Comedy provides the zest for life, and `Gulumal-The Escape’ does magnetise your mind. All the essential rudiments cart together in the film and lift the overall quality. Previously, V K Prakash’s movies, other than ‘Punaradivasam’, have raised our eyebrows, as they lacked substance. His movies like `Mullavalliyum Thenmavum,’ `Police,’ `Moonnamathoral’ and `Positive’ are a few instances. But `Gulumal’ redeems his name to an extent; thanks to the original version - `Nine Queens’ - an Argentine movie, which is the inspiration behind `Gulumal.’
The story revolves round two
fraudsters Jerry (Jayasurya) and Ravi Varma (Kunchacko Boban) who meet by chance at a supermarket. From there both decide to work together. With an idiotic cop- Shambhu (Suraj Venjaramoodu)- following them, the cat and mouse game begins. But things take a grave twist with a one-shot proposal apparently falling into the fraudsters’ laps- the sale of a rare Raja Ravi Varma painting.
The plan solidifies when Jerry’s sister Saira (Mitra Kurian) gets caught up in the entire deal. Funny scenes and gags are only half the battle. The quintessence lies in the plot with a splendid twist, and that’s where Jayasurya, Kunchacko Boban and Mitra Kurian excel. This is one of Jayasurya’s fine performances. The last 40 minutes are gripping and well shot by Prakash. Made out of a nominal budget of Rs 80 lakh and shot with 2HD cameras, `Gulumal’ is an experiment that succeeded. Camerawoman Fowzia Fathima and music director Manu Rameshan also did their jobs well. Gulumal works not because it has a strong message, but because it is a smart entertainer.