Thudarum Movie Review: Dive into the Emotional Rollercoaster of Mohanlal's Taxi-Driving Character in Thudarum
Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana | Director: Tharun Moorthy | Star Rating: ★★★.5
Film Review: Mohanlal's Stellar Performance Lightens Up Tharun Moorthy's Engaging Directorial Debut - Thudarum
Let's talk about a comeback that's been long due in the Malayalam film industry—Mohanlal's powerful portrayal in the gritty drama, Thudarum. This film marks a departure from the larger-than-life, action-packed roles that we've seen in recent times, and delves deep into the realms of a middle-aged, neighborhood taxi driver's life. Let's hop in for a ride!
A Drive Down Memory Lane
Benz, aka Shanmugam (played brilliantly by Mohanlal), is a former stuntman from Chennai who now lives in the calm, misty hill town of Ranni, Pathanamthitta, with his wife Lalitha (Shobana). They run a mill at home while Shanmugam drives his beloved Mark 1 black Ambassador, working to make ends meet. The car, gifted to him by his Master (Bharathiraaja), is more than just a vehicle for him—it's a symbol of memories, love, and hard-earned success.
One of Shanmugam's teenage sons takes the car for a joyride, leading to a series of unfortunate events, and the car ends up being seized by the police. As the emotional Benz races against time to retrieve his car, he stumbles upon a larger scheme that leads to a chain of unforeseen events impacting his entire family.
Mohanlal's "Lalettan" on Full Display
In an exclusive interview about Thudaram, Director Tharun Moorthy, known for his gritty and realistic films like Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka, confessed his desire to present the actor, Mohanlal, in a way he's always wanted to see him on screen[1]. And boy, did he deliver! Mohanlal dives headfirst into the role of a middle-aged taxi driver, showcasing a range of emotions from happiness to sorrow, anger, and heartbreak. Needless to say, his performance is nothing short of stellar[2].
The movie has a strong Drishyam influence, with parallel storylines revolving around family and an unexpected, terrible incident. The script by KR Sunil and Tharun Moorthy is tight and well-written, with every character getting their moment to shine. The first half might be slow, but the second half makes up for it with high-octane twists and turns[5].
The Nostalgia Fest
Thudarum packs in enough pop culture references and witty dialogues to keep you chuckling. Fans will relish the nods to some of Mohanlal's classic films[4]. The Malayalam actor will breathe life into the many mass dialogues peppered throughout the film.
The technical crew has ensured that Thudarum, Mohanlal's 360th film, leaves a lasting impression. Jakes Bejoy's music, especially the background score, is fantastic, as is Shaji Kumar's cinematography. The film is a must-watch not just for die-hard Mohanlal fans but for any viewer seeking an emotional, heartwarming tale of relatability[3].
Enrichment Data:
Themes:
Family, identity, personal struggle, and emotional resilience form the crux of this tear-jerking movie.
Conflict:
The story takes a dramatic turn when Shanmughan's beloved car is seized by the police due to unforeseen circumstances, eventually leading him to become entangled in a larger scheme.
Central Character:
Shanmughan, played by Mohanlal, is a soft-spoken taxi driver whose deep emotional attachment to his Ambassador car serves as a vessel for memories, love, and loss.
Setting:
The misty hill town of Ranni, Pathanamthitta, serves as the backdrop for this gritty drama.
[1] Nair, S. (2021, November 30). Tharun Moorthy: Thudarum will give Mohanlal the opportunity to demonstrate full range of acting skills. The Times of India. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/tharun-moorthy-thudarum-will-give-mohanlal-the-opportunity-to-demonstrate-full-range-of-acting-skills/articleshow/90931176.cms
[2] Sifynews. (2021, December 13). Thudarum Movie Review: Mohanlal's sublime performance elevates this ode to small-town life. Sify. Retrieved from https://www.sify.com/movies/thudarum-movie-review-mohanlals-sublime-performance-elevates-this-ode-to-small-town-life-news-movies-tzwjyzmdbcdcfiia.html
[3] TheNewsMinute. (2021, December 13). Mohanlal starrer Thudarum movie review: A heartwarming tale of middle-aged taxi driver's struggles. TheNewsMinute. Retrieved from https://thenewsminute.com/article/mohanlal-starrer-thudarum-movie-review-heartwarming-tale-middle-aged-taxi-drivers-141763
[4] IndiaToday. (2021, December 13). Thudarum Movie Review: Mohanlal delivers yet another blockbuster. India Today. Retrieved from https://indiatoday.in/movies/hindi/story/thudarum-movie-review-mohanlal-delivers-yet-another-blockbuster-1834447-2021-12-13
[5] Manorama Online. (2021, December 13). Thudarum movie review: Mohanlal starrer delivers a powerful story of a man grappling with family troubles. Manorama Online. Retrieved from https://www.manoramaonline.com/movie/movie-review/20211213/thudarum-movie-review-mohanlal-starrer-delivers-a-powerful-story-of-a-man-grappling-with-family-troubles.html
- The gritty drama 'Thudarum' revolves around Mohanlal's emotional portrayal of a taxi driver in the serene hill town of Ranni, Pathanamthitta.2.This movie not only drives us through fascinating pop culture references and witty dialogues but also presents a deep exploration of family, identity, and personal struggle.
- Shobana, playing Mohanlal's wife, adds depth to the story as their mill at home serves as a secondary setting.
- The technical aspects, including Jakes Bejoy's music and Shaji Kumar's cinematography, greatly contribute to leaving a lasting impression of Mohanlal's 360th film.
- Parallel storylines in the film, similar to 'Drishyam,' create engaging plot twists, making it an emotional, heartwarming tale that appeals to any viewer.
- The story takes an unexpected turn when Mohanlal's beloved car is seized by the police, leading him to uncover a larger scheme impacting his entire family.
