When an artistic or a literary creation outlives its own time and space it evolves into a classic. That's how ace litterateur M T Vasudevan Nair's works transcend generations to capture the same interest and curiosity of literary connoisseurs now as in the past. The cinematic excavation of a few of his selected stories, 'Manorathangal,' is a kaleidoscopic view of his literary world.
Each segment, with an introduction by veteran actor Kamal Haasan in carefully curated Malayalam, tells different stories set in a distinct premise and backdrop. Sherlock, the segment directed by Mahesh Narayanan and starring Nadhiya Moidu and Fahadh Faasil in lead roles, is a medium-paced narrative set in a winter-clad American town. It displays a perfect mix of powerful writing, cinematic depiction and meticulous performance.
While Fahadh Faasil excels as a youth who sheds his past and moves to his sister's place in America to begin life anew, Nadhiya Moidu plays a perfect Malayali expat in America who has cast off her native tastes yet keeps her homely thoughts alive. Fahadh exhibits his next level of maturity in the profession he is in and treads the line with exceptional poise. His gestures, glances, mannerisms and emotions meld well with the intrigue of the plot.
What is most striking in the movie is the depiction of the modern lifestyle, which is not far from the present-day materialistic ambiance, except for the old generation prototype computer and the absence of smartphones. The cat, which plays a major role in the story, may sometimes put you in doubt for being too human in nature, but eventually dispels all sorts of misconceptions. The story may not have loud explosive outburts or dramatic moments but has a strong emotional undercurrent that flows and ebbs like a blast of beeze during a ride on a wintry morning.
