Kumbalangi Nights – A Review

Credits

Direction	Madhu C. Narayanan
Production House	Fahadh Faasil and Friends Working Class Hero Fahadh Faasil Nazriya Nazim Dileesh Pothan Syam Pushkaran
Story	Syam Pushkaran
Music	Sushin Shyam
Cinematography	Shyju Khalid
Editing	Saiju Sreedharan
Starring	Shane Nigam as Bobby Anna Ben as Baby Mol Soubin Shahir as Saji Sreenath Bhasi as Bonny Mathew Thomas as Frankie Fahadh Faasil as Shammi Grace Antony as Simmy Ramesh Thilak as Murugan aka Vijay Jasmine Metivier as Nyla Riya Saira as Sumeesha Sheela Rajkumar as Sathi

Synopsis
It is the tale of four brothers (Saji, Bonny, Bobby & Frankie) living in the island village of Kumbalangi. This is the place where kittens are left to die and the lovely green land ruined by the people turning it to a wasteland for human excreta. The brothers live in the dilapidated house, with only cactus growing in its yard.

The movie begins with Frankie, the youngest, returning to this house from the boarding school. There is no woman in the house and Frankie tries to bring this house to a shape – he casts the net to fish and makes fish curry for the brothers and does laundry, while the older siblings quarrel.

With Bobby falling in love with Baby Mol, the sister-in-law of Shammi, a narcissist, declaring himself the “Complete Man” for he runs a hair salon, the story is set into motion. The tragedy at the intermission pushes the story forward, with the aimless brothers trying to turn a new leaf, discovering their potential and mending their ways.

Underlying Themes
Masculinity and the “Complete Man”
Who is a Complete Man? Is he the one that looks good and has a job? Is he the one that protects / takes care of a woman? The one who is responsible for their honour? Does a woman even want this protection? Or, does masculinity mean having a streak of violence?

This is a theme that is constantly challenged in this movie. The director beautifully deconstructs this myth about machismo and patriarchy through the various male characters. The way the vulnerability of each of these men is highlighted is stupendous. And, men too are allowed to be fragile.

Kumbalangi Nights not only questions and challenges staunch patriarchy, but also, identifies it as a sickness that needs to be curtailed and cured.

Femininity
Women in Kumbalangi Nights are not portrayed as weak or in need of a man to protect them. They are not elevated to the status of Godesses. They stand-up and raise their concerns and take matters to their own hands when required. They are not mere toys in the hands of men and make their presence felt throughout the movie.

Simmy who is meek and afraid of Shammi, stands up for herself at a point where Shammi crosses his boundary. Baby’s character is portrayed as strong right from the beginning as she is not afraid to pursue her love interest.

Sathi, makes a practical viable choice of not filing an FIR against the person that was the reason for her husband’s death, knowing that her future and that of her child is on the line.

The mother of the four brothers is shown to have left them to pursue divinity and service. Even when the brothers call her at one point in the move, she refuses to return to the house. It is her choice and it s not judged.

Family
What is a family? Is it just made of parents and children? As dysfunctional as it might seem, there is an underlying love that permeates through the scenes with the brothers. The way the characters of Sathi and her child, living in the same household with the brothers and that of the African American woman Nyla who comes in with Bonny are welcomed shows that family is what we make – a personal choice.

Family can be formed with anyone; with strangers and people that might walk into our lives – as long there is the mutual love and respect for one another, and that is they key.

Kumbalangi
The fishing island of Kumbalangi is the most important character. The way Shyju (cinematographer) has captured the lush green surrounding and the backwaters is a treat to the eyes. The movie talks about eco-tourism and showcases the beauty of the land.

Kumbalangi is the essence of this piece. The transformation of brawls at night into a self-realization and mended ways, going in the direction of happiness (which was missing at the beginning, even though there was ample freedom) is the highlight.

Acting
Each character in Kumbalangi Nights is well etched. They will haunt the viewers for a few days and will be remembered fondly for quite a long time.

If Shammi was awesome in a grey character with a streak of violence, Saji has a lot of warmth and pathos thrown in. The transformation that Bobby shows from being the guy that doesn’t want to work initially and how he discovers what he would like to do (when he grows up) once he falls in love with Baby is amazing. Bonny, the mute is so expressive – he talks through his eyes in this movie. The youngest of the lot, Frankie brings his own charm and innocence to the character.

The female characters of the mother and the two sisters show fragility, fear and strength all at once. Amazing to watch such fluidity in these artistes.

Overall it is a satisfying experience to see these characters live their lives in Kumbalangi Nights

Music
Music by Sushin is very apt. The songs just gel with the narrative and enhance the backdrop. BGM is amazing – the way it changes to a violent, yet calm tune when the character of Shammi questions Simmy, will send some chills down the spine.

My Rating
4.75 / 5

Don’t miss this movie for it brings in a breath of fresh air into the otherwise mundane tales that are churned out.