Kerala   

Woes of old age

`Ekantham'

`Ekantham' tells the story of two brothers who suffer from isolation and loneliness in their old age. It is a moving account of how these men are neglected by their near and dear ones and left to fend for themselves.

Achuta Menon (Thilakan) and Ravunni Menon (Murali) are brothers who part ways when they are young. However, they mend fences when age catches up with them and become thick friends. Thilakan is shattered by the demise of his wife who had stood by him through thick and thin for the last 40 years. Murali's woes are worse; after the death of his wife, his children neglect him. Murali is also suffering from a terminal illness. The film ends on an emotional note.

Thilakan and Murali; two doyens of Malayalam cinema, deliver moving performances, essaying the gloomy realities of old age stricken by disease. Salim Kumar's role of a patient suffering from an incurable cancer is unnecessary. Bindu Panniker and Madhupal play their roles well as the self-centered daughter-in-law and son of Murali.

The film is edited by Venugopal. Two songs written by Kaithaparam are set to tune by Kaithaparam Vishwanathan. Director-cum-storywriter Madhu Kaithparam succeeds in showcasing the sorry tale of the aged and discarded people.

However, the lack of sub-plots and the slow pace of the film fail to generate curiosity. Our filmmakers should realise that a film need not necessarily be slow-paced if the subject is realistic.

A Correspondent

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