Basil Joseph's 'Maranamass' is fun despite the chaos | Movie Review

Most films on serial killers often take the dark route. But in 'Maranamass', directed by debutant Shivaprasad and headlined by Basil Joseph, there is no space for such fear even when an entire village knows that a serial killer is out on the loose. Instead, the makers weave in trunk loads of confusion and chaos, giving you a story that has plenty to laugh about. 

The film introduces you to the serial killer but the mood shifts as soon as the other characters arrive in the scene. The bus Veena Poovu driven by Jikku (Suuesh Krishna) also serves as a character in the movie and plays an integral role in driving the narrative. 

Basil Joseph's recent outings, like 'Ponman' and 'Praavinkoodu Shaapu', delighted audiences with his grounded approach to men battered by reality. In 'Maranamass', he comes out of his comfort zone and plays the Sigma male, who is unafraid of society and holds his own, thus making him a clear suspect whenever things go wrong.

The film, despite its quirkiness, does not forget the basic emotions of love and attachment that are weaved in at the most unexpected moments. This delivers the film a balance, though it tends to slow down the pace of the film. Even when 'Maranamass' tends to go overboard at times with absurdity in the situations, the makers ensure it never lets the reins go, as these scenes are integral to carrying the story forward.

There are certain risks involved in developing the humour, which may sound good on paper, to the big screen, but the writers ensure the jokes don't fall apart. This is partly possible because of the chemistry between the actors.

Rajesh Madhavan, who made his presence felt in 'Nna Thaan Case Kodu' is remarkable in the film. His character is a far cry from his previous slapstick roles and he pulls off his character with conviction. Romancham-fame Siju Sunny, who wrote the film along with Shivaprasad, also plays a pivotal role in the movie along with Anishma Anilkumar, Suresh Krishna and Puliyanam Poulose, who are equally good at driving the narrative forward.

The music by JK elevates the emotional moments in the movie. Overall, 'Maranamass' stays true to what it promised through its trailer - a quirky, chaotic film that can keep you engaged till the end.