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Amen (2013 film)

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Amen
Theatrical 101 days poster
Directed byLijo Jose Pellissery
Written byPS Rafeeque
Produced byFareed Khan
Starring
CinematographyAbinandhan Ramanujam
Edited byManoj
Music byPrashant Pillai
Release date
  • 22 March 2013 (2013-03-22)
Running time
165 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Amen is a 2013 Malayalam-language romantic musical satire film written by PS Rafeeque and directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery. The film stars Fahadh Faasil, Indrajith Sukumaran, Swati Reddy, Natasha Sahgal and Rachana Narayanankutty in lead roles.[1][2]

The film moves around the events that happen in a picturesque Kuttanadan village following the arrival of young pastor Vincent Vattolli (Indrajith Sukumaran). The film was released on 22 March 2013, receiving rave reviews from critics and huge response from theatres.[3][4] The film was a box-office success.[5]

Plot

The plot revolves around the lives of few people around an ancient Syrian church in a Kuttanadan village called Kumarankari. Solomon (Fahadh Faasil) is in love with Shoshanna (Swati reddy) who is the daughter of a wealthy contractor. Solomon is the son of a band master who died after a show by drowning.Solomon is a failed band member. Here comes the entry of Fr. Vincent Vattoli (Indrajith) to the church. He learns about the relationship and tries to unite them. It was this time the marriage of Shoshanna gets fixed. Solomon attempts to elope with Shoshanna by taking the help of Fr. Vattoli but in vain. They are caught by their people and beaten up. Here comes a bet in which the Band is asked to win the band competition in which they lost in the previous years. It was said that Shoshanna would be married to Solomon if they win the competition with Solomon leading the band. They take intense practices and wins the bet. Solomon gets married to Shoshanna. The next day a call comes to the church informing that the new Priest Fr. Vincent Vattoli is taking charge. The Kumarangiri folks now comes to know that Fr. Vincent Vattoli was actually the saint himself who appeared in front of them.

Cast

Production

The film is scripted by P. S. Rafeeque, who also wrote Lijo's debut feature film Nayakan (2010). Abinandhan Ramanujam is the cinematographer who also wielded the camera for The Postman[1], a national award winning non-feature film from Chennai and shot the vivid TV series for MTV, The Rush. Indrajith was selected play the role of Father Vincent Vattolli, the pastor of a church in a village called Kumaramkari. This film is the actor's third film with Lijo after stellar performances in the critically acclaimed Nayakan and City of God (2011). Fahadh Faasil plays the other lead character named Solomon, who is in love with Sosanna, enacted by Subramaniapuram fame Swati Reddy. Meanwhile, scripwriter-turned-actor Natasha Sahgal, plays Indrajith's love interest in this film.[7]

Soundtrack

Amen's songs and background score are composed by Prashant Pillai. The lyrics were written by Kavalam Narayana Panicker and P. S. Refeeque ("Solomanum Shoshannayum"). The music album has 7 songs:

Track Song Title Singer(s)
1 "Aathmavil" Kavita Mohan, Shwetha M., Preeti Pillai, Sankar Sharma
2 "Karuthiku Thithai" Sopanam Anil, Sopanam Satheesh, Nithin Raj, Sankar Sharma
3 "Meen" Alyssa Mendonsa
4 "Pampara Pa Pa" Sopanam Anil, Sopanam Satheesh, Remya Nambeesan, Nithin Raj
5 "Solomanum Shoshannayum" Preeti Pillai, Shreekumar Vakkiyil
6 "Spirit of Amen" Sankar Sharma, Alphons Joseph, Prashant Pillai
7 "Vattolli" Lucky Ali

Release and reception

Amen reached theatres on 22 March 2013, receiving rave reviews from critics.[3][4]

Critical reception

Review Scores
Critic Rating Reference
Sify [8]
Cine Shore [9]
Rediff [10]
The Times of India [11]
OneIndia [12]
NowRunning [13]

Upon its release, Amen received unanimously rave reviews from critics. Critics praised the film for its technical aspects and music. Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com stated that Amen is "brilliant" and concluded that "Director Lijo Jose Pellissery can be proud of making a brilliant film that has an intelligent story, a multi-layered screenplay, excellent cinematography and powerful performances from the actors."[10] Aswin J Kumar of The Times of India gave the movie 3.5 stars in a scale of 5, stating that "In Amen, director Lijo Jose Pallisserry dabbles in a newly-found realm. He does the act joyfully with a tinge of absurdity and he derives laughter that sometimes wobbles on sheer madness. The good part is that the joy stays, warm and pleasant, all through the film."[11] Jo of Malayala Manorama gave the film a favourable review praising the cinematography of Abinandhan Ramanujam and direction.[14] Mathrubhumis entertainment website mb4frame also wrote a positive review saying 'Amen is visually and technically brilliant.[15] Sify.com gave the movie a verdict of "brilliant" and concluded the review, saying that "When most films move out of your mind minutes after you leave the theaters, Amen just grabs you in a fantastic way. It has its flaws for sure, but just don't miss this gem. Two big thumbs up and a must watch recommendation for Amen!"[8] Smitha of Oneindia.in also gave the movie 3.5 stars and recommended to watch the movie "only if you enjoy watching different and experimental cinema."[12] Veeyen of Nowrunning.com gave the movie 3 stars out of 5 and appreciated the movie, commenting that "The flavor, spirit and fun of Amen make it buoyantly unpretentious, and the sheer exuberance that it lets out renders it a movie of the magical kind. A feel-good, jovial and unfussy musical experience, it's a sunny gem of a film that drops down from the heavens above, as the Lord parts the clouds to take a look at the world down below."[13]

Box office

Unlike Lijo's previous films, Amen was well received at the Kerala box office.[16] On 12 May, IBN Live reported that the film has made a clear profit of ₹30 million in 50 days.[17] Amen completed 100 days in theatres across Kerala.[18] Overall it had a gross of ₹8.12 crore with a satellite right of ₹2.90 crore and ₹2.7 million as other rights[19]

There are confirmed reports that Amen, with its tremendous success at the box office, is to be remade in Bollywood with Ranbir Kapoor playing the lead role.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Swati Reddy signs Lijo Jose's 'Amen'". CNN-IBN. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Swati Reddy to make M'wood debut with Amen". Times of India. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Amen to hit theaters 22,successful movie. March". NowRunning. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/92312.html
  5. ^ http://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-cinema-first-half-of-2013-progress-report-news-malayalam-nhgry4ccbfg.html
  6. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasi_Kalinga
  7. ^ "Shotcuts: Amen to that". The Hindu. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Movie Review: Amen" Sify. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. Brilliant
  9. ^ "Movie Review: Amen" Cine Shore. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. Brilliant
  10. ^ a b "Amen is brilliant" Rediff. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Amen movie review" The Times of India. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Amen Movie Review – Experimental and unconventional!" OneIndia. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Amen Review" NowRunning. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  14. ^ "ആമേന് സ്തുതി ചൊല്ലാം". Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). 23 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  15. ^ "ആമേന് സ്തുതി". Mathrubhumi. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2013. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  16. ^ Chandrakanth Viswanath; Sunita Raghu; Swati Sharma; A Sharadhaa. "Direct hits". The New Indian Express.
  17. ^ "Malayalam comedy flick 'Amen' completes 50 days in theaters "
  18. ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-03/news-and-interviews/40350857_1_fahadh-faasil-swati-reddy-indrajith
  19. ^ "2013 Half Malayalam films hit status". Cine Shore. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Amen heads to Bollywood"
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