What Is the Story About?
Njoonjo (Sunny Wayne) and his family, wife, kid, and mother, live in a small house in a village along with his father, Itty (Alencier Ley Lopez). The father is a deranged man hated by all, and everyone is waiting for his death or is ready to kill
The movie’s overall story is about what happens when Kuriako, one of the victims of Itty before being paraplegic, comes for vengeance. The relationship between the family members and Itty and how it ends comprises the primary narrative.
Performances?
Sunny Wayne and Alencier Ley Lopez as father and son, are the main leads of the story. The others, too, are involved in the narrative, but they are central to the core drama.
Sunny Wayne plays the frustrated and angry son losing his temper to regaining and resigning to fate kind of son well. There is remarkable restraint and intensity even when he loses his cool.
But Alencier Ley Lopez is the real deal with the movie. He plays a paralysed waist down, aged, but spiteful person to perfection. The fact that one hates his character immensely, not just other roles of the narrative but also as a viewer, shows the kind of impact he has created. The vileness is brought all out without hiding it.
Analysis
Maju directs the movie Appan. He co-writes it with R Jayakumar. Like many Malayalam movies, Appan is a slice-of-life drama cum character study, but it isn’t a feel-good one. It is about a dysfunctional family with a spiteful patriarch character heading them.
The setting and the actor’s natural appearance and behaviour instantly draw one into the narrative. The slow pace isn’t an issue initially, although that’s not the case entirely.
Once the core relationships are established, we see a lot of drama between them. The proceedings are a careful examination of finer details related to how complicated the bondings are between the same family. The coming apart of the family and their changing equation is brought out well.
The segment where money is brought into the equation and how it changes people’s behaviour is neatly done. It is usually predictable, but the central character helps take the feeling away. There is always a doubt at the back of the mind about his actions.
The central patriarchal character is ultimately what holds things together. His nasty behaviour toward his son, unkindness toward his wife and daughter-in-law, spitefulness toward another woman, etc., create a tense and relatable atmosphere.
However, Appan is not with its share of issues. While the central character’s spiteful behaviour is the narrative’s driving force, it is also where one could lose interest. The above-mentions issues are all put together hurriedly and give a clumsy feel. The direction gets the blame for it.
Things turn out very difficult to watch due to repetition story-wise. Despite the potential of a compelling and engaging drama on offer, the narrative never gets going at that level.
Overall, Appan is a good attempt, but one that required refinement in making and presentation. It feels rushed, messy and repetitive and tests the viewer’s patience in more prominent parts. If you like watching compelling dramas, give it a try.
Other Artists?
The casting is a major asset for the movie. Everyone fits the role given to them and lives the part. Pauly Valsan, as the all-pain-bearing mother, brings her experience to the fore. The weariness and tiredness show on the face. Ananya, as an angry yet helpless wife, is a natural. Grace Antony appearing briefly is good enough for expressing minute assertions. Radhika Radhakrishnan and Anil K Sivaram shine in what’s given to them.
Music and Other Departments?
Dawn Vincent’s music is decent. The local appeal plays a good part in enjoyability. The background score is minimal, with intense bits from time to time. Pappu’s cinematography helps keep the visuals real. The locations are captured in a way to lend natural appeal to the proceedings. The editing could have been better. The writing is good, adding to the authentic feel.
Highlights?
Casting
Central Character
Core Drama
Alencier Ley Lopez
Drawbacks?
Meandering In Parts
Repetitive
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Appan Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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