A great film maker who has a handle on his craft doesnt really need fancy equipment, unlimited budgets and top-draw stars to tell us a good story. Tharun Moorthy showcased that in "Operation Java (2021)" and Senna Hegde underlined the same in "Thinkazhcha Nishchayam (2021)" and now we have another name to add to that accomplished lexicon. Nithin Lukose and his gloriously minimalistic, poignantly engaging retelling of the Romeo-Juliet story in "Paka" is a bonafide masterpiece holding your attention for the entirety of its runtime with its spine-tingling narrative style and a clutch of superb performances.
The Illikkal and Vettikkal families take the place of the Montagues and Capulets in a rustic rural Wayanad setting, sworn enemies due to a bitter rivalry generations past. Basil Paulose shines as "Johny" the young scion of the Illikkal clan who abhors violence and his family's gruesome history but is haplessly in love with Anna (Vinitha Koshy) from the Vettikkal family. How the pair of star-crossed lovers move heaven and earth to be together amidst the furore thrown up by their alliance amidst a bunch of blood-thirsty relatives forms the rest of the story.
While we have seen similar storylines in the past like in "Godfather (1991)" and "Annayum Rasoolum (2013)", Lukose takes an altogether different approach with a characteristic disconnected, almost forlorn narrative style that is both disconcerting and too good to turn away from at the same time. Scenes that call for grotesque, gory violence are dealt with in an impressively minimalist fashion, with the actors' facial expressions accompanied with symbolism, excellent sound design and use of light communicating the fury and hatred much more than the actual bloodshed.
The team deserves immense praise for its casting, with Jose Kizhakkan an absolute standout as the ageing ex-convict patriarch "Kocheppu" of the Illikkal clan while Athul Johny as "Paachi" and Nithin George as "Joey" put in eye-catching shifts. Nithin Lukose's minimalism comes to the fore in his use of just a pair of hands and the voice to portray the ageing bedridden Illikkal family matriarch, a narrative device that would fall flat if not executed to perfection like he has. "Paka" is a towering example of how a filmmaker can make even the most cliched stories engaging using their own authentic and distinctive narrative styles and visual treatment, backed by a keen sense of casting the perfect actors all the while being constrained by a limited budget. Highly recommended. An absolute must watch!
The Illikkal and Vettikkal families take the place of the Montagues and Capulets in a rustic rural Wayanad setting, sworn enemies due to a bitter rivalry generations past. Basil Paulose shines as "Johny" the young scion of the Illikkal clan who abhors violence and his family's gruesome history but is haplessly in love with Anna (Vinitha Koshy) from the Vettikkal family. How the pair of star-crossed lovers move heaven and earth to be together amidst the furore thrown up by their alliance amidst a bunch of blood-thirsty relatives forms the rest of the story.
While we have seen similar storylines in the past like in "Godfather (1991)" and "Annayum Rasoolum (2013)", Lukose takes an altogether different approach with a characteristic disconnected, almost forlorn narrative style that is both disconcerting and too good to turn away from at the same time. Scenes that call for grotesque, gory violence are dealt with in an impressively minimalist fashion, with the actors' facial expressions accompanied with symbolism, excellent sound design and use of light communicating the fury and hatred much more than the actual bloodshed.
The team deserves immense praise for its casting, with Jose Kizhakkan an absolute standout as the ageing ex-convict patriarch "Kocheppu" of the Illikkal clan while Athul Johny as "Paachi" and Nithin George as "Joey" put in eye-catching shifts. Nithin Lukose's minimalism comes to the fore in his use of just a pair of hands and the voice to portray the ageing bedridden Illikkal family matriarch, a narrative device that would fall flat if not executed to perfection like he has. "Paka" is a towering example of how a filmmaker can make even the most cliched stories engaging using their own authentic and distinctive narrative styles and visual treatment, backed by a keen sense of casting the perfect actors all the while being constrained by a limited budget. Highly recommended. An absolute must watch!