Swarna Kaduva

Jose Thomas has relied on improbability to make films throughout his life. While one of his recent features was a path-breaker, this comedy drama is straightaway impalpable.

Rini Maatummel (Biju Menon) is a self-interested middle-aged man who does all the dirty work for Lonappan (Innocent), an unscrupulous gold merchant. Other than his commission, Rini dupes his boss by charging him extra for the unpleasant things that he does. In an attempt to siphon as much money as possible, Rini goes to huge extents (sleeping with a random woman, marrying another random one) to a point when he disregards his own family. Things go wrong for him as Rini becomes a victim of his own greediness. The story is chiefly about the man's highfalutin exploits as he make his way through the crowd - all to get richer and for what!

Babu Janardhanan's story borrows from a lot of Malayalam films that we have seen in the last few years. It tries to be Jibu Jacob's Vellimoonga (2014) and Ranjith's Indian Rupee (2011), but fails to pull itself together. Watching Rini as he dupes one man after another is like watching auto-played YouTube videos about a single topic. The degree of improbability in the sequences is far too high, and that is what acts against the film. Viewers are generally informed nowadays, and you cannot expect them to believe everything that you throw. Therefore, if you choose to watch the film, there will be instances when you will be exchanging glances with your family members or friends, as in "What the heck?" Attempt at humour is fine, but when it begets dubiousness, things stop getting interesting.

Biju Menon is fine in his avatar as he delivers the character with the perfect Thrissur accent. Supporting cast like Innocent, Suresh Krishna, Hareesh, and others help in the flow. Actresses Iniya and Poojitha Menon are, as usual, puppets.

There is not much to talk about here. A few jokes here and there that may make you laugh and some drama in bits and twists. Rest everything is Rini trying to make money and succeeding at it until when he loses this one time. A skim-through wouldn't hurt, but don't expect anything great.

BOTTOM LINE: Jose Thomas's "Swarna Kaduva" is a fairly-made film about a man who will stop at nothing to make money. The only problem is that his imagination level is way convoluted, forcing us to doubt the feasibility of the entire premise. Switch channels when it airs on TV.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Swarna Kaduva is one of the few Malayalam films that took on the hypocrisy and corruption behind the alcohol ban in Kerala. The film really tears into the hypocritical Catholic priests and corrupt ministers who combined to deny Malayalis their fun and also destroy the livelihood of many bar owners and employees. But that is only one of the film's sub plots. The film is primarily about Rini Ipe Mattumel (Biju Menon) who is the street smart "Man Friday" of Lonappan Muthalali (Innocent). Rini is a man would do anything for money. Opportunity presents itself when Lonappan accidentally kills a man. The blackly comedic adventures of Rini and his assistant Joju (Harish Perumana) forms much of the film.

The first half is excellent. But the film falls apart a little bit in the second half due to some uninteresting sub-plots. It needed a tighter editorial hand. The uninspired background score by Gopi Sunder does not help matters. Jose Thomas' direction is nothing to write home about. I checked his filmography and realized that he has made many awful films like Mayamohini and Shringaravelan. He was a strange choice to direct this film. Lijo Jose Pellishery, Jude Anthony Joseph or Lal Jose could have made this film a classic.

The writer Babu Janardhanan is the real "behind the scenes" hero. He comes up with many witty one liners and twists. Biju Menon and Harish Perumana make a great team. This could well be a breakthrough film for Harish who is hilarious with his Thalaserry accent. Iniya is very impressive as a sultry woman who catches Rini's eye.