Chinatown – Movie Review

Yet another feather to the crown of director–writer duo Rafi Mecartin. Chinatown is a much-awaited multi-starrer movie of the year which has Universal star Mohanlal, Jayaram and Dileep in the leads. After the success of 'Hallo' in 2007, Rafi Mecartin's team is back with a bang. The highlight of the movie is Mohanlal handling double roles.

The movie takes us back to the 1980s in Goa where Xavier (Mohanlal), with his close three friends successfully, runs a Casino with their happy family. The other 3 friends are Shanker, Shanavas (veteran actor Prem Nazir's son) and Dipu Karunakaran. Nightmare happens when dreaded don Gowda (Pradeep Rawat) murders the three friends including Mohanlal. Pradeep Rawat has made a successful entry to the Malayalam cinema by opposing the biggest stars of Malayalam. Gomez, one among the four friends, who survives the tragedy later becomes a hindrance for Gowda's drug & mafia business. Gowda wants to be the don of Chinatown – the golden land of Goa for Casinos, gambling and drug mafia. The three sons of the first generation parted in different ways.The movie starts from here.

Gomez (Captain Raju), after a long time traces the parted sons of his old friends and decides to handover his business in Goa to them. The parted sons are Mathukutty (Mohanlal), Zackaria (Jayaram) and Binoy (Dileep). Mathukutty, son of Xavier is a well known rowdy in his village and Kavya Madhavan (Rose Mary) tries to change him from these activities. Jayaram leads another prominent character as Zackaria whose weakness is money and he will do any fraud job to make money. Dileep looks charming with his new trimmed beard look. He plays as Binoy who is a romeo in life, tries to find love with every girl he meets in life and when it fails, plans to create trouble to them and unfortunately to himself also.

Suraj Venjaramoodu supports the comedy punch of the film, who plays the role of a fraud goon leader with his 'Rajeeswari Gunda Team'. Totally the movie is a comedy packed with a triangle love story. Poonam Bajwa, as Emily, daughter of Gomez (Cap. Raju) accidentally enters the life of Mathukutty, while Rose Mary always wants to be with him. New face of the film is Dipasha, Binoy's (Dileep) love interest in the film. Poonam Bajwa & Dipasha debuts in Malayalam cinema through Chinatown. The second half of the movie goes to another twist where the heroes get into an aim, a situation of life or death. Jagathy Sreekumar has made a special appearance. The film looses its grip in the climax. But the performance from the three biggest stars of Malayalam will bring audience to the movie hall.

Mohanlal has given a great effort for the action sequences and dance performances. The actor seems to be more young and energetic.The director tries to give importance to all the characters (Jayaram and Dileep), but Mohanlal's performance is the main highlight among the three. He comes as Xavier (father) and Mathukutty (son).

The film's soundtrack is composed by Jassie Gift and lyrics by Anil Panachooran and Santhosh Varma. Jassie remade (uncredited) the song "Arike Ninnalum" in his own soundtrack as in Kannada movie's Gaganave Baagi sung by Shreya Ghoshal. MG Sreekumar, KS.Chitra, Manjari, Afsal and Jassie Gift are other singers. But music doesn't come upto the mark. Cinematographer Azakappan aptly supplement the festive mood of Goa with its full colour. Editor Don Max has tried out certain experiments in songs that seem to be a good trend in Malayalam Cinema. The film is produced by the well known name Antony Perumbavoor under the banner of Aashirvad Cinemas.

A special Vishukani from the biggest stars of Malayalam especially for kids and family. Hope Mammotty and Suresh Gopi are listening.

Rating: * * * * (3.5 star)

Director: Rafi Mecartin

Producer: Antony Perumbavoor

Starring: Mohanlal, Dileep, Jayaram, Pradeep Rawat, Kavya Madhavan, Poonam Bajwa, Dipasha

Music: Jassie Gift

Cinematography: Azhagappan