Setup in the similar backdrop of Mammootty’s last year’s Eid release Thappana, director G Marthandan’s debut venture is Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus is a disappointing film that fails to recreate the Christ in an interesting manner. Characters and situations planted very predictably, Benny P Nairambalam’s script offers more time for you to yawn than keeping you interested in the next scene.
Vadakkum thala theaters has the legacy of over 23 years and much like many other drama troops they were also facing a tough phase to raise fund for their new drama. As they struggle to find the fund, the priest of the village offers them a chance to do a bible related drama about the sufferings of Jesus. As they didn’t have anyone to portray the role of Jesus, the priest and the theater guys are on a hunt to get someone who can have that graceful look and can perform the role smartly. The movie essays the things that happen around the drama/ light and sound show with the arrival of the peculiar character Cleetus.
The character Cleetus is much similar to the characters played by Mammootty in Mayavi and Thappana (but less funny). He is that bad guy with goodness in somewhere in the corner of his heart. There is nothing so unpredictable about his character’s rough nature, even though the script tries to give a saint like buildup in the beginning. From the first time Cleetus looking at Lakshmi, we are all sure that there is a flashback to explain. Then the movie goes on to the quintessential heroisms that everyone expects to happen. With the main character having that negative image of a gunda, the plot gets that natural scope to create humor, but Benny P Nairambalam can’t really pull of something that can be said as hilarious. Many stranded subplots like the one with the DYSP are there to take Cleetus to that epitome of negativity. The only thing that will cheer you up a bit is the idea of presenting the sufferings of Jesus in a new way. But that also didn’t have any cinematic charm in terms of scripting and directing.
On screen, Mammootty’s stunning looks will impress you for sure. It’s not a complicated role for an actor of his caliber. Siddique and P Balachandran were good in their respective roles. Suraj was nice and Aju Varghese was half baked. Honey Rose and Rajith Menon weren’t that great. There are too many characters in the film like Kailash, Thesni Khan, Kottayam Naseer, Vinayakan, Abu Salim and many more.
G Marthandan’s direction fails to make an impression. It’s that outdated style of making which can’t excite the neutral viewer. As I said, the script hires too many plot elements from Thappana. The similarity is quite visible when you look at the way they have presented the relationship between Cleetus and Lakshmi. The dialogs are too dramatic and the occasional humor is really a mango shower. The edits were really poor and the cinematography was satisfactory. Liked the DI work as it gave the village an additional beauty. Art is fine and the music section was also good.
Overall, I couldn’t enjoy this ‘could have been better’ movie. For those who consider Thappana as an entertaining film, this movie will be definitely entertaining. My rating for Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus is 2/5. Thumbs are down for this resurrection act.
For those who consider Thappana as an entertaining film, this movie will be definitely entertaining.
Green: Recommended Content
Orange: The In-Between Ones
Red: Not Recommended
