Ramantey Edeathottam review: Director Ranjit Shankar has treaded on the 'sensitive ground' of marriage and opened up a Rumi-like approach to dealing with marital issues. Kunchacko Boban, in this unusual Rumi-like role, is fascinating but the real star is Anu Sithara. Her every expression is a dream to watch!
Ramantey Edanthottam: Memorable performances
While it is a pleasure to watch Anu Sithara, whose expressions are a dream to watch throughout the film, Joju George portrays a remarkable 'dark' side of a man, who treats all women including his wife as an object of enjoyment.
Ramantey Edanthottam: Storyline
Trapped in a lifeless marriage spanning over a decade, the melancholy portrayal of Elvis (starring Joju George) and Malini (Anu Sithara) begins with a car accident. That the accident happens even as Elvis is boasting about his 'liberal' outlook towards having extra marital affairs on the sly and saying that he is totally okay with his wife doing the same. Just then, Malini has a car accident and Elvis finds out from her phone that she was on her way to meet a man called 'Raman' with whom she intended to stay for four days.
An incensed Elvis, who is struggling to make ends meet as a failed film producer, finds himself torn to shreds with this knowledge.
The story narrative flips back to Malini's memories of meeting a holiday resort owner and environmentalist Raman (Kunchacko Boban), whom she initially snubbed and found irritating during a family holiday.
A quiet Raman watches Malini as she continues to stay in this green Eden-like paradise which he owns.
Throughout the holiday, we see snippets of how Elvis treats Malini dismissively, not taking her opinion on anything yet blaming her for everything when anything goes wrong. We also see Raman encouraging her to speak her mind on the simplest of things, showing respect to her views and reaching out to assure her that her views are important.
Ramantey Edanthottam: Story with a twist!
With Raman's entry in her life, Malini's approach to her life undergoes a sea change. His letters invite her to look at herself with respect and she takes up dance classes for the students in her building. She accepts Raman's invitation and visits him alone at the resort, where they spend many romantic moments, surrounded by the most picturesque garden like paradise, the 'Edenthottam'.
Even as it seems that Malini will get swept off in her tumultuous emotions towards Raman, it is her friend-philosopher, who takes a step back and maintains the boundaries between them. Notably, this is the first instance in Malini's life where she understands that he is showing her what it means for a woman to be treated with respect.
Ramantey Edanthottam: What I didn't like
Ranjith Sankar has tried to show both sides of the narrative. For instance, the male conversations and jokes that trivialise women to objects that are meant to be light but I wonder why. Is that supposed to be funny, really?
In a telling scene, Malini's friend tells her, "My husband keeps calling me a donkey but if i were to take offence, I would be rushing to get a divorce and then what would happen to the family?"
Here, the scene is conveying a common perspective - you can be abused or called names by your husband but it is okay because saving a marriage is more important than self respect.
I found it funnier that Malini's response is that she always felt that her friend's husband treats her with respect! If calling one's wife a donkey is a sign of the husband showing love and respect, then I seriously don't know what to think.
Could the scene have been constructed on a more positive and empowering premise that could have demolished Malini's fears about her own helplessness?
Several such questions kept running through me as the movie unfolded.
Why did the story insist on Raman having to show Malini what it means to be treated with self respect?
Why could the story not have shown a woman friend showing the same to Malini?
To my mind, this part of the film unintentionally perpetuates the patriarchal narrative of shaping a woman's choices to self-transformation. Even in what is picturised as a likely romantic moment, it is Raman who draws the boundaries for Malini, showing 'men set the rules' narrative.
Then Raman tells Elvis in a condescending tone, 'I have not touched her'.
This statement puts the centre of attention on a male defining a woman's prerogative even as he pushes her right to self-transformation.
The choice, in this story, should have been Malini's to make.
Ramantey Edanthottam: Best scene
There is a scene where Malini tells Elvis, "You said you are ready to forgive me. Forgive me for what? If that is the case, shouldn't I forgive you for whatever you have done to our marriage? ...Instead of setting the wrong example for our daughter, let us separately create two beautiful worlds for her to learn from. That is the best thing we can do for her."
The scene where she walks off with her head held high and her eyes shining -
that felt like the best scene in Kunchacko Boban-Anu Sithara starrer 'Ramantey Edanthottam'.
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