The Mahesh Narayanan-Mammootty-Mohanlal reunion film Patriot has a strong story, compelling ideas, stunning visuals and impeccable background music. It leaves you feeling like you’re watching an older project, even though it doesn’t serve the fans quite as much.
Here’s the thing: it deals with fairly serious and technical subject matter, and it remains to be seen whether it will resonate with audiences especially since it lacks a strong emotional anchor, beyond the central friendship.Patriot tells the story of a spy app, Periscope, that spies on the lives of ordinary people. How will a defense app, when equipped to spy on a country’s citizens, impact their lives, and who will all be involved in this bigger game? Daniel James is a senior official, while Mohanlal plays a retired soldier in this film that explores a desperate situation.
There are clear references to Animal Farm and George Orwell-like elements in the treatment of the concept.
It’s a difficult story to tell, and Mahesh did his best with it.Mammootty, as Daniel James, carries the first half of the film on his shoulders, along with the audience’s hope for a reunion. For patient cinephiles, this film works in ways that only unfold when you’re willing to be part of the world-building and character development.
Daniel’s transformation into a vlogger after the first quarter adds an interesting layer, and the slow pace and setting heighten the suspense even further. Casting Mohanlal in an important role that has yet to actually appear on screen until then deepens the plot and rewards patience.
Mammootty gives a perfect performance as Daniel. Mohanlal, as Rahim Naik – first in name and later in presence – looms large over the film in a very effective way.
The character and background are also strong, and Mahesh shows that he can present Mohanlal as a ‘block’ in any genre. The action sequences are tense, and the confrontations, background music by Suchen Shyam, and smooth dialogues lift the film at crucial moments. It certainly has several high points.
Manush Nandan’s cinematography deserves praise, as it complements the visuals of the film effectively.Fahd Fadel
He is in his element like Shakthi Sundaram.
Kunchaku Boban
Great as Michael Devasy. These characters are all intertwined. There are mutual feelings, and at the same time, many calculations above all else. When Fahd’s character says that what they’ve built is not followers but faith, this rings true for both the characters and the actors. In fact, their interactions carry an undercurrent of real-life conversations.
Was that absolutely necessary? Did you succeed? very good.
What might be called a dark speech with a lot of philosophy, before an exciting car chase. In the end, the scenario gets a bit chaotic before settling down, just like at the beginning. Dynamics between couples, friends, and even father and son – all find a place in this wonderful writing by Mahesh. The female characters – each treated with respect and strength – are key to the story’s telling. Should the preacher or minister be a woman? No, but the fact that they’re women is important, especially given their character settings.When legends unite, expectations rise to the highest levels. Although the film falters in places, it may please cinephiles, but whether it will fully work with fans remains a question.
