincy Abraham (an excellent Neeta Pillai) as they are forced to put aside their differences and work together to track down an elusive serial killer. The writing from RJ Shaan is unimaginative and cliche-ridden, relying on familiar tropes we have seen umpteen times in films such as "Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990)", "Memories (2013)" and "Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)", offering nothing ingenuitive or unexpected to justify its overlong, overstuffed 2 hour 50 minute run-time.

The supporting performances from Asha Sharath, Nandhu, Gokul Suresh, Kaniha and co remain surface-level and without impact not due to their performances but due to clear lack of tightness in the script and depth in the writing. There are so many characters moving in and out of the narrative without ever justifying their presence that after a point the audience will want to give up. The director might have thought these barrage of red herrings would have built up the suspense element, but they act contradictory to expectations, giving a contrived and exhausting sheen to proceedings.

It was refreshing to see Suresh Gopi in an aged, battle-weary avatar as a dejected cop trying to rewrite old wrongs and Neeta Pillai holds her own as a fierce, steadfast cop who habitually puts duty above family and relationships. Unfortunately, the script and narrative fall apart around them the more you get into the movie, with the vapid, cringeworthy climax, especially leaving a bad taste in the mouth. Watch this one at your own risk. In a year that gave Malayalam thrillers of the level of "Twenty One Grams" and "Ela Veezha Poonchira", "Paappan" does not pass the acid test and ends up being sub-par. If you are expecting classic Joshiy level thrills and chills, you will be sorely disappointed!