Director : V.K Prakash
Producer : Anand Kumar
Story,Screen play,Dialogues & Lyrics : Anoop Menon
DOP : Jomon T John
Music : Ratheesh Vega
Editor : Mahesh Narayanan
Art Direction : Ajayan Mangad
Designs : Old Monk
Banner : Yes Cinema Company
Release Date : 2nd Dec 2011
Cast : Jayasurya,Anoop Menon,Meghna,Aparna Nair,Nandu,Tini Tom,Jayan And Others
Few films make Malayalis whole heartedly get up and give a standing ovation to a film these days.Malayalam film 'Beautiful' directed by V.K Prakash is one such film, and what makes the surprise even more pleasant is the fact that it comes in the wake of '3 Kings' which could be considered the director's worst film to date.’Beautiful’ is beautifully written by Anoop Menon with right balance and has shown exceptional skill in creating wonderful scenes and even better dialogue.Simply ‘Beautiful’ lives up to its name as we soak in the splender of a world that is extremely beautiful and this movie indeed a must watch.
Stephen Louis (Jayasurya) is a paraplegic millionaire who does not allow his physical limitations to undermine his state of mind and loves to live life positively finding beauty in every small thing while his relatives are after his life to get access to his enormous wealth.He spends most of his life on a wheel chair and knows that the people around him only care for his wealth but reckons that his wealth ensures that he has nothing to worry about.He does not ask for any sympathy and is content to enjoy the beauty of life in his own style.A chance encounter with a struggling artist John (Anoop Menon) in a restaurant draws Stephen to him.When Stephen Louis (Jayasurya) notices singer John(Anoop Menon) whose voice reminds him of his late friend,he makes an offer to John to be a friend for him and sing for him everyday,in retuurn for a fat paycheck every month.John needs money to finance his music album and sister’s education and he is willing to play the role of a singer-cum-friend but soon,they manage to cement a deep friendship.There enters a sensuous and seductive home nurse Anjali (Meghna) to take care of Stephen (Jayasurya).Their idyllic life goes on without ripples until the beautiful Anjali (Meghna) appears on the screen and there is tension in the air.’Beautiful’ tells the story of what happens later.
Anoop Menon is a brilliant writer he developed the beauty of friendship between two leading men and that is the backbone of the movie.Another master stroke by the writer is the constant referencing to the movies which Stephen keeps watching on television.He gives a fitting tribute to Johnson Mash through the ‘Thoovanathumbikal’ scene near the interval.V.K Prakash, the director done a fabolous job translating Anoop Menon’s fantastic script to the screen.He should easily be up there with the big directors after this movie.After the Amazing performance in ‘Cocktail’ Jayasurya is back with his wonderful performance as the paraplegic Stephen in beautiful.Meghna was the surprise package of the film , as the jock that is doing the rounds now, nobody noticed her face so far in films and it is the first time that people actually sat down and took notice of the girl’s talent.Great casting choice.Nandu, in an important role after ‘Thirakadha’, is brilliant.Tini Tom is really nice as Jyasurya’s overfriendly cousin.Jayan another brilliant actor also pitches in a great performance.The rock band including Venu,Aparna Nair,Medul and Deepak Nair (His Calicut accent was superb) are really good and a welcome change from the usual people seen in such roles.The rest of the cast do their bits quite well.This film is shot brilliantly by Jomon T John.The awesome cinematographer who debuted with ‘Chappa Kurishu’.Editor Mahesh Narayanan who keeps the film crisp,fine and simple.His skill is really visible in the song sequences and interrogation scene in the climax.Art director Ajayan Mangad has done up the different spaces in the movie really well.Ratheesh Vega’s music, especially the ‘Mizhineer Thullikal’ track became a sensation even before the movie’s release.Which is probably one of the best song of the year.
Born out of Jyasurya’s leg injury and an inspiration from a true incident in Anoop Menon’s childhood, this movie reinstates our belief in good cinema and keeps the new moment of this year alive.’Beautiful’ is yet another new generation Malayalam movie, continuing the trend of Traffic,Salt N’ Pepper and Chappa Kurishu- Movies that are creating a new grammer in Malayalam cinema.
Rating : 4/5