Thallumaala review: A madcap boys film loaded with fun, music and action

Thallumaala, starring Tovino Thomas, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Shine Tom Chacko, opened in theatres on Friday, 12 August.

The film has been directed by Khalid Rahman who in recent times has earned accolades for his work in films like Unda and Love.

Thallumaala is centred on a band of friends who are prone to violence and often get involved in gang brawls.

Tovino and four of his friends form this gang; the way they come together is itself a result of a couple of brawls. At the drop of a hat, they keep getting into trouble.

A major portion of the movie comprises their equation with Shine Tom’s gang, which is equally prone to violence and impulsive physical responses to any situation.

Appeals to youngsters

The film’s final stretch, which happens at Tovino’s happy home that is brimming with his wedding festivities, is a lot of fun.

The way Shine and his gang arrive at Tovino’s home, the palpable tension that prevails in Tovino’s gang due to an earlier violent incident when they were at the receiving end of Shine’s gang, and what eventually happens at the wedding make for some cracking scenes.

These scenes will work big time in cinema halls, particularly with the young male audience.

Thallumaala feels like an ode to the cult Hollywood film Fight Club. One epic set of dialogues from the Hollywood film has been reused here with the terms “Hate Club” replacing the “Fight Club”.

The social media craze and how people instantly turn viral for all the wrong reasons, and notorious incidents have also been touched upon in the film.

Mesmerising music and brilliant stunts

Thallumaala also features a fantastic soundtrack by Vishnu Vijay. The background score and sound design have been done innovatively.

The songs are already very popular among the youth; they have been shot in a wacky, flashy style, reminiscent of pop music videos.

The film’s music, background score and slick visuals make it a compelling theatrical experience.

The pre-interval brawl that happens at a theatre (screening Vikram Vedha) and the pre-climax wedding brawl have been shot brilliantly by cinematographer Jimshi Khalid.

Incredible performances

Handsome hunk Tovino Thomas pulls off many looks and styles with ease in this film. He looks splendid onscreen.

His macho screen presence and muscular physique lend themselves perfectly to the part of a youngster, who often gets involved in local fist fights and brawls.

All his friends have neatly defined character sketches and make the film an enjoyable ride for us.

Shine Tom is an incredible actor. In some recent films like Beast (Tamil), his talent was vastly underused.

But here, he gets the very exciting character of a mercurial cop who is moody and violent, but basically a good-hearted man. The scenes involving Tovino, Shine and their respective gangs bolster the film big time.

The stylish and pretty Kalyani Priyadarshan forms a sizzling pair with Tovino. She plays an internet celebrity named Beepathu.

Inadvertently, her fiancé (Tovino) becomes a notorious internet celebrity himself due to the disastrously wild events which happen at their wedding.

Though Thallumaala is violent, the action and physicality of the film are never dangerous or menacing. It’s treated in a fun manner throughout.

That said, the excess action and brawls in the film might be off-putting for a section of the audience.

Sometimes, the movie goes through its lulls as there isn’t much in terms of story — apart from boys’ friendship, gang wars, romance, and all the good filmmaking on offer.

Verdict: Thallumaala is a wild, madcap boys’ film which is good fun as long as it lasts.