film that sets forth a gentle ripple of goodness in your heart. It's a
film about being human; a highly gratifying piece of refreshing
geniality.
Haunted by a daunting past, Menon (Sasikumar) returns to India after a
long forty five years in the US. His fast failing health leads him on to
a chance encounter with Mic (Mammootty), a simpleton who has arrived in
the city to earn some money. Mic soon wins over the hearts of the folks
around him and earns the nickname 'Loudspeaker' with his bellowing
sound.
'Loudspeaker' is all about a dejected individual whose life is
tremendously altered by a man, who infuses it with a burst of passion
that the former had never experienced. It's equally possible that Menon
might have chosen to turn away from the warmth of life around him, since
at some point he admits to having run away from memories.
The long process by which Mic gradually pushes himself into Menon's life
is endearing. Menon is left with little choice, and soon they set up a
strange sort of camaraderie that defies their disparities. For Menon,
there are several steps down the ladder, that he willfully steps down,
before he puts his arms around his cheerful new friend. And for Mic, for
whom the whole world has been nothing but a small hamlet, Menon is a
revelation. It isn't an easy journey for both of them; from being alone
in their respective worlds to learning to rely on one another.
Outcasts in their own right, Menon and Mic have a lot in common. This
commonness finds expression in different ways in both of them. Menon has
turned out be a hermit of sorts, and has resignedly settled down to an
existence that swells with emptiness. Mic on the other hand simply
refuses to give up, and vigorously hangs on to the very last straw, all
the while hoping to start it all over again.
There are several touches that steer the film just slightly away from
the mainstream. These are characters you and me would actually care
about and probably even relate to; these are recognizable human beings
that you get to see on screen. And the film doesn't depend entirely on
its plot; rather it's built on several tender moments that are true
heart warmers.
The loud speaking Mic is a role that real actors would fall head over
heels for; and one that stars would shy away from. It has Mammootty at
his best, and by virtue of his natural charm and dazzling wit, Mic gets
away with almost everything that he does. As simple as it appears, this
is an intricate role that he breathes all his life into, with an
outstanding performance that could easily be seen as a marvel of
contemporary screen acting.
The real revelation of the film would be Sasikumar. I wouldn't want to
see anybody else as Menon; Sasikumar is as real as Menon could ever be.
Mildly restrained and adding on that extra bit of appeal, the veteran
journalist has been perfectly cast as the man who fumbles around with
the bits and pieces of his life.
By the end of the film Mic and Menon have both grown into something
more. There are none of those tear jerking monologues in the finale.
It's another matter altogether if the film moves you in several ways
than you probably would ever admit.
'Loud Speaker' is a film that I want to believe in. One of those films
that would have you walk out of the cinema hall with a smile on your
face, it speaks volumes of the life that we so often miss out on.
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