Kuruthi - God's Own Country

 

Kuruthi

2021, Malayalam

Director - Manu Warrier 

Stars - Prithviraj Sukumaran, Roshan Mathew, Shine Tom Chacko, Mamukoya, Srindaa

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kuruthi in Malayalam is religious slaughter, the offering of an animal to God to seek atonement for one's sins.  The animals in this movie are two-legged and speak, and there is no brutality held back in showing how much homo sapiens are the only species of life that enjoys killing their own.

Indeed, Satan can possess the mind and heart of anyone at any time, with the slightest excuse.  In the case of this movie, such evil uses something which man created as a means to achieving peace, religion.

Kuruthi reveals to us a Kerala which we don't want to see.  Seasoned actor Prithviraj shows us a side of his acting skills we are amazed to see.   He is a zealous fanatic, a power hungry madman, seeking to avenge the death of an old man who gets caught in the never-ending street battle between Hindus and Muslims.  If there is civility to be found, it is in a simple Muslim family who knows better, but doesn't know how to achieve it.

Shine Tom Chaco gives a brilliant performance as a lonely and stoic man who struggles between humanity and religion.  He is in love with his Hindu neighbor, empathizes with a Hindu extremist, yet his response to defend his promise is uniquely Muslim.

The message of the movie is clear and direct; disobeying your religion may not lead you to God, but it certainly gives you room to be a better human being.