Philips and the Monkey Pen

It is not everyday that you see a children's film enthrall both kids and adults alike. But here is one such gem from first timers Rojin Thomas and Shanil Muhammed who have beyond doubt written something special in the history of Malayalam cinema with their monkey pen. A very innocent take on school and life there, PATMP is a film with a heart.

The movie opens with a few school boys planting posters on a school wall and quickly spirals into the history of a magical pen which one of the boys possesses, the Monkey Pen. We are taken back to British ruled Kochi (who in turn are ruled by a very monkey-faced and lanky Mr.Moorthi).

Ryan Philip played by Master Sanoop, like any other 5th grade boy is as naughty as naughty gets. Jayasurya, a once-naughty-boy, plays Ryan's dad and Remya Nambeesan, a once-eloped-lover, plays his mom. A non-homework doer and late-comer Ryan is not new to being beaten black and blue by his Maths Teacher (Vijay Babu). His naughty tantrums form the first half of the movie.

It spirals you back into your school days where war meant butt-stabbing with sharpened pencils and and launching Duster missiles.

Ryan with his naughty antics teaches his school principal (Mukesh), Maths teacher and grandpa (Joy Mathew) how to love and forgive. It is often quoted that smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight and Ryan proves how true that is.

The movie does remind of you the classic Taare Zameen Par here and there, but the directors quickly rule out such comparisons with their own creativeness.

Master Sanoop's cute smile is infectious and diffuses out of the screen to spread one across your face. Vijay Babu as the Caning Maths Teacher, Mukesh as the apple loving principal and Joy Mathew as Captain Grand-dad are simply perfect and they all etch a place in your heart. Special mentions must go to Ryan's gang members, especially Mr.Toothless- ruthless.

The speck-less cinematography that captures the innocent smile and the Sea's wide mile alike, is an absolute delight. The music is soothing and refreshing. The BGM is so moving that it can bring tiny droplets of tears even on the driest of eyes.

This is a movie that revokes that child inside you and redeems the adult that you are. It teaches you how simple deeds can have gargantuan impacts in making our world a happy place. The creators have infused wit and wisdom in balanced proportions laying out an interesting, thought provoking and introspective piece of cinema that can have a cathartic effects on the shady part of your brain.

Like the Chalk Board red 'One positive thought can make your day Happy'.

I was expecting a copy of some blown-off children's film with clichéd story-line and commonplace jokes. I was wrong, to an extent.

It starts off with a fantasy story of how a pen with a monkey head works wonders for a British. Characters grow into the screen as the beautiful narration advances and exposes plot points. Centered in a school, where a bunch of mischief machines find trouble doing their Math homework, the story revolves around Ryna Philips and his transition from bad boy to good boy. The aura is brilliantly captured, supported by a very good cast. The lead actor really pulls off his role well. Also, other kids keep us entertained with potshots to teachers, jokes and funny actions.

Jayasurya & Remya Nambeeshan do good as parents and they play pivotal roles towards the end. Chiefly, the story gives many life values throughout as to what is right, there is only one God, help others, say the truth always, etc.. As a result, it becomes a very good manual kinda film for kids who can learn stuffs.

What was supposed to be a fantasy flick goes serious towards the end and the climax just was the apt thing for the film. I loved Vijay Babu and his portrayal. Never a dull moment. Although, as an adult, the screenplay seemed to detach me with the whole experience. Not complaining of the 2 hours, but still, too much childish elements made me numb.

BOTTOM LINE: Recommended! Still, better than lots of other Mallu movies.

Another superb Malayalam movie and as usual is truly apart from the regular Indian Cinema. Fantabulous direction of Shanil Muhammed, Rojin Thomas & Rojin Philip which is absolutely flawless and distinctive creativity with a combination of great cinematography by Neil D'Cunha and beautiful locales from our very own God's own Country's Cochin. All the kids have acted extremely well especially Sanoop Santhosh who acted as Ryan Philip. Ryan and the other kids are the best child actors in the country. There is no Indian movie or TV shows in 2013 which can match these kids acting. The other characters like Ryan's parents, Grandpa, the school teacher, Principal, God etc. are all placed well and have been enacted well too. Kudos to Shanil Muhammed and Rojin Thomas for having written such a wonderful story on child innocence and actual life and how to counter the same with a smile is not only appealing to kids and adults alike but also with such good morales for the growing kids to learn and use in their day to day life like respecting and loving the Teachers and simple deeds which can have immense impact.

The music by Rahul Subrahmaniam is also excellent with some good songs apt for the movie which can compel the audience into tears.

Prejish Prakash edited the movie very well keeping it to the point with each moment of the movie absolutely captivating.