Loud Speaker

Language : Malayalam
Banner : New Generation Cinemas
Director : Jayaraj
Producer : Jayaraj
Cinematography : Gunashekhar
Story : Jayaraj, P.Y. Jose
Screenplay : Jayaraj
Dialogue : Jayaraj
Editing : Vijai Sankar
Art : Prashanth Madhav
Lyrics : Anil Panachooran
Music : Bijibal
Distribution : Time Ads Release
Release : 2009 September 18
Starring : Mammootty, Gracy Sing, Sasi Kumar, Salim Kumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Cochin Haneefa, Jagathy, KPAC Lalitha, Janardhanan, Bheeman Raghu, Kalpana, Anoop Menon, Augastin, Undappakru, Sreejith Ravi, Sukumari, Valsala Menon

Jayaraj's 'Loud Speaker' is a charming film that sets forth a gentle ripple of goodness in your heart. It's a film about being human; a highly gratifying piece of refreshing geniality.

Haunted by a daunting past, Menon (Sasikumar) returns to India after a long forty five years in the US. His fast failing health leads him on to a chance encounter with Mic (Mammootty), a simpleton who has arrived in the city to earn some money. Mic soon wins over the hearts of the folks around him and earns the nickname 'Loudspeaker' with his bellowing sound.

'Loudspeaker' is all about a dejected individual whose life is tremendously altered by a man, who infuses it with a burst of passion that the former had never experienced. It's equally possible that Menon might have chosen to turn away from the warmth of life around him, since at some point he admits to having run away from memories.

The long process by which Mic gradually pushes himself into Menon's life is endearing. Menon is left with little choice, and soon they set up a strange sort of camaraderie that defies their disparities. For Menon, there are several steps down the ladder, that he willfully steps down, before he puts his arms around his cheerful new friend. And for Mic, for whom the whole world has been nothing but a small hamlet, Menon is a revelation. It isn't an easy journey for both of them; from being alone in their respective worlds to learning to rely on one another.

Outcasts in their own right, Menon and Mic have a lot in common. This commonness finds expression in different ways in both of them. Menon has turned out be a hermit of sorts, and has resignedly settled down to an existence that swells with emptiness. Mic on the other hand simply refuses to give up, and vigorously hangs on to the very last straw, all the while hoping to start it all over again.

There are several touches that steer the film just slightly away from the mainstream. These are characters you and me would actually care about and probably even relate to; these are recognizable human beings that you get to see on screen. And the film doesn't depend entirely on its plot; rather it's built on several tender moments that are true heart warmers.

The loud speaking Mic is a role that real actors would fall head over heels for; and one that stars would shy away from. It has Mammootty at his best, and by virtue of his natural charm and dazzling wit, Mic gets away with almost everything that he does. As simple as it appears, this is an intricate role that he breathes all his life into, with an outstanding performance that could easily be seen as a marvel of contemporary screen acting.

The real revelation of the film would be Sasikumar. I wouldn't want to see anybody else as Menon; Sasikumar is as real as Menon could ever be. Mildly restrained and adding on that extra bit of appeal, the veteran journalist has been perfectly cast as the man who fumbles around with the bits and pieces of his life.

By the end of the film Mic and Menon have both grown into something more. There are none of those tear jerking monologues in the finale. It's another matter altogether if the film moves you in several ways than you probably would ever admit.

'Loud Speaker' is a film that I want to believe in. One of those films that would have you walk out of the cinema hall with a smile on your face, it speaks volumes of the life that we so often miss out on.

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