The idea of revenge needs a gruesome incident, deep hurt, a transformed mind and a life that has nothing to loose to support the act. Does 'Kanal' have these is a question that looms. In a word, the answer would be 'no'. There are all these flashbacks and backstories which tries to justify the revenge. But somehow the events all fall short.
The plot progresses with a meeting of two people, John David, an animator and Anantharaman on a train journey. A philosophical John attracts the attention of the gloomy Anantharaman. They have a link in the narrative. John's back story is one that interests. But whether the incidents prove enough to change John is questionable.
Mohanlal's eyes - the angst, the love was the one feature that attracted in the posters and songs. Again, the movie too highlights this and he has brilliantly emoted with his eyes. He has also got some stellar philosophical dialogues in the movie. Anoop Menon too has done well. Sheelu Abraham also does her role neatly. There is a huge supporting cast which on hindsight does not have much prominence in the narrative.
The problem with the script is that there is too much promised and little delivered. It veers to the cliched and as the climax unfolds, there is the usual justification of a crime committed. Then, what is revealed as the situation which led to the crime being committed, just takes away all that build up the narrative had been trying to achieve. In the end, the movie just fades into predictable lines and ends up as a cliched revenge drama.
Padmakumar has really worked to present a neat drama. The unrealistic kind of sequences at times can be a hindrance for few. Except for diehard Mohanlal fans, 'Kanal' in the end does not have enough heat or fire.
Rating - 2/5
