Thoppil Joppan movie review: Right mix of fun, booze and romance

Cast: Mammootty, Mamta Mohandas, Andrea Jeremiah, Renji Panicker, Salim Kumar
Director: Johny Antony

When you go to watch a film, there is no point in comparing it with another one. But, it is natural that an ordinary filmgoer wants to choose whichever is likely to be a better bet. Mammooty’s latest venture Thoppil Joppen’s intention is not to disappoint such a viewer.

The film starts by showing the teenage years of Thoppan alias Joppan alias Thoppil Joppan. He is one of the leading players in the Kabaddi team of his village and has many fans. His main hobby is following Annie. Though she also falls for him, that relationship becomes a big issue in his house. He decides to leave his house, to earn enough money before marrying his lady love. She agrees to wait for him but unfortunately, she shifts to Mettupalayam along with her mother and younger brother, following the demise of her dad.

Years later, Joppan (Mammootty) returns to his village in a Maharashtra registered Benz, with loads of money. Though he goes to Mettupalayam in search of Annie (Andrea), he ends up as a witness to her engagement ceremony at a church there. This becomes a shock for him and he starts consuming alcohol and becomes a ‘rich-drunkard’, in fact the only one of his area. Even though his family and his friends persuade him to marry another girl, he doesn’t. Now arrives on the scene young doctor Maria (Mamtha) to his place in connection with a medical camp.

The rest of the story deals with his reformation. One of the main highlights of the film is its treatment. The director could come up with a humorous entertainer, built upon an usual storyline. Screenwriter Nishad Koya has brought interesting twists that make it a laugh riot. The characterisation of Joppan’s friends (essayed by Alencier, Sohan Seenulal, Saju Navodaya and Sreejith Ravi) is also interesting.

Meanwhile, the director could have either cast a Malayali actress or ensured a better dubbed track for Annie’s role. Some songs were also not in tune with the storyline, though they are fine for promotion purposes.

Through his character Father Issac Vaalambarambil, Salim Kumar has made a brilliant comeback. Like his previous Achayan roles, Mammootty’s Joppan also will be a memorable character in his career. Actors Sohan, Alencier, Mamtha, Jude Anthany Joseph and Saju have come up with good performances. Cinematographer Sunoj and music director Vidyasagar also have backed the director to come up with a clean family entertainer.