Manjummel Boys review: Fascinating and delightful rollercoaster of thrills and friendship

Malayalam film 'Manjummel Boys' mixes excitement with heart, celebrating friendship in a bewildering story that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Going in as a blank slate for any movie can make it hit you harder. When you don’t know what to expect, the incoming disappointment or joy is felt more impactfully. That's exactly what happened when I watched the Malayalam film ‘Manjummel Boys’. Not knowing anything about it beforehand made every moment feel more intense. The film opened up like a treasure chest filled with chaos, excitement, mystery, fear, and, most importantly, celebration. And when I found out it was based on a true story, the impact just doubled. Knowing that the emotions portrayed in the film, which seemed almost too intense to be true, were genuine, added another layer of authenticity. Plus, on top of its emotional impact, Manjummel Boys is a cinematic masterpiece. It's got everything you could ask for in a movie!

Manjummel Boys is proof that even a simple plot can be developed into an exhilarating movie. It follows a group of friends from Kerala on a trip to Kodaikanal. When one friend faces danger, the others come to his rescue. Though the plot is straightforward, friends helping friends, the film shines thanks to its superb direction, cinematography, sound, and acting.

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The film kicks off with celebratory chaos - the ‘Yuva’ friend group attends a wedding they were barely invited to, dancing like there's no tomorrow. Soon, they dive into a tug of war, ignoring the wedding completely. These boys are wild and carefree, civility eludes them. However, they also remind us what it means to be truly happy. The fun starts with their energy and a catchy rap song ‘Kuthanthram’ by Vedan, which touches upon Periyar and the caste system. The upbeat background music adds to the vibe, making it hard not to enjoy their antics. Adding humor to this delightful mayhem are the dialogues that are surprisingly hilarious at times. 

However, everything changes as life for these boys goes from carefree to haunting in a heartbeat. Few movies can shift between genres so swiftly and seamlessly as Manjummel Boys does. It effortlessly dances between fun and horror, leaving us captivated throughout. The film knows how to deliver a predictable twist in a manner that will haunt the audience. Credit isn't just due to the director and writer but also to all actors, especially Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Bhasi, who bring their characters to life. In a pivotal scene, without uttering a single word, the actors look at each other in disbelief, “Did this really happen?” The scene is so instrumental in setting the tone for what follows. It's these moments, executed with perfection by the talented cast, that truly elevate Manjummel Boys into a league of its own.

What happens next could've been predictable, but the filmmaker's mysterious touch keeps you guessing. The second half of the film really gets your heart racing. I couldn't help but gasp and even use some choice words when things took a turn. And I wasn't alone; everyone in the theater shared the rollercoaster of emotions, gasping, sighing, clapping, hooting, and crying together. The film's thrilling moments hit us all deeply; none of us were immune. Despite its seemingly cliché premise of a group of boys supporting each other, the film portrays it with genuine wholesomeness, enriched with symbolism. The characters' journeys are both heartbreaking and satisfying. The climax especially is so courageous and wholesome; when the film finally merges the song Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan with the story of the Manjummel Boys, it resembles an epiphany and leaves you in awe. It's a beautiful homage to the song and Kamal Hassan’s film ‘Guna,’ in which it originally appeared.

Despite its simplicity and hints of predictability, Manjummel Boys is an exhilarating breath of fresh air and a convincing testament to filmmaker Chidambaram's brilliance.