Dr.Patient

Cast: Jayasurya, Mukesh, Radha Varma, Jagathy Sreekumar, Bijukuttan, Mala Aravindan, Krishnaprabha, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Nedumudi Venu, Anoop Chandran, Manikuttan, Kulapulli Leela
Language: Malayalam
Director: Viswanathan
Producer: Ramprasad
Camera: M.J. Radhakrishnan
Story: Viswanathan
Screenplay: Viswanathan
Dialogue: Viswanathan
Lyrics: Jofi Tharakan, Rafeeque Ahmed
Music: Bennet-Veetrag
Year: 2009

Viswanathan, the director who gave us 'Out of Syllabus', now makes a comeback with 'Dr. Patient', which for most part is an average kind of comedy, but takes a twist in the end reels. The film is OK for a watch, but is certainly not a must-see, and doesn't have too many good cinematic moments to boast of.

'Dr. Patient' takes us to a mental hospital, run by one Rakhi Devadas (Radha Varma). Rakhi is very strict and never tolerates anyone who breaks or bends the rules that she has set for her hospital. Things however take a turn when a young psychiatrist by the name of Rueben Isaac (Jayasurya) makes his entry, coming in as a new doctor at the hospital.

Rueben comes in with some new ideas that Rakhi finds shocking. Rueben's philosophy is to give his patients (whom he calls 'clients') as much freedom as possible, and to pay attention to their emotional aspects too. Rueben and Rakhi naturally clash with each other, but later when Rueben's new methods start producing results, Rakhi begins to realize that his ways are right. She even develops an intimacy with him. It is at this juncture that another guy (Mukesh) comes in. It so happens that this new entrant is the real Dr. Rueben Isaac. So who's the other guy? The rest of the plot develops from this point.

Jayasurya and Mukesh are good in their respective roles, but Mukesh seems to be doing his role rather disinterestedly, which is very uncharacteristic of an actor who has always impressed us with the commitment he brings to his performance. Radha Varma, who made her debut in Malayalam with 'Crazy Gopalan', has improved. Suraj Venjaramoodu as the hospital attendant Eenasu is his boisterous self as seen in umpteen other films. The others, like Jagathy Sreekumar, Anoop Chandran, Bijukuttan, Mala Aravindan, Manianpillai Raju etc (all playing inmates of the mental asylum) are true to their roles. The script is average. Of the songs, 'Mazha njaan arinjirunnilla...', is the only one worth mention. Technical aspects are in tune with the plot and the theme.

Overall, the film is average stuff and for the most part moves on predictable lines. The comedy isn't in any way hilarious. It's only towards the end that the film shifts gears and becomes somewhat impressive. The last reel is good. But who will bother to sit through the rather lackluster earlier scenes just to see an impressive end reel?

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