1983 (2014) Reviews

• A Story of a man called Rameshan and his love for the game Cricket ! He recaptures his aim with his son! :)

  georgyalan2014-03-17

  Id give this film a 10 on 10! Just because the story is told very nicely and it is such an inspiring film! One of the finest from Malayalam movie industry! <3! I don't know..Maybe i became a fan of Nivin Pauly after watching 1983! He did that role perfectly.. :) First as a teenage kid ..then as a father ! The Film is said in a funny way. :) After watching the trailer, I thought it would be an ordinary sports movie like Sevens,Goal etc.But Oh my Oh my,Mr Shine has given us a gem of a movie! :) There are several messages from the movie! One of em i got was to be a sports person,you need the support of your parents,relatives and friends! Midway, you will understand that playing isn't everything in our life ..At the end,you will get that There is also importance in playing! :) Anyway an excellent movie!!With nice songs! No Adultery! No Dual meaning dialogs!No alocohol!10/10! :)

• Of wishes and dreams

  sesht2014-02-23

  An endearing work of love that focuses on the story and its characters rather than getting from points A to B to C and so forth. Being touted as a sports drama, this is more about family, attachments, dreams and their fulfillment (incl. unrealized ones), desires and passion. it also overtly keeps playing about the hero-worship and fan mentality we have collectively as a country, but does so affectionately, never talking down to us, or subjecting its protagonists to a pretentious judgment, something that could have so easily slipped in a lesser director's hands, or the hands of its fantastic cast. Another call-out needs to be made to the attention that has been paid to period detail, right from the production design, that's not in-your-face, to makeup, that makes us believe the age-transitions that all of its main characters go through, without letting up on the storytelling aspect of it, something that even great movies like 'American Hustle' (IMO - and here come those brickbats) failed in accomplishing (I'm looking at the first scene that called attention to the superb makeup, as well as commitment to character in Bale's prep for the role, but then I digress). Nivin Pauly (to me) fresh off 'Ohm Shanthi Oshaana', where he admirably played second fiddle to a fantastic character essayed by Nazim, and held his own nonetheless, takes on a totally different character, and underplays it to perfection. Playing the teen who's just idolizing his cricket-gods, letting time and the chance of an education slip away without realizing his ambitions (not helped by a typically unsupportive family), he's extremely believable, and to me, struck (painfully?) close to home (having been through similar life-experiences - like I'm sure most of the movie's intended audience has. And oh, the intended audience is sizable). During the credits of both this movie and 'Ohm..', I confess feeling a sense of trepidation when I saw an acknowledgment to this fantastic actor's fan association, but I needn't have worried that all that hero-worship would mean a typical B/Tollywood-level sellout. Not. One. Bit. I promise I won't be worried next time - this is one chap who chooses his roles wisely, and is not scared. He plays the (not really) errant child, devoted yet casual lover, dejected loner, typical spouse and one hell of a devoted parent. The music was a tad loud, but I confess getting into the spirit of things gradually that I forgot when the cacophony became bearable, such is the power of Shine's storytelling. From among the songs, 'Nenjile' stands out, but this is more about the movie and its characters and their bonding and their dreams and their camaraderie. Nostalgia freaks, this is YOUR movie. Enjoy it, on a big screen, and yeah, I didn't need subtitles.

• One of the best Indian sports movies probably...

  praveen772014-08-28

  A finely crafted, nuanced tale of a cricket obsessed youth in a cricket obsessed nation with some beautiful cinematography of the lush landscapes of a village in Kerala. The sense of nostalgia this may evoke in those who have lived in similar setting is enough to recommend this movie. But, on the other hand, this is also a carefully plotted coming of age tale of youthful desires, the slow progress of adulthood and reality and opportunities lost as well as eventual redemption. There are no real villains here apart from the gradually encroaching tentacles of time, but this is an example of the recent breed of Malayalam Cinema's new age creators at their best. Nivin Pauly is an actor who never really convinced me till now, but this year he seems to be coming into his own with some delightful turns. Add in some fabulous supporting actors and great technical aspects, and we have a real winner here. And, as with all great sports movies, you can be totally immersed in this even if cricket is not your cup of tea.

• 1983… a great treat to watch…it hits a sixer…

  binducherungath2014-03-19

  1983, has captured the euphoria of cricket so efficiently and effectively. It is indeed a great treat to the country that eats, drinks, breaths and sleeps cricket. The beginning note of the movie itself is power packed with the 1983 Cricket World Cup victory in the backdrop, jubilation in a remote village Brahmamangalam in Kerala, supported with great musical score in the background. Rameshan, a 10 year old boy, remained glued to the television to watch the match and the victory sparked a new passion within him for the sport. There is a beautiful scene where this boy while playing cricket along with his friends falls in the field and for the first time he notices the dew drop, its freshness and beauty. It shows how the sport and the cricket ground became the entire universe for Rameshan who started living cricket. The grown up Rameshan is played by Nivin Pauly, another great performance by him. He grew to be a great batsman who gave mesmerizing shots at the local club matches along with Pappan (Saiju Kurup), Babukuttan (Sanju), Saji (Dinesh), Prahladan (Neeraj Madhav), Mantle Johny (Kalavbhavan Prajod), Varkey, Chandru, Basheer forming the rest of the gang. Rameshan's whole focus was to practice and play matches; academics and even his love interest Manjula (played by Nikki Galrani, who looked very fresh on screen) took a back seat. Meanwhile the passage of the decades is smoothly shown through visuals of India's defeat at the world cup matches, which followed thereafter, movie poster of Chitram… Harikrishnans…on the walls, b/w television sets to colour television sets and the historical 2011 Cricket World cup victory. A bit of drag was felt towards the end of the first half, since it seemed like the movie is shifting its focus from the main frame of sport into domestic things. It was painful to see a great player Rameshan settling down to his disillusioned father Gopi's (Joy Mathew) mechanical shop, but then also, it was delight to watch him hitting brilliant sixers during local club matches. Srinda Ashab essayed the role of his on screen wife Susheela very naturally, innocently and certain scenes of hers were full of humour. The pace again picked up in the second half where Rameshan sees the fire in his son Kannan. There starts the journey of the father Rameshan in living his passion and I must say Nivin Pauly excelled even as a forty year old man. Vijay Menon (Anoop Menon) as a cricket coach is very impressive, who is sharp to understand the talents of the young boys, disciplined and empathetic. Rest of the movie is woven around how Rameshan chases his dreams through his son. Certain father-son moments actually gave a lump in my throat. Jacob Gregory as Sachin's namesake, though in a short frame in a cameo, creates an impact through his performance. All other supporting cast and child artists have also given great performances. Fashion Photographer turned director Abrid Shine actually shines through his debut film. A great work by him. He is flawless as a story teller with his minute detailing. Screenplay by Abrid and Bibin Chandran has elements of humour, sadness, disappointment, hope, passion, dreams, innocence, expectations, joy etc. The movie seems to be a dedication to the living legend Mr. Sachin Tendulkar whose emotional good bye speech had a message (his father's advice to him), which was – "Chase your dreams but make sure you don't find short cuts". Indeed, a beautiful message… Cinematographer Pradeesh Verma has captured the beauty of the village very nicely. Yes, it indeed seems to be part of God's own country. Editing by Manoj is also very sharp and appropriate. Gopi Sundar has done amazing music. The song "Olanajali kuruvi..." sung by P Jayachandran and Vani Jairam is so melodious. Background music is also full of life. "Thallvettam Kanumba…" is also full of positive energy.

• Thought to be a very good film

  divyakurian2019-01-04

  The song and the trailer made it look as if its the next big blockbuster. What I expected was something and what the movie was was another thing. It was an average movie. Nivin whose a cricket fan as well a good player couldn't play cricket but after marriage he fulfills his dream through his child. The problems that he had to face was one and how he makes the dream possible is another.