Debutant director P.R. Arun poignant sports drama is led by Rajisha Vijayan and Niranj Pillai

By Mythily Ramachandran

Theater director and scriptwriter of ‘Jamna Pyari’ (2015) P. R. Arun rides into Malayalam cinema with a poignant story of a national cyclist champ and her father’s dreams. But this is not a regular story of an underdog battling against all odds to eventually emerge triumphant. It is about two men and their love for a woman who goes through a tragedy. How do they deal with it?

Alice Verghese (Rajisha Vijayan) was in primary school when she got her first bicycle-a gift from her father (Suraj Venjaramoodu). Since then she has enjoyed riding, especially challenging her close friend, Manuel-living next door- into a race with her. While he sprinted on foot to school, Alice sped on her cycle.

Soon cycling becomes a passion for Alice. Egged on by her father- Verghese a former athlete- she put the little town of Katappana in Iddukki on the national map as a national champion. Alice is now gearing up for the Tokyo Olympics. A mishap punctures the dreams of this father and daughter.

Another filmmaker would have chosen to follow the time tested template and make it a story of Alice’s return. Arun- recipient of G. Sankara Pillai award (2003) for Best Playwright in Malayalam for the drama ‘Phaeton’- follows his own path. Without going the ‘Chakde India’ or ‘Dangal’ way, ‘Finals’ wheels on its solo track with a simple story told without cinematic frills and elevated with an astounding performance from its cast.

This story of an ordinary family has several moments that the audience will relate too. In the absence of her mother, Alice and her father share a close bond. The scene where Alice takes permission from her father to express her love for Manuel is beautiful. Vijayan’s   Alice is unlike her earlier films, yet full of life. Vijayan does not go overboard with her portrayal.

Suraj Venjaramoodu is the show stopper here. Speaking little, his Verghese is a man defeated in life but finds meaning in life through his daughter and her dreams.  Venjaramoodu speaks more through his eyes-Verghese’s disappointment, sadness and anger is tapped through glances. Venjaramoodu wins hearts.

Surprising viewers is Niranj, who has worked in other films earlier. This is clearly his big break. With well etched characters, director Arun makes viewers invest in their lives. Manuel with full sleeved shirts and flip flops undergoes a sea transformation in the second half of the story. His love for Alice is free from valentine moments. Their love is  felt in moments together-when Alice goes on her morning sprint and hails out to Manuel who is busy distributing newspapers-in a challenge to overtake her-a ritual that goes back to their school days. Manuel’s love is the kind every woman yearns for -unselfish, caring and so true. Niranj meets his director’s vision completely as he delivers Manuel.

And as Arun takes his story on a different route, he also raises voice about politics in sports and step-motherly treatment meted out to sportspersons. There is a lot of warm vibes and good will with respect to the fringe characters. Shot in Kattappana  district of Idukku, DOP Sudeep Elamon’s frames are a feast for the eyes.

‘Finals’ proves again that a good story told from the heart will reach far and near. Certainly not the loud noise made by a starry cast. Don’t take the audience for granted.