ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

According to Chandran Rutnam

In the early late 70s when we were students at the “School by the Sea”, we heard stories about “Haralakshaya” (Turf Robbery), Keleththawa Murder case, Galle Dr. Kularatna’s case, Pauline De Crooz, Marusira, Yakadaya, and the story about Fr. Matthew Peiris. Films too were made based on these stories earlier which we have seen. Fr. Matthew Peiris’s nephew was my classmate and we two were film “buffs” and also readers of James Hadley Chase novels and Sinhala Deeman Ananda’s /75cts CID stories about Dicky Weerakoon and also “Tintin” comics.

“I was keen to see this movie with high expectations, which was fulfilled from the first scene to the end”

First of all, I must express my gratitude to the three parties involved in this project (The film ‘According to Matthew’) - firstly screenplay writer, Director and Producer Mr. Chandran Rutnam, secondly the Associate Producers Ceylon Theatres and finally the Distributors of the film Cinema Entertainments (CEL) who have made this international standard English movie. Right from the release announcement date up to now there were press-articles about the film in both languages and I was keen to see this movie with high expectations, which was fulfilled from the first scene to the end. This film is a genuine attempt to revive the events that led to this double murder. The filming, Editing and casting were superbly done and also the background music score. It’s not just a film but this is “THE FILM” which people of all ages irrespective of religion should watch on the large screen. Chandran has studied a lot about the story and the screen play is superbly created and also the supporting cast have performed perfectly along with the main stars Alston Koch and Jacqueline Fernandez. As Chandran has mentioned earlier in a news paper if there is a good movie, people will flock to see it whether it is a Sunday or whether the country is restive on not, but some “Pundits” claim there should be films targetting the festive season, school holidays, Vesak, New Year etc., and also when the country is plunged into political crisis there should be political comedies to see, but now the people in the country are fed up seeing and hearing ” Political Comedies” on TV, radio and press news. Finally, I strongly feel this is a film that should not be missed.