Angamaly Diaries is a cauldron of activity from the word go, peppered with enough action and sweetened a little with love, while it takes viewers on a ride through this eponymous town of Kochi. At the end of it, the many characters linger, thanks to terrific acting by a bunch of freshers. Director Lijo Pellissery, who is known for his experiments, scribbles his signature again with candid storytelling that is real and raw.
With a focus on pig farming, an intrinsic part of Angamaly, this diary is pivoted around the life of Vincent Pepe (Anthony Verghese) and his Palliangadi team of hot-headed young men, who on the slightest pretext flex their muscles.
Pepe and his team are proud of the fact that despite all their activities they have never been to a police station. But not for long. One incident makes Pepe the prime accused. Can he now escape the policeman’s handcuffs?
Actor Chemban Vinod Jose, known for his versatile roles and a native of Angamaly, has written the screenplay. The gripping flow of events and neatly sketched characters (quite a few, actually, and no mean task) holds the narrative high. Angamaly Diaries umpteen characters are not easily forgotten, each with its quirkiness brought alive by the insane performance of the entire cast. How do you pick just one? Tough question.
And, in between the violence and pulling out of knives, placed gently are romantic moments. If the men of Angamaly are brazen and rash, the women leave an endearing image — Seema, Pepe’s first love, Alice his next and Linchi.
So does Pepe’s sister, who in the brief space she occupies sits snug in the tale. They are women with minds of their own and their heart in the right places.
Comic moments stand out with humour told in the most bizarre of situations — such as at a condolence ceremony where people struggle to push a dead body inside a casket into a van.
Little details bring out the flavours of life — such as the wedding scene where the bride’s veil is caught in her earrings.
The icing on the cake is the climax scene filmed in a one eleven minute shot. I tip my hat to cinematographer Gireesh Gangadharan.
Prashanth Pillai’s music is already making waves, especially the Do Naina montage song. Angamaly Diaries is one film to watch with your buddies.
Don’t miss it!
Angamaly Diaries is currently showing in the UAE.
