Kaathal: The Core Movie Review : Mammootty-Jeo Baby tell a bold story well

Story: Mathew Devassy is set to contest the elections, when he is hit with a family crisis. How will he balance his personal and professional issues?

Review: Straight off the bat, kudos to Mammootty and Jeo Baby for coming together to bring a bold story on the big screen in a beautiful manner. While writers Paulson Skaria and Adarsh Sukumaran deserve pats on the back and more for the gently unfolding story, it is the director’s vision that gives the film a wow factor in key moments.

Kaathal - The Core has Mammootty playing Mathew Devassy, an independent candidate chosen by the left to contest the local byelection. Just as the soft-spoken Mathew accepts the candidature, an unexpected crisis hits. Omana, his wife of 20 years, files for divorce. And thus unfolds the story of why she does this, why she held back for so long and what it means for all those involved.

As you understand the reason for the divorce petition, you wonder how the film will take it on. Credit to the whole team for tackling the main issue straight on without hiding behind innuendo or so-called polite words, and even showing the other characters in the relationship. The film also uses this topic to look at how the courts and laws work, but also, how society - which includes everything from polity, to the church and family - is ready for change, and how liberating the truth can be for everyone.

The film has kept everything - emotions, music and drama - very low-key and so, ironically, the tension feels heightened in a good way. Jeo Baby has already shown his skill with the use of sound in The Great Indian Kitchen, and here, in a scene between Mathew and Omana at the climax, you expect the dialogues to be followed by dramatic music, but it is just their words hitting us and then, when we don’t expect it, the scene is filled with a BGM that drives the emotions home. Composer Mathews Pulickan has given the movie just what it needs.

Cinematographer Salu K Thomas and editor Francies Louis too, have given the film a gentle mood that is infused throughout the film.

What to say about Mammootty? The megastar seems incapable of taking a wrong step in terms of his movie choices and he is reinventing himself through every character. Mathew Devassy is a very different character because of what he has gone through in life and Mammootty shows his stunning calibre in understanding that and showcasing a character who is ingrained with fear, falsehoods and pathos. Jyothika is impressive as a silent, but very strong wife, who has endured life with grace and is determined to go through divorce in the same manner. Given the story, it is interesting to see the amazing chemistry the couple have. The supporting cast too, have done an excellent job.

Good movies can make society think and even initiate change. Kaathal - The Core might be one such.