4 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: JANAKI VISHWANAATHAN
ACTOR: RAMESH ARAVIND
ACTRESS: BABY SHWETHA, KOUSALYA
MUSIC DIRECTOR: ILAYARAJA
STORYLINE:
Kutty (Baby Shwetha) comes to town to work at the home of Ramesh Aravind and Kousalya. Though treated kindly by these two, she is tormented by their son and Ramesh Aravind's mother.
A flashback reveals that she is the daughter of a poor farmer (Nasser), now deceased, and that the only thing he wanted in the world for her was to get an education.
Kutty is treated viciously, and eventually decides she wants to escape. But a surprise (and a heart-breaking ending) are the end result.
COMMENTS:
Wow. As of right now, Kutty is hands-down the Best Picture of the Year. The year has been woefully mediocre, with a whole lot of 2 out of 4's, and Kutty leaves them all in the dust.
Kutty can be considered an Indian independent film. With a low- key cast and not much commercial interest, it's guaranteed not to run very well (most people will never even hear of it). That's a shame.
Kutty has a point, and makes its point effectively well. The point is not only mistreatment of servants, but the ending makes an even more heart-breaking statement.
All the actors do their jobs neatly. Leading them is Baby Shwetha, who is perfect as the title character. Vivek in a mostly non-comic role also does wonders as a nearby shop owner.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
The songs are not that great, but do provide some great background to the film.
RECOMMENDATION:
Watch this film. You'd be hard-pressed to find it running at any theater, but watch it whichever way you can. It's heart-breaking and sad, but still absolutely wonderful.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN