Director : Lal Jose
Producer : S. George
Screenplay : A.C. Vijeesh
Story by : Pradeep Nair
Starring : Mammooty,Mukesh,Fahadh Faasil,Reenu Mathews,Aparna Nair,Guinnes Pakru
Music by : Afzal Yusuf
Distributer : Play House
“Immanuel” is Lal Jose’s new venture coming soon after his earlier super hits “Diamond Necklace” and “Ayalum Njanum Thammil”, both of which being clean entertainers for the young as well as for the family audience. The film has Mammooty in the main role as ‘Immanuel’ but also playing an important role is Fahad Fazil as Jeevan, Head of a customer care centre in Cochin. Jeevan is smart, young and skillful in handling customers, and by his own example, inspires the team under him. The centre is visited by people for various needs and this calls for tremendous patience and great ability from the staff. Into this set-up, enters Immanuel who, having lost his job and having his age as a handicap, takes up a job under Jeevan after being referred by a friend. Immanuel’s travails to support his family of wife and a son and his struggles to make both ends meet feature as the main theme of the movie.
Lal Jose has again proved his credentials as a director, even guiding the flow to cover up the cracks in the script. Mammootty, the mega star that he is, has given another immaculate display and his manifestation from a humble and gentle soul to an almost perfect personality comes almost unnoticed and speaks volumes of his histrionic talents. Fahad Fazil, who has become an icon among the youth, gives another good performance as Jeevan and stands out among the supporting cast. It should also be mentioned that after his first film, Fahad’s next role was in “Pramani” which came after a long gap and had Mammooty in the lead. Mukesh has also given a fine performance along with Rinu Mathews who comes as Mammooty’s wife. . Salim Kumar, Nedumudi Venu, Guiness Pakru, Aparna Nair, Mukta and others have handled their respective roles very convincingly as well. Remembering veteran Sukumari Amma, Prayers.
Script writing by debutant Vijeesh.A.C is generally good. Cinematography by Pradeep Nair, editing by Ranjan Abraham and art-direction by Mohandas carry their special mark and add flavour to ‘Immanuel’. The office in Palarivattom, created for the movie by Mohandas is quite unbelievable and plays a huge part in raising the ambience of the movie. Afzal Yousuf’s music composition has gone a long way to heighten the drama and excitement.
“Immanuel” is sentimental, has some poignant as well as humorous moments, and allowing for minor lapses, could be termed as ‘a decent cinema’ with plenty of positive messages to cheer you up.