Jeo Baby's transformative journey into the heart of human relationships unfolds with unparalleled grace in his revolutionary queer narrative, Kaathal, making it one of the finest standouts in the year’s cinescape.
The title serves as a fitting prelude to the heart of the film (pun intended). It skillfully unravels the layers of a seemingly loveless marriage, exposing the intricacies at its core - the revelation of one partner's sexual orientation.
Unlike the drab conventions of queer cinema that often inevitably succumb to sensationalist pity-scrounging, Jeo Baby's directorial acumen seeps through the film's deliberate avoidance of melodramatic stereotypes.
Kaathal doesn't hasten to its pivotal moment; instead, it patiently navigates the mundane intricacies of two lives, delicately weaving a tapestry of emotions before gently converging into a poignant close.
Each character interaction in the film orbits this nucleus with a precision that underscores the filmmakers' commitment to stay true to their moving storytelling.
At the crux of this achievement lies the prowess of lead actors Mammootty and Jyotika, whose portrayal of Mathew and Omana elicits a profound sense of understanding and empathy.
Though admittedly (and quite shamefully) this may have been my first tryst with the Malayali icon, Mammootty is a revelation. Transcending the more familiar macho archetypes, the veteran paragon of masculinity excels in navigating the vulnerabilities, fears, and helplessness of his character.
Mammootty brings an emotional depth that is both resonant and palpable, but feels authentic and grounded. Kaathal effectively balances the portrayal of a loveless marriage filled with concern and care, juxtaposed with the complexities inherent in a closeted queer relationship.
The film's strength lies in its refusal to cast its characters as rebels or antagonists against society. Mammooty’s Mathew Devassy and the man he’s romantically involved with aren't portrayed as defiant forces; rather, emerge as integral members of a society in flux.
That being said, Mammootty's supposedly newfound experimentality as evidenced with his recent involvement with Netflix’s Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and now with Kaathal, shouldn’t be glorified to the levels of the actor’s established apotheosis, rather, it’s a progressive step forward in the right direction that should be commended and emulated.
Kaathal communicates that individuals are products of their times and Baby adeptly manoeuvres through the delicate terrain of societal acceptance, presenting a story that challenges preconceived notions about sexual orientation.
Baby’s vision is an exercise in subtlety, eschewing the temptation to deliver moralising sermons or vilify traditional values. Kaathal becomes a mirror reflecting the unsurprising conservatism that percolates even the woke-toting ranks of supposedly forward-thinking apparatchiks, offering an unseeming invitation to reconsider and broaden one's perspective.
Jyothika's Omana, emerges as a linchpin in dissecting the intricate layers of a stifling, two-decade-long, sexless marriage overshadowed by the revelation of her husband’s sexuality. With a seemingly unflappable demeanour, Omana plans an exposé against the shackles of her sexless existence.
Her carefully chosen Bible verses and subtle refrains serve as veiled protests, eloquently expressing the silent rebellion against the life she has been compelled to lead.
Jyothika's performance reaches a superb crescendo during the courtroom scene, where her character grapples with the frustrating complexities of her relationship with Mathew.
The courtroom becomes a battleground of societal expectations and Omana’s handbag becomes a telling symbol of the emotional turmoil she endures, encapsulating the twenty years spent living a facade of marital normalcy and later emasculating the very person she wishes to be emancipated from.
In the age of modern cinema, a 72-year-old legend is consistently reinventing himself as an actor, and with each movie, he is striving to break new ground in Malayalam cinema.
His name is Mammootty, who plays a gay man in #Kaathal. One of the best Malayalam movies of 2023. pic.twitter.com/XsoFBewpTa
The film invites audiences to expand their cognitive horizons, to lend an ear to the protagonist's contemplations, and to empathise with the weight he carries. Yet, to relegate the story to a mere conduit for social commentary is rather reductive and takes away from the fact that the film left us all in a teary-eyed mess by the time the credits rolled.
In a year marked by outstanding achievements at the Indian box office, the film stands as a remarkable little beacon, illuminating the potential of cinema to provoke, challenge, and ultimately, inspire change. Kaathal serves as a catalyst for personal growth, compelling viewers to aspire to higher levels of humanity.
Mammooty and Jyothika elevate Jeo Baby’s Kaathal to one of the most important films of 2023
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01.12.2023
Jeo Baby's transformative journey into the heart of human relationships unfolds with unparalleled grace in his revolutionary queer narrative, Kaathal, making it one of the finest standouts in the year’s cinescape.
The title serves as a fitting prelude to the heart of the film (pun intended). It skillfully unravels the layers of a seemingly loveless marriage, exposing the intricacies at its core - the revelation of one partner's sexual orientation.
Unlike the drab conventions of queer cinema that often inevitably succumb to sensationalist pity-scrounging, Jeo Baby's directorial acumen seeps through the film's deliberate avoidance of melodramatic stereotypes.
Kaathal doesn't hasten to its pivotal moment; instead, it patiently navigates the mundane intricacies of two lives, delicately weaving a tapestry of emotions before gently converging into a poignant close.
Each character interaction in the film orbits this nucleus with a precision that underscores the filmmakers' commitment to stay true to their moving storytelling.
At the crux of this achievement lies the prowess of lead actors Mammootty and Jyotika, whose portrayal of Mathew and Omana elicits a profound sense of understanding and empathy.
Though........
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