Double Barrel

This was one crash and burn like none other. As an ardent admirer of the Lijo Jose Pellisery school of film making and an even bigger admirer of Prithviraj (and to a lesser extent, his brother too), this was one flick I was betting the year on. Lijo's first movie was an under-appreciated little gem 'Nayakan' with Indrajith in a role which should have catapulted him to the big time, but didn't. Sadly, his second movie, and probably his best, City of God, was commercially noticed even less, but was one of my favorites of that year. But considering the huge supporting cast of big names and the Tarantino-sque trailer for this one, plus the fact that Lijo had finally cracked the commercial approval code with 'Amen', this had to be a surefire winner right?

Nothing could be further from the truth. Speaking as someone who loves experimental Malayalam cinema, I have to say I found nothing really to recommend here. The first sequence, in fact, was quite promising – with the arguing couple, the silent gunman and the explosive culmination of it in a black comedy of errors. But from then on in, I could only watch with growing disbelief as the movie descended into farce of unbelievable proportions. The silent gunman, played by Sunny Wayne, was probably the best part of the movie, and not nearly enough time was devoted to this character. A farcical tale on the pursuit of two diamonds, Laila and Majnu, which together are valuable beyond your wildest dreams but worthless individually, a whole cast of characters come together (or blow apart) in its chase. Leading the pack are the duo of brothers (Prithvi and Indrajith), small time crooks trying to break the big time. Chemban Vinod Jose and Arya play another track of small time hooligans trying to bury a couple of bodies their mobster boss killed. Speaking of which, how in the world is Arya such a huge star in the neighboring state? His lack of emotive skills and even poorer dialog delivery shows exactly why he probably could not make any in roads into the currently competitive Malayalam industry.

The ingredients were all there for a wild and quirky romp in a Mallu stoner attempt at Tarantino. Unfortunately, the biggest problem here is that the situations and dialogs are just not funny. What was meant to be rib tickling funny fell flat most of the time. Most of the story lines (apart from the silent assassin one) did not connect and it was way too long, clocking at a mammoth 2 hours 40 minutes.

There is almost nothing redeeming in this misadventure – except maybe for the fact that every director is allowed a misfire, and considering this is Lijo's first, he will hopefully bounce back with a bang.

After watching Double Barrell a.k.a Eratta Kuzhal, opinions would be polar, i.e., either you will like it tremendously, or you will hate it. Many movie goers are not able to connect with the film. Reason being primarily the movie not following a template seen in malayalam or rather Indian cinema. Those who are familiar with Guy Ritchie's movies like snatch, Rock,n,rolla will appreciate the bold and tremendous attempt by the makers. This movie doesn't have your typical heroes, villains, love track and a comedy track. This is story of some really messed up mad characters coming together in a very mad script (there are many characters all of equal importance).

Honestly, I believe this movie is still ahead of its time in malayalam cinema. Audience might not be ready for such experiments. Like Padmarajan movies in the past, this will get its due in the years to come. Salute to Lijo Jose and Prithviraj for such a brave attempt. Please do not stop what you are doing based on the box-office returns, because you are doing right stuff.

Double Barrel aka Iratta Kuzhal is a comedy movie from the director Lijo Pellissery,the film is packed with excellent visual experience and certainly a masterpiece by the film maker, action and black comedy combination is a new experience for south Indian viewers such an experience is seen only in Hollywood. Its similar to Django Unchained in some sense but different in other.

Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery

Produced by Prithviraj, Santhosh Sivan, Arya, Shaji Nadesan

Written by Lijo Jose Pellissery

Starring Prithviraj, Arya, Indrajith, Asif Ali, Sunny Wayne, Swathi Reddy, Isha Sharvani, Pearle Maaney

Music by Prashant Pillai

Cinematography Abhinandan Ramanujan

Production Company: August Cinema

Distributed by August Cinema, E4Events & Nanma International (Asia Pacific)

Release dates: August 28, 2015

Language Malayalam

Budget US$2.4 million .The cast of the movie have ultra modern look and its a retro styled movie like the "DOUBLE BARREL GUN" it self.

(Please pardon for my English) This movie is a wonder. From start the movie tells the story about the two stones(Laila,Majnu). The stone handed over from persons to persons and country to country with background of Historical facts. Incredible photography,great concepts, funny dialogs and good casting. My experience is that each frame of this movie is colorful. The detail is incredible can't lift my eyes. Technically, conceptually this movie can be wonder in Malayalam movie industry. And need guts to take risk One can call it a comedy movie,art movie or Gangster movie or Fantasy movie. This includes all of it I think. In my opinion this movie have some similarities with comedy movies like Nadodikattu,Patanapravesham,Akkareakkareakkare up-to some degree.

This movie is not for all. that is something people fail to understand. With a large number of characters intricately woven around the film should be watched with zero expectations as there are no prior movies it can be compared with. The movie will make you laugh and provide you with a cinematic experience that was alien to Malayalam movies. With time this movie may be appreciated as a Stoner classic of the industry