Kaathal The Core Review: Mammootty's film on homosexuality is path-breaking

When a megastar like Mammootty, who is at the last phase of his career, reinvents himself through his stories, you understand his passion for cinema. At 72, he shouldered a film on homosexuality (Kaathal - The Core) as an actor and producer. It's a statement. Not just for superstars of his age but also for the entire film fraternity. Let's find out what 'Kaathal - The Core' is all about.

Mathew Devassy (Mammootty) and Omana (Jyotika) are parents to 19-year-old daughter Femi. They live together with Mathew's father. One day, after a prayer at church, Matthew decides that he'd contest in a ward election. Two days after he files his nomination, Omana's case against him seeking divorce comes up for hearing in court. She alleges that Mathew is a homosexual and has a long-standing relationship with driver Thankan. Will Matthew deny it? Is Omana doing this to sabotage Mathew's political career? Will Omana's divorce be granted? All these questions are answered over two hours.

With 'The Great Indian Kitchen', he proved his mettle as a director. And now, with 'Kaathal - The Core', he took it up a notch. Handling a film on homosexuality, which is still considered taboo despite the country legalising it, is itself a bold move. And when a film advocates for the rights of LGBTQIA+ with sensitivity, it's even better. On top of it, a superstar like Mammootty headlining 'Kaathal - The Core' makes it one of the best films of 2023.

'Kaathal - The Core' is all about homosexual people struggling to come out and how society treats them. The film showed all things love and their acceptance. Omana and Matthew do not have any animosity. Over the almost two-decade marriage life, she understands him and now wants to be free. She isn't seeking alimony, she just wants a divorce. And in the process, Matthew makes peace with his sexuality and acceptance of his father.

Here's the trailer:

The film becomes a courtroom drama in the second half and it's where these characters make us cry with their understanding of each other's struggle. 'Kaathal - The Core' is path-breaking, poignant and revolutionary. It's a film that projects the right lens on homosexuality and acceptance. It shows that they need not feel ashamed to be themselves in society. And Jyotika's Omana acts as a catalyst to make them realise that. She also realises that her last two decades have been wasted but comes to terms with it and moves on in life.

'Kaathal - The Core' sings beautifully because of the top performances of the cast. Mammootty deserves credit for playing this role at this age and also for green-lighting this project as a producer. Jyotika's subdued performance and her eyes do all the talking. Watch out for the sequence between Mammootty and Jyotika in the pre-climax and be ready with a tissue box. The actors who played the roles of Matthew's father and partner are equally good.

Not just performances, 'Kaathal - The Core' is technically strong as well. Be it cinematography by Salu K Thomas or editing by Francies Louis, they have delivered their best. 'Kaathal' would not be 'Kaathal' if not for Mathew Pulickan's lilting music that moves you.

'Kaathal - The Core' is not just about the coming out, it's also about how these characters move on in life after the divorce. The last shot is dedicated to all the LGBTQIA+ members.

4 out of 5 stars for 'Kaathal - The Core'.