Papas

Review: With very little fanfare, amidst this deluge of cinemas releasing this week, Papas is a simple story told with the simplicity it demands. Set in Thrishur in the 90s, the film is about a boy who wished for a new pair of slippers. The title of the cinema, Papas, is the colloquial Malayalam word for slippers. Written by Santhosh Kallath, the film is directed by Sampath.


Lonan is just another young kid with simple needs and small wishes. Tired of his friends making fun of his worn out slippers, he hopes that his father Lazer, a fish monger, buys him a new pair. But Lazer, a drunkard, simply doesn't care enough.


Papas is a humble story, the kind of goodnight stories we tell little kids. But what makes it a cinematic experience is the imagery. Set in the 90s, Papas tells it's story in this vast canvas of childhood nostalgia, a world unfamiliar to millinials. That makes it a narrative for the young adults.


Sampath effectively directing a host of unfamiliar cast is a feat in itself. The visuals by Rasheed Rashi, director of photography, aide the narrative and lift the story up a notch. The film scores well musically. Sajan K Ram's background score aides the narrative a great deal. Dr. Gopal Sankar's music also deserves a great deal of credit. Songs by the one and only KJ Yeshudas, Vijay Yeshudas and Shreya Jaydeep are all highlights of the cinema.


However, Papas tells you a story that's predictable from it's very simplicity that we've praised so far. Also, at times the story loses touch with reasoning and offers no closure. Characters and incidents, change and simply exit the narrative abruptly. And then there are moments when emotions run dry and reasons feel flimsy.


Papas is undoubtedly for the children. And as far as children's films go it is not unusual to take children for granted and lax on the presentation. Often children's films are stuffed with sermons on morals and virtues, Papas offers no exception. Beautiful visuals and simple story aside, at the end of it, it preaches without any qualms. Subject yourself to the sermon with fair warning.