Salt Mango Tree Review

2014 saw an unexpected blockbuster from really an unexpected corner. Yes, no one was really expecting that a blockbuster success will come from a debut director like Jibu Jacob and that too by coming with a film starring Biju Menon in the lead role. Biju Menon is one of the most popular actors we have who has enormous talent in him. But before he was always seen in roles as a supporting actor and we did not expect him to come as the male lead in a film. But with the film Vellimoonga directed by Jibu Jacob, he came as hero and conquered the Malayali hearts. Now Biju Menon is all set to strike gold at box office with another film released today. It is titled as Salt Mango Tree and is directed by Rajesh Nair.

The phrase Salt Mango Tree is popular in Kerala as it was a hilarious dialogue from complete actor Mohanlal in the film named Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam which released years ago. He says it as the English word for Uppma. But that also indicates the inability to understand English language and people began to use it widely to denote those who don’t know English properly or who use English in a scratchy manner.

The plot of the film revolves around the family of Aravind T P who is a medical shop owner. His wife Priya works as an accountant in a private firm and they have a 5 year-old son, Manu. From the beginning of the film we are shown the efforts of Aravind and Priya to get admission of their child in the first standard in any leading English medium school in the city. Aravind is liberal in his approach in contrast to his wife Priya’s approach to the whole situation. Because they fails to get admission many times because of their inability to speak English.

Direction by Rajesh Nair and screenplay is by Vinod, who really maintained a good standard. They never stretched the story too long and the humor flavor in which they narrated the story really went well with the audience. The film discussed a relevant subject in the current society and throws light to the competition between parents to get their children admitted in popular schools. It also shows us the attitude of school managements which value the education and financial position of the parents more than the talent of children.

Biju Menon once again sizzled as Aravind, it was his witty expressions and comic numbers which was the highlight of the film. Lakshmi Chandramauli played the character Priya and she done it beautifully as well. Kanaran Harish was super as the medical shop attender.The DOP by Vishnu Sharma was very good and Bijipal once again proved that he is one among the best when it comes to creating music which makes us feel nostalgic. Soorej’s editing was also good as it made the film to move forward without much lagging. The performance of artists such as Suhasini, Indrans, Sunil Sugatha, Sudheer Karamana, Vijay Menon, Sarayu, Raghavan, Kottayam Pradeep, Saiju Kuruppu etc were good and they neatly done their portions. Except from the cliché family scenes that scattered throughout the film, there is not much negatives in this film.

In total Salt Mango Tree is a feel good and decent entertainer which make you think as well as laugh. It is not an extra ordinary ride but a ride through the life of the lives of an ordinary man and his family.

Director : Rajesh Nair
Release Date : 6/11/2015
Cast : Biju Menon, Lakshmi Chandramauli

Review : Harikrishnan