Last updated: 8 May 2026


Army
Malayalam · Action, Comedy, Drama
2h 39m · 1 Sept 2003
Writer: Reji Nair
Ratings
Our Rating
2.25
Pattalam revolves around the lives of a group of army men and their interpersonal relationships, focusing on themes of camaraderie, love, and sacrifice. The narrative explores the emotional and professional challenges faced by the characters, weaving in elements of friendship and duty. The story delves into the complexities of human emotions against the backdrop of military life, highlighting personal conflicts and resolutions.
Pattalam offers a heartfelt exploration of friendship and duty within the military setting, anchored by a strong ensemble cast. The screenplay is structured to balance emotional depth with moments of lightheartedness, though the pacing in the first half is steady and engaging, setting up character arcs effectively. The second half intensifies the drama, bringing forth conflicts and resolutions that resonate emotionally.
The film's narrative is supported by Lal Jose's direction, which maintains a consistent tone throughout. However, the absence of standout songs and a memorable background score slightly diminishes the overall impact, as the music does not significantly elevate the storytelling. The cinematography captures the essence of the military environment well, adding authenticity to the visual experience.
Overall, Pattalam is a sincere attempt to portray the lives of army personnel with emotional sincerity, though it could have benefited from a more dynamic soundtrack and tighter pacing in parts. The film remains a respectable addition to Malayalam cinema, especially for audiences interested in character-driven dramas.
Mammootty: Delivering a nuanced and commanding portrayal, Mammootty anchors the film with his strong screen presence and emotional depth.
Biju Menon: Provides solid support with a natural and convincing performance, complementing the lead effectively.
Indrajith Sukumaran: Offers a sincere and engaging performance that adds layers to the ensemble.
Tessa Joseph: Delivers a restrained and fitting portrayal within her role.
Jyothirmayi: Contributes well with a subtle and expressive performance.
Innocent: Brings light moments with his characteristic charm and timing.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Lal Jose's direction is steady and focused, successfully bringing out the emotional core of the story. His handling of the ensemble cast ensures balanced screen time and character development, though the film occasionally suffers from pacing issues that affect engagement.
No rating sources available.
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 60% |
| Neutral | 25% |
| Negative | 15% |
The film received mixed to positive reviews, with critics appreciating the performances and emotional storytelling but noting the lack of memorable music and occasional pacing issues. The audience response was generally favorable among fans of Malayalam drama films.
Final Box-Office Result
Pattalam released on 1 September 2003 (2003).
Pattalam is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Pattalam is available on Jio Cinema, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.
Pattalam directed by Lal Jose. Produced by Sudhish, Subair.
Pattalam stars Mammootty, Biju Menon, Indrajith Sukumaran, Tessa Joseph, Jyothirmayi.
Tollybo rates Pattalam 2.25/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Pattalam — Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Runtime: 159 minutes, Language: Malayalam.