Making a film with a spirit as one of the leads is fraught with risks. For, it is always a challenge as to where to draw the line at separating the make-believe and the real. But in Vismayathumbathu, director Fazil has managed to pull it off thanks in the main to the whole-hearted performance of Mohanlal and Nayantra.
Sreekumar (Mohanlal) is endowed with the quality to see spirits and imps. When he comes to the city, the house his friends Govindan Kutty (Mukesh) and Chandran (Harisree Asokan) find for him houses a spirit. Mohanlal after some mirthful-moments with his friends finds out that the spirit belongs to that of Reena Mathews (Nayantra). She turns out to be a medical student, whom everyone is searching for.
How did she go missing, and what happened to her forms the rest of the story. It is funny. It is serious. It is interesting.
Fazil, who is also in charge of dialogues and story (he is also the producer), keeps the momentum going with some adroit handling. He doesn't allow the tempo to sag and also ensures that the super natural bit does not go out of hand. He makes it seem plausible and acceptable.
Of course, Mohanlal's easy and imposing presence gives the film the right back up. As the intuitive Sreekumar, he is positively brilliant with his nuanced artistry. Mukesh and Harishree provide understanding support.But the revelation of the film is Nayantra. Her acting oozes poise and panache. As traumatized Reena Mathews she brings to her character an acceptable fragility.
Ouseppachan's music is easy on the ears.
On the whole, the film is of spirits, and is spirited too.
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