I am angry at myself that I watched the version that was not the 2021 remaster that was presented by Scorsese and instead saw the one that is good quality but doesn't have the same colour correction and details as the newer one. I should have checked that first and for anyone trying to see this, make sure you're watching the correct version to not miss the full effect of the incredible cinematography of this movie.
This is such a sweet folktale that also works as a time capsule of central Kerala during that time. The surreal magical realism of the film works perfectly with minimal dialogue. But I did feel like it shouldn't even have any dialogue with the way most of the dialogue is written and delivered. However, it's the songs that complemented the visuals to make the movie really work. Karukare Karmukil is such an iconic folk song now. The dog was also an incredible actor. How they managed to make it work back then is a wonder.
This and Kanchana Sita, the two G Aravindan films I've seen have their similarities in a way, that both feel like low-budget films that focus more on visual storytelling with a bit of a fantasy narrative. Even though I like both, Kummatty is the superior one for me. Both films have themes that I understand and like, some themes that feel a bit forced, more so over in Kanchana Sita, and a lot of layers I feel I haven't understood fully. Maybe the more I see Aravindan films, the more I'd learn to love the style.
