It is not everyday that you see a children's film enthrall both kids and adults alike. But here is one such gem from first timers Rojin Thomas and Shanil Muhammed who have beyond doubt written something special in the history of Malayalam cinema with their monkey pen. A very innocent take on school and life there, PATMP is a film with a heart.
The movie opens with a few school boys planting posters on a school wall and quickly spirals into the history of a magical pen which one of the boys possesses, the Monkey Pen. We are taken back to British ruled Kochi (who in turn are ruled by a very monkey-faced and lanky Mr.Moorthi).
Ryan Philip played by Master Sanoop, like any other 5th grade boy is as naughty as naughty gets. Jayasurya, a once-naughty-boy, plays Ryan's dad and Remya Nambeesan, a once-eloped-lover, plays his mom. A non-homework doer and late-comer Ryan is not new to being beaten black and blue by his Maths Teacher (Vijay Babu). His naughty tantrums form the first half of the movie.
It spirals you back into your school days where war meant butt-stabbing with sharpened pencils and and launching Duster missiles.
Ryan with his naughty antics teaches his school principal (Mukesh), Maths teacher and grandpa (Joy Mathew) how to love and forgive. It is often quoted that smile is a curve that can set a lot of things straight and Ryan proves how true that is.
The movie does remind of you the classic Taare Zameen Par here and there, but the directors quickly rule out such comparisons with their own creativeness.
Master Sanoop's cute smile is infectious and diffuses out of the screen to spread one across your face. Vijay Babu as the Caning Maths Teacher, Mukesh as the apple loving principal and Joy Mathew as Captain Grand-dad are simply perfect and they all etch a place in your heart. Special mentions must go to Ryan's gang members, especially Mr.Toothless- ruthless.
The speck-less cinematography that captures the innocent smile and the Sea's wide mile alike, is an absolute delight. The music is soothing and refreshing. The BGM is so moving that it can bring tiny droplets of tears even on the driest of eyes.
This is a movie that revokes that child inside you and redeems the adult that you are. It teaches you how simple deeds can have gargantuan impacts in making our world a happy place. The creators have infused wit and wisdom in balanced proportions laying out an interesting, thought provoking and introspective piece of cinema that can have a cathartic effects on the shady part of your brain.
Like the Chalk Board red 'One positive thought can make your day Happy'.
