Joshiy is perhaps the greatest mass movie maker Malayalam has ever seen with the possible exception of Shaji Kailas. From "New Delhi (1987)" to "Lion (2006)", the master director has given us an array of character-driven mass heroes, in direct contrast to the template physicality we have seen in the genre, relying more on power of personality and dialogue to deliver mass elevation sequences. In "Paappan", he gives us a more understated, brooding and low key avatar of superstar Suresh Gopi which while being appreciable, still just barely manages to salvage an overlong, trite film.
The story follows the journey of retired Circle Inspector "Abraham Paappan" (Suresh Gopi) and his estranged daughter, ASP Vincy Abraham (an excellent Neeta Pillai) as they are forced to put aside their differences and work together to track down an elusive serial killer. The writing from RJ Shaan is unimaginative and cliche-ridden, relying on familiar tropes we have seen umpteen times in films such as "Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990)", "Memories (2013)" and "Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)", offering nothing ingenuitive or unexpected to justify its overlong, overstuffed 2 hour 50 minute run-time.
The supporting performances from Asha Sharath, Nandhu, Gokul Suresh, Kaniha and co remain surface-level and without impact not due to their performances but due to clear lack of tightness in the script and depth in the writing. There are so many characters moving in and out of the narrative without ever justifying their presence that after a point the audience will want to give up. The director might have thought these barrage of red herrings would have built up the suspense element, but they act contradictory to expectations, giving a contrived and exhausting sheen to proceedings.
It was refreshing to see Suresh Gopi in an aged, battle-weary avatar as a dejected cop trying to rewrite old wrongs and Neeta Pillai holds her own as a fierce, steadfast cop who habitually puts duty above family and relationships. Unfortunately, the script and narrative fall apart around them the more you get into the movie, with the vapid, cringeworthy climax, especially leaving a bad taste in the mouth. Watch this one at your own risk. In a year that gave Malayalam thrillers of the level of "Twenty One Grams" and "Ela Veezha Poonchira", "Paappan" does not pass the acid test and ends up being sub-par. If you are expecting classic Joshiy level thrills and chills, you will be sorely disappointed!
