PATHEMARI MOVIE REVIEW

We've all heard the ubiquitous set of jokes surrounding the Malayali's relationship with the Middle East. But far away from the jokes and the stereotypes, there often lies a story of hardship and sacrifice.

 

Pathemari is an interesting watch that tells you an already familiar story, but in a way that makes you sit up and realize that more often than not, the life of those we know living in the Middle East is not that cozy and comfortable as we often assume it to be. Or at least it was not for those who moved there before it became the buzzing urban centre it is today. 

A tribute to the hordes of Malayalis who leave home to go work in the Middle East to bring a better life to their families, Pathemari narrates the story of Narayanan (Mammootty) who travels to Dubai as a teenager and spends a major part of his life away from his parents, siblings, wife and children.

 

As far as the narration goes, the film takes you through familiar territory, like what we have seen in films like Arabikkatha, but let's just say that Pathemari is highly laced with empathy. At the end of the film, you can't help feel empathetic about the suffering and chronic homesickness that every Gulf Malayali or any expatriate would be going through for that matter.

 

Mammootty, as Narayanan, has delivered an impressive performance. You would really feel for this character who is caught between his own wishes and the needs of his family. Jewel Mary, as Narayanan's wife, has given a subtle yet strong touch to her character. One performance to watch out for is Siddique, who, despite very little screen time, has the most powerful lines and moments in the film.

 

The director, Salim Ahamed, has narrated this story with a pace and style that is now familiar to us through his last two films Adaminte Makan Abu and Kunjanandante Kada. To note are some one-liners that subtly pass through the scene, but says more than entire scenes put together. Madhu Ambat's camera holds you down from the opening shot. The opening credits of the film show you Dubai in a way you've probably never seen the Emirate before. Resul Pookutty's sound shows through, especially the portions where the sea is involved. Bijibal's score is beautiful and unobtrusive. It serves as the right backing for the manner in which the story has been told. Vijay Shankar's editing is seamless as it takes you to and fro from Kerala in the 60s and forward to the present day.