Pattth: A Disappointing Attempt at Art Cinema

Exploring the Ambitions of Pattth

Jithin Isaac Thomas and Ananthan Raju, the co-directors of Pattth, present a Malayalam film that leaves viewers puzzled. This film, while ambitious in its quest to redefine cinema, often feels like a rebellious teenager trying to upset parental expectations by adopting a radical new look.

Pattth certainly embodies a spirit of rebellion, but it lacks the depth found in the art films of the 1970s by directors like Mani Kaul and Kumar Shahane, whose lengthy shots, though self-indulgent, carried a sense of authenticity.

In contrast, Pattth's sluggish pace offers little hope for redemption. The film focuses on the serious expressions of its characters as they discuss an obscure song that the protagonist, Unni (played by Ashik Safiya Aboobakker), recalls hearing from his grandmother. Alongside his partner Anupama (Gauthami Lekshmi Gopan), they embark on a quest to uncover the song's origins.

Unfortunately, their journey leads them to a series of eccentric interviewees who are intended to be quirky and engaging, but instead, the mock interviews feel like a disorganized collection of meaningless dialogue, reminiscent of an amateur film project lacking creativity.

The lead actors seem to have been directed to maintain a casual demeanor, which they do to an irritating extent, often seen idly with a dog that appears just as uninspired as they are, either discussing the song or staring blankly at the walls.

This couple's interactions are as dull as a day off for a barber and his apprentice. To emphasize the film's supposed seriousness, it concludes with a lengthy black-and-white segment depicting impoverished individuals foraging for edible roots, which feels disconnected from the earlier narrative.

If there is a thematic link between searching for roots in the ground and tracing the origins of a song, it remains unclear. Pattth stands out as one of the most pretentious and unengaging films I have encountered in recent times.