IYOBINTE PUSTHAKAM MOVIE REVIEW

Director Amal Neerad's Iyobinte Pusthakam is about the pre-independence years' political uprising that happens in the hills of Munnar. The rebellion though, is not against the foreigners, but the new class that had taken over from the foreigners - 'the local foreigners'. Iyob and his family constitute 'the local foreigners' - capitalists who have adopted the British way of life.

 

Told in a third person narrative, the first few minutes set up Iyob's rise to become the British's most trusted man, and his taking over of the hills as the undisputed master of the region, when situations force the Britishers out. Then, it takes us through the bloody affair that ensued, until the first democratically elected communist government of the world assumed office in the state.

 

In the heart of the story is Iyob's three sons - Dmitri, Ivan and Aloshi. While Dmitri and Ivan are ruffians like their father, Aloshi, because of his naval upbringing, is a man of values. The script is set in such a way that the struggle between the brothers roll out in parallel to the outward working class' struggle against the capitalists. 

 

The personal motives of the movie's chief players are what drives the movie. Every lead character's life is connected to Iyob's chair - a symbol of omnipotence - from which the first British landlord wielded his authority. For some it's the privation to take a place next to the chair - an indication of being a royal beneficiary, while for others it's the want to occupy the throne, itself. But, in the end, the one who forfeited it, and chose love over power, is the one who survives the war.

 

As the movie is majorly dialogue-less, it depends heavily on its artists to carry it on their shoulders. The brothers Dmitri (Chemban Vinod), Ivan (Jinu Joseph), and Aloshi (Fahadh Faasil) share the maximum screen-time, and they deliver neat performances. The real showstopper, however, is Jayasurya as Angoor Rauther - his act does send a chill down the spine. Padmapriya also makes a mark as the confined-within-the-four-walls wife with her own personal agenda.

 

Director - Cinematographer - Producer Amal Neerad has given yet another brilliant work. With the exception of that one romantic number, featuring Fahadh Faasil and Isha Sharvani, which's a major speed breaker, everything is taut and packaged well. His color tones and framing has shown Munnar in all its glory. Music by Neha S Nair & Yakzan Gary Pereira was another highlight as it did elevate the scenes.

 

In a nutshell, the visually striking Iyobinte Pusthakam keeps you in the edge of your seats till the very end.