Patriot TamilYogi Review: At one point in the beginning, a minister just says that he has a report to file before he undergoes a minor surgery. It appears like an incidental inclination but one that defines Patriot in a silent manner. The movie starts with a tranquilized surface but there is something off about it that is gradually increasing. There, Mahesh Narayan manages to create an introductory half filled with a tight and twisting twist where surveillance, suspicion, and unexpected death overlap in a way that is both provoking and at the same time, timely. The introduction of Mammootty refines the story more making it a tense quest of power and truth. This is however not a permanent precision. As the movie grows, it relies on the more reliable options, slowly defusing the tension that it has painstakingly created. What begins as an authoritative and captivating gradually evolves into the much more foreseeable.
The narrative presents Rajeev Mannan, who is a minister with immense powers that run a department that monitors technology in surveillance. Shortly, he is challenged by another minister, Revathi, who insists that he is abusing the system and that he has to be investigated. She tells him about her minor surgery that she is about to have and requests him to provide a report before she comes back. The arrangement is very quiet and effective in its tension. After being admitted to the hospital, Revathi contacts a close technical advisor, played by Mammootty. She describes what is happening and encourages him to do research. At this point, the story takes a twist. Revathi is killed the very next day in rather suspicious circumstances. The character of Mammootty is instantly aware that it is not a natural death and he goes to work. The movie takes a turn into a cat and mouse game when Rajeev Mannan realizes it.
The initial part, lasting almost ninety minutes, is thoroughly engaging. It is paced tightly, and there is a technical finesse present. The movie is very confident in its ability to create suspense, and is very polished and controlled. Technological use, the air of paranoia, and the political undertones all leave the viewer wanting more. At this point, Patriot seems confident, as though it knows well its subject and its audience.
The second half, though, heads in another direction. The story starts to veer into old familiar after Mohanlal enters. It does not build tension but rather uses common tropes. It becomes somewhat less of a story and the attempt to balance the star-power of Mammootty and Mohanlal is more evident. Their communication is artificial and not natural and in many cases, it reminds them of admiration of each other. Such sequences undermine the gravity that the film had created previously.
Being a spy thriller, the movie can be compared to a number of English-language productions. Although it does not directly copy any one particular story, some influences cannot be left out. In some instances, the background music can be reminiscent of the James Bond movies with it having a familiar but a little bit derivative sound. It also has a scene that reminds Red, heating bullets on a frying pan is less of homage and more imitation.
The cast is definitely a sturdy ensemble, with Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Rajiv Menon, and Revathi. Both of them perform a good job, and there are not many characters that can impress. The text lacks sufficient depth and the majority of the characters are archetypal, a corrupt minister, an investigator with moral motives and stereotypical supporting characters. The character of Nayanthara, especially, seems underdeveloped and redundant in the bigger story.
The movie is technically impressive. The camera work is smooth, the visual effects are refined and the music is supporting the tone, although it sometimes resorts to common tropes. The quality of production is an indication of a major investment, which is evident in almost every frame. The film does not feel compromised in any way in terms of appearance or sound.
Finally, Patriot is a movie that seems to have partitioned into two different parts. The former is captivating, keen and promising. The second gets used to the routine and becomes uncontrollable in its narration. It is also worth following due to its great start and technical advantages, but it fails to create an impression. In the end, it is a mediocre experience that can and should have been much more powerful in the second half, with better writing.
Rating: 2.5/5
