01. LEC052028. Appreciation of the regional adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

 

Appreciation of the regional adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth:  Joji

 

Macbeth enjoys a prominent position among the four major tragedies of William Shakespeare for its gruesome portrayal of tragic fate of the protagonist Macbeth who was devoured by “Vaulting Ambition” (Mac.1.7.27). The universal nature of evil and the tragic flaw inherent in all human beings make Macbeth a play for all nations and all ages. Right from its first performance in 1606 to present times, Macbeth has been adapted into different forms and to various cultures. The Malayalam movie Joji directed by Dileesh Pothan and released in 2021 is one among the numerous regional movies influenced by or adapted from the play Macbeth.

The movie Joji, a black comedy, written by Syam Pushkaran cannot be called an adaptation but has taken influence from the play. At an interview given by the director Dileesh Pothan to The Cue he says, “The film Joji cannot be considered an adaptation of Macbeth. The plot of the play Macbeth in its complete sense has not been used in the film. The film was an attempt to recreate the experience I had, while watching the play Macbeth on stage or while reading the text of Macbeth, through an independent film” (Narayanan 2.50- 3:13).

Joji casts Fahad Fasil as Joji Panachel, the main character from whom the title for the film is taken. He is an engineering drop-out and resides with his family in a vast home surrounding by a plantation. Other main characters include Bincy, sister-in-law to Joji, his father Panachel Kuttappan, brothers Jomon and Jaison, and his nephew Poppy. The story revolves around Joji who is the youngest of the three sons of Kuttappan, a wealthy landowner and a patriarch. Compelled to live under the dominating Kuttapan, Bincy and Joji is dissatisfied. A liberation from his clutches is hoped for, when it seems that Kuttapan might not survive having been hospitalized after a stroke, only to be disappointed. Joji, the youngest who is often looked down upon, kills his father by replacing his medicines. Later, at a moment when his crime was about to be revealed, he murders his brother Jomon. When the autopsy report reveals pellets in the body of Jomon, Joji is suspected. He attempts suicide but fails and is paralyzed. The film ends with the scene where Joji denies committing the murder when questioned by police.

The film has several similarities and differences with the play Macbeth. From both the play and film being named after its title character to the tragical end of the protagonists, several similarities can be traced. The characters in the film like Totta Sudhi, Bincy, Jomon, Poppy, Kuttappan and Dr. Felix resembles Malcolm, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Fleance, Duncan and the witches in the play. The nightmares Joji has can be compared to the illusion of Dagger that Macbeth sees. While the dagger symbolizes the crime committed by Macbeth, fishing rod used by Joji constantly reminds him of this heinous act.

Although such likeness to the play can be perceived, as Dileesh Pothan says, Joji cannot be considered an adaptation for the plot has not been used in its complete sense. While the two murders committed by Joji resembles that of Macbeth’s, the play includes other murders too, Macbeth killing the guards being one. Also, it was not the ambition to acquire the position of his father that compelled Joji to murder Kuttappan. Instead, it was the humiliation that physical abuse faced by him that forced him into doing the crime. A major difference from the play can be perceived here. While Duncan in Macbeth is a compassionate paternal figure, Joji brings in a dominating father under whom other family members survive. Bincy, who like Lady Macbeth, influence the protagonist to commit the crime, on the other hand is not directly linked to the murder. She is a silence witness to the murder and is seen as guarding the room while Joji exchanges the medicine. The localization of the setting of the film makes it more relatable.

Keeping apart the differences and similarities with the play Macbeth, Joji as a film has succeeded in engaging the audience through the brilliant cinematography, sharp portrayal of characters and a disturbing background score. When analyzed independent of its resemblance with the play, Joji can be termed a success.

 

References:

 

Narayanan, Manish M. “Dileesh Pothan.” YouTube, 31 Mar. 2021.

Pothan, Dileesh. Joji. Amazon Prime Video, 2021.

Shakespeare, William, et al. Macbeth. Cambridge University Press, 2012.