PAVADA MOVIE REVIEW

Pavada takes on the issue of alcoholism straight on even as it seeks to entertain. It is also about the unlikely bond between two friends, both of them alcoholics. The friends are played by Prithviraj and Anoop Menon and both of them are dependent on alcohol. Anoop plays a slightly older professor and Prithviraj is the younger guy, who is more spirited of the two.

 

The dialogue in the film is colloquial with broken English liberally sprinkled all over it. The titular role is essayed by Anoop and Pavada (skirt) may mean a psychological perspective.

 

G Marthadan is fast acquiring the name that he is very good. His previous films such as the Mamooty-starrer Daiwanthinte Swantham Cleetus, with which he debuted in Malayalam cinema, were well-noticed. It is clear in Pavada that he understands his subject very well. This movie is also a peek into familiar problem of alcoholism, which is plaguing Kerala for decades.

 

Pavada Babu is a professor of English given to eloquent speeches about Shakespeare and indulging in spiteful barroom fights.‘Pambu’ Joy is a odd job man who is blessed with a wife who loves him despite his drinking problem. What happens when they becomes friends forms the rest of the story.

 

Maniyanpillai Raju and Nedumudi Venu play supporting role and it is heartening to see Venu playing to his strengths.

 

The camerawork by Pradeep Nair is understated and poignant. I especially loved the lighting on Anoop George’s face as they turn into co-conspirators over drinking piss. The justification is that a former PM of India did the same. However, no one laughed in the theatre as it is clear that the director is getting at serious things as well.