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Made in USA
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'Made in USA' Love overcomes suicidal tendencies

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

There is no doubting it: The Rajiv Anchal-directed Malayalam movie ‘Made In USA’ will revive the sagging fortunes of struggling Tamil actor Madhavan.

The hero with the boy-next-door image must be a much-relieved man these days. If the initial reports on the impact of ‘Made In USA’ are anything to go by, Mads, who has been going through a bad patch, is firmly on the comeback trail. Happy days are here again for Mads, who hogged the limelight with fabulous films like Alai Payudhe and ‘Run’.

Incidentally,

‘Made In USA’ happens to be Maddy's maiden film in Malayalam. As luck would have it, he has hit the bull's eye from the box office point of view, too, it seems. Mads must be thanking the promising director Rajiv Anchal, who has already made a name in Hollywood.

One thing can be said firmly about ‘Made In USA’. It is a well-made film, which has created an impact on the Malayalai audience.

In the film, Madhavan plays a man afflicted with suicide syndrome. The director has been able to bring out well the traumatic experiences the hero had to undergo. Of course, the film could have been more slick with better editing. The flashback scenes, for instance, are dragging in the extreme.

Roby (Madhavan) works as a barman in a casino in Las Vegas. He is a simple, happy-go-lucky guy who believes in helping people in distress. In the mission, he is ably assisted by two of his close friends, Johnny (Madhupal) and a professor (Innocent).

Destiny takes Roby, an orphan, to the United States of America, via a benevolent priest (played by Babu Kalasala). In no time, Roby endears himself to the fellow Keralites with his helpful mentality. He does not turn away even illegal immigrants from Kerala who flock to America hoping to make it big.

Then happens an incident that turns Roby's world topsy-turvy. The hapless youngman loses his friend’s money on the day of his departure to India! Wracked by a sense of guilt, Roby attempts suicide, but timely intervention by friends saves him.

It's time for psychiatrist Dr Mathew (Sreenivasan) to enter the scene. He takes up the responsibility of nursing Roby back to mental health.

In the hospital, Roby runs into two women, who leave an indelible impression on him: a Malayalee nurse (Kaveri). Her face rekindles Roby's memories about his childhood sweetheart and the Kerala village he grew up in.

The other is a US-born Malayali girl, who is admitted to the same hospital. Her problem is the same as Roby’s: tendency to commit suicide!

The climax is about how the psychiatrist puts Roby firmly on the road to recovery.

All the principal protagonists have performed well. Of course, Madhavan takes the cake with a brilliantly sensitive delineation of the suicide-prone young man. Maddy has managed to get under the skin of the character and done full justice to the faith the director has reposed in him. Hats off to Mads. This is one role he can be proud of. It could prove to be the precursor to a second lease in his reel life.

Innocent who plays the professor injects humor into the otherwise grim proceedings. Sreenivasan and Madhupal acquit themselves well. It is also a memorable maiden appearance for Neha, who plays the suicide-prone girl.

Only Kaveri disappoints. One wishes she could have infused more life and vigour into the role of the nurse. Her lackadaisical approach has robbed the on-screen chemistry between her and Madhavan of much of the fizz. Which is a major drawback of the otherwise quality film.

Music director Vidyasagar has done a competent job. But it is the background score by veteran Ouseppachen which is compelling attention. The background music meshes magically with the mood of the movie.

On the whole, a movie you must watch, minus points notwithstanding.

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