Random Musings
The ambiguity of life and fate, is intertwined and is such, which drives the course of an individual’s timeline on Earth.
Lazily we often term fate as God's mischievous play. A walk through a rope bridge, if you will.
The ends of the bridge are anchored to firm objects, which remain intact and unchanged.
The middle of the bridge can sway, fray, or even break, but as long as the ends stay fixed, the bridge's (now remains) and the state of falling apart, stand as a monument to witness.
Onlooker of the reel of a life that was lived
Introspection can be a great way for a attain a temporary state of escapism, dwelling upon those memorable, downright cringe and unforgettable memories, which all comes flooding back.
There may often be question(s) which linger around:-
- What more could I have achieved?
- Have I lived life fully?
- Do i have any regrets? etc.
This is where, a wish to overlook the existing trail reel of our life, lingers on. To rectify situations that went south, to improve episodes from our life that went lacking etc.
This piece of art, directed by T.V Chandran, is one for the ages, and can feel hauntingly relatable.
Introspection was a constant ally of our hero Dany, who faced situations with a smile on his face, come what may. This is the story of Daniel Thompson, the now-fading memoir of a life unrealized.
| Director | Writer | Release Date | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| T.V Chandran | T.V Chandran | 28 December 2001 | 🎭 Tragicomedy |
Phases of Daniel Thompson's Life
Early Years: Childhood to Adulthood
We begin by casting our eyes on the hero, whose life events coincide with major events in the World's political history.
With an almost non-present childhood & incidents from the timeline to savor, Dany transitions to an adult, making ends meet as a vocalist-cum-guitarist for events. Save for the dreadful attempts at singing a song of sorrow, which fitted the present narrative, it did allude to his personal losses - the absence of his immediate family and it's fruit, unconditional love.
Credits: Speed Audio & Video
During the course of this phase, we observe a care-free character, moulded by qualities that best define him. An innocent simpleton that had just begun to unravel the journey through the road that he had just taken, life.
Middle Age: Married Life & Resigned Acceptance
From the failure of the first marriage, caused by his wife walking out on him, a blanket of introspection and self-doubt dawns upon Dany, on his ability to lead a martial life. There is a sense of discontentment lingering around, which honestly Dany was'nt responsible for.
Relationship Compatibility and Power Dynamics are two wholly different concepts that could make or break a relationship. Ignoring the first marriage, the second marriage shows us an eventual surrender (not even a shift) of dynamics between the pair.
Restrictions stemming from Dany's limitations of illiteracy, a drinking problem and overall demeanor, see him transition to the sorry state of a loner. A constant state of cheer enveloped Dany at any situation, come what may. The state of resigned acceptance, hidden well behind the blanket of a smile.
Credits: Speed Audio & Video
During this millennia, when loneliness and disassociation are a much discussed reason of a brimming social epidemic, Dany utilizes it as a state to find joy, without needing anyone's concern for his wellbeing. A state of disillusionment and radical acceptance creeps in, making an ever-present stay as a theme, throughout the course of Dany's middle age.
Music was an ever-present in Dany's short-lived career as a Saxophonist. A saxophone and the tune emanating from it was enough to put his sorrows away. Tunes that spoke of a story untold of a master virtuoso.
This is beautifully portrayed through the film, through Johnson's score, an ever-present partner throughout Dany's life
Declining Years
Forced to wear the cap of an ailing heart patient to aid his wife's job posting, under the grounds of sympathy, the man is now a former shadow of himself. Incidents of neglect, infamy, personal losses etc. have woven a blanket around him, enforcing the belief of a slow exit from life. An exit from a road that was not kind to him.
With the entry of Bhargavi Amma into the little nursing home that housed him, a reason to live and to be cast from the shackles of enforced parenthood promises take over. Culminating with an exit from the family that had always labeled him as a burden, the pair make a trip to Bangalore, to visit Dany's daughter and granchildren (his own blood), before being booted out. This time, it was based on the grounds and infamy of martial status and social stigma surrounding the elderly pair.
This final act of embarrassment, coupled with the frayed losses of those around Dany, was too much to take, as he breathed his last. Away from kith and kin, in a foreign land, with no one to nurse and take care of his wellbeing, save for Bhargavi Amma.
A stranger no less, there was a cord that bound them together. From agreeing to travel together and sharing thoughts from a life that was left unrealized, it may well be a truth a stranger can turn into the very best of Samaritans, at a crucial juncture.
Climax: Humanity First, Labels Second
Labels such as religion and caste are something that is pasted upon us, upon birth. Despite the various labels in which humans exist, we are all humans first. A gracious act of humanity always comes first, despite the situation
The climax was a heart-warming one, enforcing the thought that humanity does still exist, without barriers. Bhargavi Amma (being from the Nair community) orders her workers to prepare a final resting place for Dany, complete with the final rites, the Latin Catholic way, without causing any cause for short change.
Despite the workers raising visible efforts to argue, a warming act on humanity was put forward and set as an example. Divided by labels, we are all humans at the end of the day.
Death can be sudden and is never predictable. T.V Chandran takes leave from the film, with an expectant thought about his existence, leaving us with the same uneasy thoughts.
The Final death bed
Daniel Thompson (1930-2000)
Post Watch Thoughts
This trajectory of the film can feel hauntingly relatable to some and is one, whose presence keeps lingering days after a watch.
Kudos to Mammootty for handling such a character and for accepting this role, by putting in a mature performance. Mallika Sarabhai, with her less screentime made an impact upon the proceedings and to lend the role a humanely and personal touch. The rest of the acting crew also requires plaudits for putting in a great performance.
K.G Jayan's rustic frames are a delight to watch, along with the sorry tale unfolding.
Themes of a foregone era, such as - family reputation, disputed parenthood and acceptance are dispersed throughout the film, making us aware of the situations that Dany has gone through. Bearing an uncanny form of relatability to Shakespeare's 'Seven Ages of Man', this is Dany's story of a
to attempt to lead a dignified life, falling short somewhere during it's course.
Trivia
- Various accolades came calling for this film, both from the State and National Awards. Those included the ones for 'Best Feature Film' , 'Best Director' and 'Best Photography', the latter awarded to T.V Chandran and K.G Jayan respectively.
- This is T.V Chandran's third venture with Mammootty, after the much acclaimed 'Ponthan Mada' and 'Ormakal Undayirikkanam'
Could'nt resist adding this poster
Dany's Movie Poster
Credits: IMDB
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