‘Ajayante Random Motion’ (ARM) Movie Review: Tovino Thomas carries this visually impressive drama

A still from ‘Ajayante Random Motion (ARM)’

Debutant Jithin Lal has pedigree at its roots Ajayante Random Motion (ARM) It sticks with the film’s characters, some of whom carry it proudly while others try to escape the negativity associated with their ancestry. It’s a mixed bag for Ajay (Tovino Thomas) as his great-grandfather Kunjikelu was a warrior of repute but his grandfather Manian was branded a thief in their village, a shame that would soon follow him in the garb of his caste there as well. on his sleeve.

Screenwriter Sujit Nambiar combines folklore with fantasy elements to this real-world story. All the fantasy is built around an elaborate lamp, made of precious metal from a meteorite crash, which is believed to have magical powers to bring prosperity to all that is. Ajay’s two ancestors (all played by Tovino) and his own fate in the present are inextricably intertwined with Pradeep’s.

In this well-planned premise rich in folklore, Lal has plenty of material for world-building and he uses it to good effect, winding through the history of brave ancestors and settling in the present, where Ajay is just an ordinary electrician, with his girlfriend Lakshmi (Kriti Shetty). Operating a ham radio at home to secretly communicate with. These early stages work well, as one can sense the convergence of a compelling narrative with substantial payoff later on.

A well-written sequence in this episode takes place when the police enter Ajay’s home while he is teaching the children their constitutional rights, and his mother’s expression of despair leads to a scene from the past, which informs the present. For a good part the film manages to maintain a balance between elements of reality and fantasy, giving even some of the fanciful situations a believable quality. But, somewhere in the middle, the plot starts to falter as the author fails to lay the groundwork and chooses to travel down familiar paths. Although there was an attempt to bring in an interesting subtext about monarchy and democracy, the characters clearly stated that somehow the effect was diminished.

Jomon T. John’s striking visuals complement the visual effects well in delivering some stunning sequences, all the more remarkable considering the film’s relatively small budget, a fraction of some “pan-India” projects. Some of the imagery leaves one wishing for more, but for the genre the movie is in, there is no shortage of set pieces that will leave one in awe.

Tovino Thomas carries the film, bringing out the distinct gestures and characteristics of the three characters in different timelines. He puts in the kind of effort, especially in the character of Maniyan, that elevates the film from the level of a mere costume drama. Kriti Shetty doesn’t have many roles to play, but Surbhi Lakshmi, as Maniyan’s wife Manikyam, leaves an impression in the brief role she gets. In fact, most of the characters seem underdeveloped, except perhaps Basil Joseph’s friend character.

Despite an underwhelming script, Jithin Lal hints at his craft with a visually impressive play. And yes, the picture is by Tovino.

Ajayante Randam Moshanam (ARM) is currently playing in theatres