01. LEC052007. 'Joji' and 'Macbeth'

 

Anagha Nair

Dr. Joseph Koyippally

LEC 5016

09 June 2021

Joji: A Search for Macbeth in the Lush Plains of Kerala

Adaptations of Shakespeare plays into silver screen can be considered as a whole different genre containing movies that successfully and wonderfully adapt the stories of the plays receiving instant applause from the Shakespeare enthusiasts, to the movies that slightly make these enthusiasts raise their eyebrows because of its modern approaches and resultant moving away from the main plot. Joji that came out in 2021 from the Malayalam film industry is one such eyebrow raiser. Celebrated as “the first major film of the covid-19 pandemic” (Brody), Dileesh Pothan, the director makes it clear at the very beginning that his work is more of an inspiration than an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth; but the raised eyebrow still remains raised even after the 1 hour 53 minutes reel time. 

Joji (Fahadh Faasil), the titular character is the youngest of the three sons of Panachel Kuttapan, a rich landlord. Panachel Kuttapan is equally feared and respected by his sons –Jomon (Baburaj), Jaison (Sunny P N) and Joji, daughter-in-law Bincy (Unnimaya Prasad), Jomon’s son Popy (Alister Alex) and, anyone and everyone who knows the stubbornness in Panachel Kuttapan’s ways and decisions. When Kuttapan is hospitalized after having a stroke, gaining courage from his sister-in-law’s repeated remarks about the incompetency of the sons in the family, Joji plots to murder his father. Bincy’s silent approval and Joji’s good-for-nothing tags helps him in the act. The Panachel family shocked by the sudden demise of their father who was recovering fast, tries in vain to shut down the rumours of patricide that is going amidst their neighbours and friends. Joji’s excellent plan to how the property should be divided amongst the siblings makes him the most reasonable member in the family, though Bincy is aware of the cunningness that Joji hides beneath his mask of modesty. However overcome by fear that his crime will be exposed he kills his elder brother Jomon, when the latter advances to question Joji’s hand in the death of their father. Joji realizing that his cover will be blown after Jomon’s death, confesses to Jaison about killing his father and brother, and Bincy’s silent involvement in the death of Kuttapan. Joji’s final attempt to escape from the society that brought out only the evil in him falters with his attempt to suicide gone vain.

Joji set in Kerala and speaking about inheritance feud inside a family is far removed from the Scottish nobility in Macbeth. While there is the three witches (mis)guiding Macbeth, the witches in Joji resides inside Joji as his vices. While the usurper is usurped and killed in Macbeth, Joji doesn’t embrace death- it wasn’t guilt that made him to attempt suicide but his fear. Joji’s desire to be the non-prodigal son and his ambition to prove his potentials is manipulated by Bincy who is similar to Lady Macbeth who manipulates Macbeth into regicide. The limited yet powerful dialogues and her loud silence makes Bincy a character well woven, and her unwillingness to feel guilty makes her a stronger version of Lady Macbeth. Bincy is nothing less than a house-help in the big house. There are no scenes in the movie where one can actually find someone caring for her- be it her husband, brothers-in-law or her father-in-law. She is often seen doing household chores without complaining, even when her husband who is afraid to draw money from the family’s(his father’s) account, meets the expenses in the house and hospital with Bincy’s share. Her desire for liberation from the mundane day today routine in Panachel house and her want to free herself and her husband from the rigid joint family system that does nothing but suffocates her and curbs her freedom, justifies the statement she makes when she walks away even after finding Joji doing the undoable. Thus Bincy’s cold approach and deep dialogues that never fails to hit and scar the person she addresses, makes her character stand out from the rest.

There are no characters in Joji who are perfect adaptations of Shakespeare’s characters. Yet a person who is adamant to locate Banquo, Fleance, Macduff in Joji’s world can find inconsistent shades of these characters in the film. Joji sheds his fear he had felt for his father just like Macbeth, who makes up his mind and kills his king. What that is bloody in Macbeth becomes chemical and medical in Joji. While Macbeth kills his friend Banquo, Joji commits fratricide. Without the tag of Shakespeare adaptation, Joji stands as a well-executed movie addressing social issues and bringing into light the true nature of people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Brody, Richard. ““Joji,” Reviewed: The First Major Film of the Covid-19 Pandemic”, The New Yorker, 1 June 2021, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/joji-reviewed-the-first-major-film-of-the-covid-19-pandemic. Accessed 6 June 2021.

Joji. Directed by Dileesh Pothan, Performance by Fahadh Faasil and Unnimaya Prasad. Bhavana Studios, Working Class Hero and Fahadh Faasil and Friends, 2021. Amazon Prime Video.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. USA: Spark Notes, 2005. Print.