Malayalam adaptation of Macbeth delivers on all levels

THERE have been many films inspired by William Shakespeare’s plays in India, but none are perhaps as unique as this Malayalam-language family drama, which recently premiered on Amazon Prime.

The interesting adaptation of Macbeth revolves around the power play between three infantilised sons eager to get their inheritance when their strict overbearing father has a stroke. The only thing they have in common is that they all have been waiting for him to die. There is also a dutiful daughter-inlaw who is not all she seems and a teenage grandson, who maybe hiding something important.

The youngest of these three brothers puts a cunning plan into motion to get what he thinks he deserves, and what follows is an unexpected story loaded with intrigue, set within the confines of a plantation where they all live.

With everyone forced to stay indoors during lockdown, this film comes along at the perfect time and provides plenty of entertainment from start to finish. The biggest hero of the engaging drama is the well-written screenplay with unexpected turns and characters rooted in reality that are believable.

Acclaimed director Dileesh Pothan follows up his excellent Malayalam films Maheshinte Prathikaaram and Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum with this fine effort. This is the third time he has teamed up with talented lead actor Fahadh Faasil, who is particularly brilliant in his role and delivers an award-worthy turn.

There are winning performances from the rest of the cast and collectively they raise the already strong material to a higher level. There is also sharp camerawork work in this atmospheric drama. The engaging performances add an extra layer to this film and ultimately make it a great watch.

Overall, this is the kind of cinema adaptation Shakespeare deserves and why Joji will be one of the finest Indian films you see this year.