Ramante Edanthottam Review - Soulful and Charming Relationship Tale

PUBLISHED DATE : 22/May/2017

Ramante Edanthottam Review - Soulful and Charming Relationship Tale

Ramante Edanthottam Review - Soulful and Charming Relationship Tale

Sethumadhavan


A few minutes into Ranjith Sankar’s Ramante Edanthottam we find Elvis (Joju George) playing a game of badminton with a friend, post which he goes on to have a few drinks as well. He says that this is his daily routine, badminton helping him in losing the calories that he gains by drinking etc. He also goes on to reveal to his friend about his weakness for women and also mentions that he is content with his married life, managing to balance his wife as well as his dalliances with other women. In a response to this when his friend asks him as to how would Elvis react in case his wife followed the same principle, Elvis replies by saying that he is not someone with double standards and would be more than happy to see his wife indulge in a similar fashion as well. In a fantastic display of character building, Ranjith Sankar introduces us in a brilliant fashion to Elvis and the reason why I mention about this introduction of the character is because of the way he also shows the contrast to the character a couple of scenes later.


Ramante Edanthottam marks the first time that Ranjith Sankar has collaborated with Kunchacko Boban and the film is yet again something very different from whatever Ranjith has attempted in the past. A quick look back at the writer-director-producer’s filmography would show us that he is someone who is keen to try out a variety of subjects across various genres, the films by themselves may not be trailblazers but seldom do they end up disappointing. What is also a hallmark of Ranjith Sankar’s films are the characters being true to life and quite believable. The promos and the posters of Ramante Edanthottam did not reveal much about the film except the fact that the film has been shot in some lovely locations and that it would have a strong female protagonist as well in the form of Malini (Anu Sithara). In a way it is nice to keep an open mind while going out to watch a film like this, it not only helps in keeping the expectations in check, but it also makes one look forward to the proceedings as they unfold on screen.


Malini lives with her husband Elvis and daughter and leads a stifled existence of sorts. A dancer who had her own ambitions, she had to give it all up post her wedding and remain a housewife while she sees Elvis, a film producer going through a tough phase as he keeps churning out flops and loses himself more to alcohol and the company of other women. Salim (Sreejith Ravi) a real estate honcho and his wife Nazmi (Muthumani) are friends of Elvis and Malini and they end up making a family trip together to a resort situated in the midst of a forest which is run by Raman (Kunchacko Boban). Slowly but surely Raman and Malini get to know each other and Raman goes on to encourage her to follow her passion and take things in her stride. What happens from thereon in the lives of Malini, Elvis and Raman is what we get to understand from the rest of the film.


It doesn’t take much time for us to realize that the film is basically about Malini and the way her life pans out. That’s not to say that Ram and Elvis have little or no relevance, it’s just that Malini is the central pivot around whom the tale revolves. This could have easily been a story that moved along conventional lines and left you disappointed, but that’s where the writing by Ranjith Sankar makes the difference. Ramante Edanthottam gives a whole new perspective to how one can be in a platonic relationship with someone without hurting or taking an advantage of the other person. It also shows us how nothing much has changed in the urban, educated society in Kerala where even today by and large a man tends to look down upon his partner of the opposite sex for various reasons.


But Ranjith does this without any detailed exposition and there is thankfully no attempt at moral policing. Madhu Neelakantan’s cinematography makes brilliant use of the natural beauty of the locations and literally transports the viewer to Raman’s edanthottam. Strangely there are a few jump cuts visible which gives a forced feel of sorts to the change of scenes, I’m not sure though if it was a deliberate attempt by editor V.Sajan. Ramesh Pisharody as Varmaji and Aju Varghese as Shatrughnan provide the humour, though it is the former who has a better role over here. Sreejith Ravi and Muthumani are effective while Joju George plays the male chavunist Elvis with great panache. Kunchacko Boban continues his good work after Take Off, once again allowing the heroine to take center stage. Anu Sithara portrays Malini with conviction, conveying a lot with her eyes and managing to hold on her own against her senior counterparts.


Ramante Edanthottam is an engrossing tale that brings in a refreshing new look at a mature relationship. Ranjith Sankar keeps the proceedings simple yet engaging, making it a pleasant watch.

 

Bottomline:


Ranjith Sankar’s Ramante Edanthottam is a charming and soulful relationship tale that may not be a game changer but it is definitely a good addition to his already impressive body of work.

 

Rating: 3/5


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