What a movie!. Amen isn’t just a film. It is a journey which refreshes your soul. It stirs you up so much and gives you the urge to re-start your life again.
Lijo Jose plays with the audience right at the very beginning enticing us to believe he is showing us the actual plot. Just when you begin to question the director’s intention he switches over to the glorious Aatmavin song. He lures with the visuals as the title card rolls and the journey begins.
The plot is relatively simple – A church band’s attempt at regaining it’s lost glory. But Jose cleverly links various sub-plots within this one line narration. You have Fahadh and Swati Reddy at one end of the spectrum with their cute love story. There is Kalabhavan Mani who yearns for a successor to lead the church band. There is an annual church band competition which has it’s own connotations. As if this isn’t sufficient we have church politics between Indrajith and Joy Mathew which deftly reveals the dark secrets of the so called religious leaders.
All of this seems a little too much to take doesn’t it. But Lal Jose inter-links each of the sub-plots admirably well with one central character – Fahadh Fassil. Fahadh shifts through his character’s traits like a chameleon – The prodigal son, the lover boy and a genius hidden in the shadows.
Indrajith plays Father Vincent Vatoli – A rebel which the church needs. A rebel who lifts the whole community. Kalabhavan Mani has the audience glued to the screen with the performance of a life time. The look of content in his eyes during the closing moments is proof of what a fine actor he was. It is a pity heaven needed him too soon.
Sit through the film and Lal Jose’s masterpiece will serve as a lesson on how to close out a film. You will have answers for all the sub-plots by the time the end credits roll. It will move you and make you believe in the art of film making and re-energize you to look forward in life.
Music is an integral part of the film and Prashant Pillai’s music is in sync with director’s vision throughout the whole movie. The cinematography by Abhinandhan Ramanujam is an absolute treat. There’s a very very important shot which sums up the whole film. An image shift right towards the very end. An empty boat, the river and the IMAGE. My words won’t do justice to how beautiful the shot is. Your eyes should bear witness to the same.
If you believe in love watch the movie. If you feel life treats you unfairly watch it. If you are someone who has a hidden talent within you watch it. If you are a non-believer watch it. If you love music watch it. If you have a passion towards films watch it.
Thank you Lal Jose for this beautiful journey called Amen.
My Rating – Infinite Stars
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