‘Minmini’ movie review: Halitha Shameem’s Himalayan journey will give you chills

A scene from ‘Minmini’

In the beginning MinminiCandles burn inside a school during a cool evening in Ooty.

A student offers to light it with his candle. Someone comments, “When one candle lights another, no harm is done.”

This line, in a nutshell, epitomises this 143-minute coming-of-age drama, which begins with scenes in a school in Ooty. The most popular student here is Pari (Gaurav Kaalai), a football star who has won so many cups that the school shelves are not able to accommodate them. Sabari, a new student arrives who has very different interests; he plays chess, is not as sociable as Pari and is more interested in colouring than sketching.

Sabri and Pari don’t get along well but there is some tension between them. This drama continues for a long time in the film until an accident happens, after which Minmini It becomes a very different movie: about finding yourself.

The second part, without wasting any time, begins in the Himalayas. Two students from the group, who were completely in a shell till now and knew nothing about the outside world, have now come out. They are not only discovering themselves, but helping others to discover themselves as well.

You’ll have to watch the film to understand why, but director Halitha Shameem’s Minmini This film is best when you’re not expecting dramatic things to happen. It’s a very romantic take on the Himalayas, where the two main characters Praveen (Esther Anil) and Sabari (Praveen Kishore) go on a journey of exploration. Director Halitha Shameem has a lot of “vibes” here, and long scenes of conversations about life, goals and happiness.

A scene from ‘Minmini’

The problem with all of this is that it Minmini It’s like a pretty postcard with very little depth. Like the leads see a sign for an arts festival and immediately decide to go. Like trying out camel rides, or drinking butter tea, and meeting new bikers along the way. While the lack of romantic interactions between the two is really refreshing, these scenes feel a bit too drawn out and like an advertisement for Himalayan tourism.

The voiceovers, which are mostly commentary on the characters’ lives, don’t really help at these junctures. Manoj Paramahansa’s cinematography is breathtaking, thanks mainly to the beauty of the area and the scenery. The music is by Khatija Rehman, who has done a pretty good job; but one wishes she didn’t have to fill the entire college area with thumping background music in the first half.

The final reveal and the parts that follow are entertaining to watch, but Halitha didn’t need to make things too realistic; like having young Sabari read a book on friendship, or having the protagonists talk about the sky and the afterlife on a starlit night. The accident scene could have been shot better too – the gravity of the accident doesn’t come across in the scenes – but the scenes of college friendship and the whole Himalayan setting make up for it.

one of the biggest discussions Minmini The filmmaker decided to film the film for eight years before the film was even released so that he could capture the evolution of the actors in the film. While this effort is commendable, especially with regard to Sabari, it results in two parts that are very different in nature from one another.

A look at recent Tamil cinema, which is characterised by a predominantly black and red visual tone, guns and AruvalsColourful and well-lit Minmini It feels like a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, the novelty is only in the visuals and treatment, but not in the depth of the scenes. From a director who has given us more memorable films Poovarasana PP And Sillu Karupatti, Minmini It seems more visual, but has less courage.

At times, you wish for more drama and more conflict. Like the characters’ journey, the film unfortunately has no definite destination. It looks like a beautiful picture of the Himalayas that you will sigh at.

Minmini is currently running in cinemas