Njan Marykutty Movie Review
Ranjith Sankar's Njan Marykutty might or might not be the first
Malayalam movie to have a transperson as the main character, but it
surely is the first to treat such a character with dignity and respect.
Marykutty (Jayasurya) was born a man, but aspires to be, and dresses, like a woman. She is in the process of a sex change, which, the character, informs, is no overnight process though.
Marykutty's greatest wish is to join the police force, and she has a loyal circle of friends in support, but obstacles are many, in terms of the red tape involved, and society in general in the form of a police officer played by Joju George. Marykutty is sensitive by nature but determined to fight it out and refuses to take the insults and humiliation thrown her way - more often than not, she is referred to as 'that thing'. However, it's the hostility from her own family that causes real heartache for Marykutty, something she is determined to overcome as well. The trauma of the family of transpeople is also something the film explores.
It's by no means easy for a male actor to play such a character, but Jayasurya turns into Marykutty with ease, and you see only her, not the actor. The inner trauma of a transperson has been presented in an intense, yet subtle and beautiful manner. Marykutty dresses in starched cotton saris, is educated and just like any other independent woman, devoid of the usual cliches associated with the transgender community, the exaggerated feminine gestures and promiscuity.
The film also delves into the nitty gritties of being a transperson in Kerala, like the issue of washrooms, and the kind of violation of rights such a person has to face on a daily basis.
Innocent as the local priest, Jewel Mary as a classmate and Aju Varghese as an RJ have all done their parts well but Joju George is nothing short of brilliant, and Njan Marykutty is probably the best so far from the actor. Suraj also surprises as the sober and serious district collector.
Like with other Ranjith Sankar movies, inspirational dialogues and situations complete with upbeat music are in plenty in the film, but at the end of it all, the film achieves its purpose. Save a few unrealistic episodes, it moves you, and can change the attitude of society towards transpeople, and can be a pathbreaker in that sense. Not at one instance does it make the protagonist a source of humour, no mean feat.
While with many movies, you wish for it to end somehow, with Njan Marykutty, you feel a tad disappointed that it ended so abruptly. Let's hope the director makes a second part, with more or Marykutty's 'sheroism'.
Marykutty (Jayasurya) was born a man, but aspires to be, and dresses, like a woman. She is in the process of a sex change, which, the character, informs, is no overnight process though.
Marykutty's greatest wish is to join the police force, and she has a loyal circle of friends in support, but obstacles are many, in terms of the red tape involved, and society in general in the form of a police officer played by Joju George. Marykutty is sensitive by nature but determined to fight it out and refuses to take the insults and humiliation thrown her way - more often than not, she is referred to as 'that thing'. However, it's the hostility from her own family that causes real heartache for Marykutty, something she is determined to overcome as well. The trauma of the family of transpeople is also something the film explores.
It's by no means easy for a male actor to play such a character, but Jayasurya turns into Marykutty with ease, and you see only her, not the actor. The inner trauma of a transperson has been presented in an intense, yet subtle and beautiful manner. Marykutty dresses in starched cotton saris, is educated and just like any other independent woman, devoid of the usual cliches associated with the transgender community, the exaggerated feminine gestures and promiscuity.
The film also delves into the nitty gritties of being a transperson in Kerala, like the issue of washrooms, and the kind of violation of rights such a person has to face on a daily basis.
Innocent as the local priest, Jewel Mary as a classmate and Aju Varghese as an RJ have all done their parts well but Joju George is nothing short of brilliant, and Njan Marykutty is probably the best so far from the actor. Suraj also surprises as the sober and serious district collector.
Like with other Ranjith Sankar movies, inspirational dialogues and situations complete with upbeat music are in plenty in the film, but at the end of it all, the film achieves its purpose. Save a few unrealistic episodes, it moves you, and can change the attitude of society towards transpeople, and can be a pathbreaker in that sense. Not at one instance does it make the protagonist a source of humour, no mean feat.
While with many movies, you wish for it to end somehow, with Njan Marykutty, you feel a tad disappointed that it ended so abruptly. Let's hope the director makes a second part, with more or Marykutty's 'sheroism'.
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