Patriot written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan is a good example of how to use star power while narrating an important story. Patriot has a dystopian feel especially the works of George Orwell. By nature, the film has a fair amount of technical jargon. Also, it’s not an out an out-star vehicle. But Mahesh Narayan deserves absolute credit for bringing up the importance of questioning the government policies rather than blind patriotism
Starcast: Mammootty, Fahad Fasil, Kunchako Boban, Mohanlal, Revathy, Nayanathara and others
Genre: Action thriller/drama
Director and writer: Mahesh Narayanan
Music: Sushin Shyam
Cinematography: Manush Nandan
Producers: Antono Joseph and KG Anil Kumar
Production Companies: Anto Joseph Film companies, Blue Tigers London etc.
Running time: 3 hours
Ever since its release on May 1 Patriot has seen a diverse range of opinions especially the central subject of surveillance. The different tangents within the main storyline hasn’t worked for everyone. But Patriot is definitely a big screen watch both for the scale and the contemporariness of the issue it handles.
Without giving much away Patriot follows the journey of Dr Daniel James (Mammootty in great form as always). He exposes a mass surveillance conspiracy leading to an exile from India. He flees to London running a popular YouTube channel Vimathan. Through the YouTube channel he continues to question the government policies. However, a situation comes when Daniel gets out of exile leading to multiple developments. Mohanlal in an extended cameo is colonel Rahim Naik. Rahim is Daniel’s best friend. Other important cast members include Fahad Fassil as an ex-army officer and the owner of Shakti corporation, there is also Kunchako Boban in multi shaded role. He starts off as Fahid Fassil’s colleague/partner in crime and then turns into an important subordinate/helper for Daniel James and Rahim Naik.
A strong aspect of Patriot is the central subject of a spy software called Periscope. This reminds us of the current developments with a strong resemblance to Pegasus. This is further enhanced by scenes in the movie talking about the misuse of an individual’s private data. Mass surveillance as a topic isn’t particularly new but what makes the difference is the dystopian touch given by writer and director Mahesh Narayanan. There is a line in the movie with Mammootty talking about the human farm concept. A comparison is drawn with George Orwell’s works to explore a world controlled by algorisms and a certain lack of data autonomy.
The movie also questions citizens attitude in supporting government’s method of surveillance, the character of Mammooty has been excellently used as a voice of dissent raising relevant questions.
What also works for Patriot is the layered plot underneath the topic of mass surveillance. The character dynamics with the past histories also makes the film engaging. A specific mention must be made of a crucial pre climax reveal, it gives a psychological insight into the character of Fahad Fassil.
Mention must also be made of how the women characters have been integrated. Yes, the likes of Revathy, Nayanathara and Darshana have minimal screen time but their integration at different points deserves praise. More importantly they come across as strong women for example Revathy in the first half as the chief minister. An early exchange between her and a politician is a solid example of understated authority, there is no significant raise in the voice, but the formidable nature is palpable. Revathy scenes with Mammooty are very limited but it’s a treat to watch the two veterans together.
Nayanathara appears from mid second half as Daniel’s ex-wife Lathika. Much like Daniel she is also fighting a battle against Fahad Fassil’s Shakti Sundaram. The daredevil nature of the role has come out wonderfully both in the writing as well as acting.
Coming to the reunion of two legends Mammooty and Mohanlal, the timing of the latter’s entry makes for a fantastic scene. This is further added by Fahad Fassil’s dialogue mirroring the legendary status of the veterans. The friendship scenes between Daniel and Rahim has come out in an organic manner with some wonderful punch dialogues. Especially those delivered by Mohanlal. Mohanlal also gets a solid action block in a hospital setting. Its a treat to watch the legendary actor kick some ass even at this age.
Kunchako Boban as already mentioned has a multi shaded role. His relationship dynamics with the effervescent Darshana and how a certain incident leads to shift in equation with Shakti is solidly written and enacted.
Fahad Fassil as the manic villain with daddy issues is deliberately hammy but it works in the context of the movie. Mammooty has the most screen time in Patriot and the actor chews the scenery in his usual style. The fighting spirit of Daniel has been excellently brought out by him.
On the technical front the large scale has been well captured through the lens of Manush Nandan. A specific mention must be made of an intense chase scene amidst Daniel needing urgent treatment. An action sequence in a moving private jet also deserves praise. Sushin Shyam’s music is nicely understated jelling perfectly with the movie’s tonality.
