Myskkin’s films are what one would call an acquired taste. It may not be necessary, but it certainly helps if you have had a certain amount of exposure to his films for the experience to be more enjoyable. The same is the case with Thupparivaalan .
A detective story set in Mysskin’s peculiar little universe, we are introduced to the hero, detective Kaniyan Pungundran (Vishal in his career best) after we are shown two separate deaths. In his introduction, we have to allow Kaniyan the liberty to shout something as corny as ‘someone give me an interesting case to solve!’ as he paces around his house. He’s an eccentric who has never made eye contact in his life.
- Director: Mysskin
- Cast: Vishal, Prasanna, Anu Emmanuel
- Storyline: A detective takes up a small case which him to bigger things
For him, the mystery of a case is far more alluring that any amount of money. When a businessman offers him a blank cheque to find his missing daughter, Kaniyan refuses, fearing how she would be treated once she returns. But when a little boy approaches him with his pocket money to find the guy who killed his pet Pomeranian, Kaniyan jumps on the case.
From here on, the film plays catch-me-if-you-can with the audience. Every little thing needs to be noticed, every small character needs to be remembered — it is a miracle how the director manages to tie together at least a dozen loose ends. It is also a miracle how he continues to make us empathise with such other-worldly characters. Trust Myskkin to make us feel for a pickpocket!
Yet, all that pales in comparison to his expert treatment of the film’s three action scenes. Each distinct and electrifying, these sequences are elevated to a point where they are as graceful as a dance performance; the film’s climax, set in the mangroves, is easily the best I’ve seen in a long time.
After the disastrous ‘Mugamoodi’, ‘Thupparivaalan’ was always going to be Mysskin’s trial-by-fire in the world of big budget commercial cinema. With ‘Thupparivaalan’, Myskkin has opened up his universe to the common man, reminding us that there’s nothing as pleasurable as seeing someone sneak a bit of art into entertainment cinema.
Mysskin’s brilliance is a mystery no more.
Published - September 14, 2017 07:55 pm IST
