Manjummel Boys: Why did it make us cry?
That’s a question I ask myself. Though being someone who cries almost watching every other film, Manjummel Boys was different for me. It is not a surprise coming from the Malayalam Film Industry. They have made gripping, jaw-dropping, sobbing, thrilling, depressing films over the years, and this is just another piece of cake for them.
But for me, I felt something new from Manjummel Boys. I cried, I smiled, I felt happy all together. More than a Why. How they made it was sticking in my mind for the past two days, and….
How did the creators do it? How did they achieve something this big? Were they even aware that this would blow up so well?
Here are some points that WHY I think Manjummel boys worked out:
1. Strong Characters
Manjummel Boys has 11 Characters that continue throughout the journey, from Start to End. Though it is hard for us to remember all of the character names and their mannerism, it sticks to us that these boys have been since childhood and have faced several ups and downs, whether in Tug of War or in choosing who to call and avoid for a trip. They have been through thick and thin. And how did the creators register strongly with us?
THEY. DIDN’T. WASTE. A.SINGLE.SECOND
From the first scene until the end, they used each dialogue and framing to make us laugh and connect as if they were our boys. They utilized all the characters in the necessary scenario, as to which one to inform the police, which one to give up, and which one to take a life-ending decision. We CRIED when Subash was rescued because even the relationship between Subash and Kuttan since childhood was portrayed efficiently.
Characters in a movie should be as strong as possible so that we can have trust in them and make us root for or feel for them. Manjummel Boys had no time to waste. Thus, they didn’t.
2. Emotional Impact
I’m sure most of us would’ve expected this point because it’s evident that this film 6moved us all. But how did they do it smoothly without us feeling “too much” or “cringy” about an emotion?
I’m sure there are many movies where one suffers to rescue another from a life-threatening mission/situation. But why did we all root for Kutta and Subash and wait to clap vigorously with our tears at the edge once the mission was complete? Because we are Subash, to be loved like Subash is the biggest treasure for us that we all constantly think we will never achieve. Questions like, ‘Who would risk their life for us?’, ‘Have I earned some good friends?’ ‘Do I even have a set of people to accompany a trip with me?’. (Million Dollar Questions) have aroused once the film ends.
Subash’s childhood is explained in two scenes; thus, how Subash is feeling 120 feet under the world is how we felt while watching the film. We all have a Subash, and sometimes we are the Subash. The creators achieved this like a piece of cake.
3. Relatability
Relatability is a critical component of a successful movie. The audience ought to find their experiences mirrored in the film, whether in the main character, the plot, or the subjects discussed. Finding the balance is a continual problem.
Knowing your target audience is crucial here. An older audience might not be drawn to a teenage romance, while a younger audience might not be interested in a complex political drama. This point is again co-related to the earlier mentioned emotional impact. Emotional Impact arises when we relate to the story/Plot/Character. It doesn’t have to be a true story to be relatable. All it takes is familiar stories. Stories that people can relate to and are dominant over the age demographics. Like the famous saying, “Give me the same thing…But different”.
There are several more aspects of why Mnajummel Boys was a huge hit. The nuances of friendship, the mellow sadness, nostalgic places etc..,
I can’t think more of it. The more I think, the more I want to find my Kuttan.
