In the realm of films that try to have meaningful conversations with their audience, there exists a gap between ‘trying hard’ and ‘trying too hard’, where the charm of effort disintegrates into desperation. Unfortunately, Halitha Shameem’s Minmini crosses this gap with such aggressive self-indulgence. The film has the inherent charm of an almost-decade-long production, actors who grow up on-camera, picturesque visuals, and a refreshing premise. However, all of that crumbles by the corrosive effect of the film’s desperate attempts to connect with the audience through half-baked philosophy and didactic storytelling.
The first half revolves around a boarding school in Ooty, following a group of school kids. And without a warning, the second half pushes us into the sprawling, magnificent landscape of the Himalayas, as we follow two of the school kids, now adults, as they bike across the mountain range. The first half is noticeably more amateurish, in both the performances and filmmaking. However, it is still fairly engaging. Paari (Gaurav Kalai), everyone’s favourite student in the school, bullies the new kid on the block, Sabari (Praveen Kishore), and they eventually become friends, as is tradition. The cumulative effect of several small filmmaking touches makes sure that Paari doesn’t come across as an evil bully and it is also believable when the two eventually become friends. The filmmaker uses Khatija Rahman’s music to overstate every single emotional beat. Despite an overwhelming soundtrack, it is easy to spot that the music is largely pleasant and it could have worked well with a measured grip from the director.
We are already aware of the change in dynamics between Paari and Sabari, but the film goes the extra length to spell it out through certain scenes, like when Halitha fills the entire screen with a quote that reads, “All great friendships start on a note of rivalry.” While it starts off with the tone of a feel-good story, the first half of the film ends like a PSA Public Service Announcement video.
The second half is filled with the breathtaking visuals of the Himalayan range, which feel like a breath of fresh air after all the melodrama. Here, the film cuts to the core theme of how guilt ties a person to their past. Here, Minmini professes its themes, philosophies, and outlook on life through Praveena’s perspective. However, the pop philosophy is delivered through simplistic, Tumblr-era quotes like “We are all stardust”.
Towards the end, Sabari confesses to a group of fellow bikers that he doesn’t really have a destination in mind and is only driving aimlessly around the Himalayan range. The important difference between Sabari and the film is that he is aware of his aimlessness, while the film is not. Minimini is still a refreshing departure from the onslaught of hyper-violent films in recent times. The setting, the story, the visuals, and even the indulgent pace are inviting until the story is squandered to leave way for didactic lessons about life and self-acceptance.
Director: Halitha Shameem
Cast: Praveen Kishore, Esther Anil, Gaurav Kalai