Minnal Murali: A Superhero Misfire With Missed Potential
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has increasingly captivated Indian audiences, the country’s own film industries have largely ignored the superhero genre. Minnal Murali marks a rare exception, presenting the first superhero venture for the Malayalam film industry and Netflix in India. However, despite its novelty, Minnal Murali stumbles by trying to juggle too many subplots, resulting in a bloated and ultimately underwhelming experience.
A Superhero Origin Story with a Touch of Overwhelm
Minnal Murali, directed by Basil Joseph and written by Arun Anirudhan and Justin Mathew, is ostensibly a superhero origin story. The film throws us into the world of Jaison, an ordinary tailor who dreams of a better life beyond his rural village, and Shibu, a marginalized tea shop worker yearning for recognition. Their seemingly mundane lives intersect with an unexpected event – a lightning strike that grants both men extraordinary abilities, transforming them into contrasting superhero and supervillain counterparts.
This superhero transformation, however, gets overshadowed by a plethora of subplots that meander across various social issues. The film aims to comment on xenophobia, casteism, and religious strife, but these themes often feel half-baked and detract from the central narrative. For a film clocking in at a hefty 158 minutes, the story struggles to find its footing, with numerous flashbacks and lengthy dialogues diluting the impact of the core plot.
Flawed Characterization and Missed Opportunities
While the film attempts to explore the emotional journeys of its protagonists, it falters in its character development. Jaison’s quest for a better future becomes a monotonous exploration of his dreams, while Shibu’s internal turmoil, rooted in his desire for Usha’s affection, remains largely unexplored. Instead of portraying him as a complex character, the film reduces him to a one-dimensional antagonist driven by a misguided love.
The supporting characters, ranging from Saajan, the village sheriff, to Biji, the martial arts instructor, all suffer from similar shortcomings. They are introduced as potential catalysts for the main storyline but fail to make a significant impact. The film’s attempt to inject humor through forced goofiness and cheesy jokes further diminishes the characters’ depth, leaving them feeling one-dimensional and stereotypical.
A Superhero Movie That Misses the Mark
Minnal Murali presents a fascinating premise, exploring the potential impact of extraordinary power on ordinary individuals. The film’s exploration of social issues could have provided a powerful and thought-provoking commentary, but it ultimately falls short due to its overblown script and underdeveloped characters.
Despite the missed opportunities, the film does showcase some bright spots. The cinematography, lensed by Sameera Thahir, delivers some visually stunning moments, particularly during the action sequences and the superhero transformations. However, these glimpses of visual brilliance are fleeting and fail to redeem the film’s overall shortcomings.
A Missed Opportunity for Indian Superheroes
Minnal Murali, despite its flaws, holds potential as a sign of the growing presence of the superhero genre in Indian cinema. However, its missteps highlight the need for more nuanced storytelling, engaging character development, and better pacing. The film serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that simply throwing in superpowers and social commentary doesn’t automatically guarantee a compelling superhero film.
Ultimately, Minnal Murali falls short of its aspirations, leaving both the audience and the superhero genre in India with a sense of disappointment. While there is a demand for local superheroes, Minnal Murali’s misfire suggests that the journey to crafting compelling and impactful stories in this genre is far from over.
