Drishyam Vs GOD's Plan
- An Extrapolated Visual Insight !!!
Eat The Meat, Spare The Bones Movie Review Part - 1
First of all, this review is only for those who have watched both movies of the Drishyam series, so if you have not watched them yet, then you must do so now … Yes, right now! Drop everything and go watch it right now. You will never know what you are missing out on until you have seen these movies for yourself, and also, there are spoilers ahead. Most importantly, please watch the Malayalam versions of both these movies; no offense to anyone, but no actor can trump the subtle nuances that Mohanlal brings to his character in these movies – he has truly earned his title “The Complete Actor”. Everyone has done a splendid job, but one of the factors that set apart these Malayalam versions of Drishyam from its other language counterparts are the brilliant performances, skillfully executed by amazing, and talented actors like Meena, Ansiba Hassan, Siddique, Murali Gopy, Asha Sharath, and Esther Anil. Also, Jeethu Joseph’s story and his style of direction, and narration are rich in tradition, and it captures the true essence of the culture of Kerala. Jeethu skillfully incorporates several witty idioms and phrases in the dialogues throughout these two movies. These phrases are colloquial and inspired by the daily lives and culture of all Keralites. So, I paraphrase Mr. Wolf (Pulp Fiction) when I say, “Pretty please with sugar on top … Do watch these movies in Malayalam (with subtitles).”
Now, for all those who have seen both these movies, let’s get straight to the meat of the matter (Pun Intended). There are several hidden biblical insights in both these movies. I will be covering my combined views on both the movies in two separate parts. This is the first part, and also, a slightly longer one compared to the second part. This part will exclusively deal with a single but intense perspective, while the second part will deal with broader and traditional Christian parallels. The intense perspective in this part primarily focuses on a controversial impasse of whether it was fair for the Devil to be punished for his Sin, while mankind got away with their Sin, just because JESUS paid the price for them but not for the Devil. This at first may sound like, and quite possibly, is heresy but just for the sake of a better understanding, let us extrapolate this as the Devil’s advocate (I mean literally), by comparing parallels between the incidents in the Bible to the incidents in both the Drishyam movies. If you are someone, who gets easily offended or loves jumping to conclusions, I highly recommend you first read the disclaimers before reading the rest of the review. The disclaimers are at the end of this article.
The Devil Vs Varun
The Devil, formerly known as Lucifer, was a chief worship leader in heaven. In his vanity, he rebelled against the very Person he was worshipping – the Almighty GOD. His rebellion was done willingly of his own accord, and he was eventually punished for it by being banished out of heaven forever. Now he had also managed to get one-third of the heaven’s angels to join his rebellion against GOD, and consequently, they were all banished together with him. Considering the severity of Devil’s attempted coup d’état in heaven, one can determine that his act of rebellion was not an act of impulse but rather a well-planned strategy, and he was accordingly punished for the same.
Just like the Devil’s rebellion, Varun’s decision to violate Georgekutty’s daughter, Anju was also not just an act of impulsive passion but a well-planned strategy. This becomes apparent when Varun refuses to share the recording of Anjus’s deviously captured video with his friend, Alex. He clearly expresses his intentions to use it later to accomplish his true motive, which is shockingly revealed on the fateful night of August 2nd. However, Varun’s well-planned strategy takes a drastic turn, and he gets accidentally killed by the punishing blow of fate.
Adam and Eve Vs Rani and Anju
Adam and Eve, our first humans, were made in GOD’s image. Unfortunately, like the Devil, they too rebelled against their Creator by disobeying His commands. However, their rebellion was influenced by an act of deceit orchestrated by the Devil in the garden of Eden. Although the Devil had deceived them, their act of disobedience was still a sin/violation, and it was committed of their own free will, which made their offense punishable as well.
In Drishyam, Varun’s actions to violate Rani and Anju eventually lead to an accidental murder. Some may find the murder justifiable, especially since it was committed in self-defense, but when they go an extra mile to hide the body, it implies that their actions birthed out of a conscious free will, and hence, like Adam and Eve, their offense too was equally punishable.
JESUS CHRIST Vs Georgekutty
Being the children of Adam and Eve, we are GOD’s family, but the chain reaction of their First Sin and its subsequent consequences had equally doomed us all for the same unavoidable punishment, just like Adam and Eve. Knowing this, JESUS CHRIST, as the head of the family, stepped in to take the blame for all of humanity’s sins upon HIMSELF, even though He, Himself, had not committed any sins. He willingly suffered the punishment for all our sins by dying on the cross. Now, the only thing all humans need to do to be forgiven of their sins and stay safe is to put their 100% trust in JESUS and do whatever HE says. Thus, making humanity’s salvation a reality.
Georgekutty knew there will be consequences for the crime his family had committed by killing and hiding the body, and hence, like JESUS CHRIST, Georgekutty being the head of his family, decides to pay the price for the sins of his family by sacrificing his own life. He makes the salvation of his family the very purpose of his own existence. Since that fateful night and for years to come, Georgekutty commits himself to a life of constant pain, brewing tension, and silent suffering in exchange for the peace and safety of his family. He is constantly making preparations to safeguard his family from the judgment of the law while always striving to create an eventual safe haven for them. The only thing his family needs to do to stay safe is to put their 100% trust in Georgekutty and do whatever he says.
Jury Discussion
Based on the above parallels, do you believe GOD was unfair in saving humanity by paying the price for their sins HIMSELF while punishing the Devil for his sins? For centuries, scholars and philosophers from around the globe have meddled with this. Most definitely, the Drishyam series of movies does not attempt to answer this profound question; however, as we extrapolate the parallels we have drawn so far, we begin to understand the formidable truth and fairness in all of GOD’s actions.
Devil’s decision to sin against GOD was of his own will without any external influence. Further, the Devil did not repent from his First Sin, but he allowed his First Sin to fester, and in his eventual rebellion, he even got other angels to join him against GOD. Like the Devil, Varun too acted upon his own free will, without any external influence. He not only desired but he had also strategically planned the steps to violate Anju. Secondly, like the Devil, Varun refused to repent as well. When Rani requested Varun to spare her daughter, he, in turn, decides to violate Rani. Therefore, similar to the Devil’s eventual rebellion, resulting from the festering of his First Sin, Varun’s sinful actions also keep relentlessly abounding.
On the other hand, we have Adam and Eve, who are overwhelmed with guilt and remorse upon the realization of their First Sin, even though it was the Devil who had deceitfully influenced their act of rebellion. Varun’s sudden action to violate Rani creates a moment of frenzy, which influences the already tense situation, and culminates with Anju accidentally killing Varun. Upon realizing that the consequences of their actions have rendered Varun dead, both Rani and Anju are also overwhelmed with guilt and fear, just like Adam and Eve. So while Adam and Eve’s guilt and attempt to fix the consequences of their Sin, caused them to cover themselves in fig leaves, the scared and guilt-ridden Rani and Anju, attempt to fix the consequences of their Sin by burying Varun’s body in their yard. These attempted actions and the condition of their hearts indicate that both Rani and Anju, just like the first humans, Adam and Eve regretted their Sins, while the Devil and Varun reveled in their Sins.
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion, the fairness of GOD’s action to forgive humankind, and sacrifice HIMSELF for the punishment of all humans becomes much clearer. However, it does not stop there, for just as GOD continues to complete HIS work of salvation in our lives, similarly, since that fateful night, Georgekutty is seen consistently toiling to complete the work of salvation for his family. Although salvation through faith in JESUS CHRIST is free for all, the price and the responsibility of maintaining our faith are high. The work of the cross that saves all who believe in it is therefore absolutely fair, and no devil or accuser can find fault with it. And, just like Georgekutty and his family deny themselves and pick up the cross of their daily suffering and follow Georgekutty’s ways, we too must deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily, and follow JESUS and HIS ways.
Now the world, the Devil, and the consequences of our sins may aggravate our daily suffering in this life, just like the actions of Georgekutty’s family, the cops and some of their ill-wishers continued to torture them. Therefore, it might just be in this waiting and allowing the work of the cross, and salvation to complete in our lives, that we and all of the creation endure all sufferings, until the day we leave for our heavenly mansions. Georgekutty’s family too patiently endure their internal and external sufferings, as they wait for that one day when they will finally be in their permanent safe haven, away from all torturous investigations and societal judgments.
JESUS CHRIST’s work on the cross is the Drishyam of GOD’s plan for our eternal salvation, while Georgekutty’s daily actions and his life are just a Drisyham, of his ongoing plan to create a safe haven for his family.
Disclaimers:
If the matters in a story that is Good can be likened to a Chicken/Meat, then the remaining parts can be likened to bones. Many people avoid the Chicken/Meat completely in fear of choking on the bones, which is fine. Nonetheless, in keeping with Proverbs 4:25 and Hebrews 5:14, in my reviews, I make every attempt to highlight and glorify GOD’S hidden Goodness (Chicken/Meat) hidden among the Worldly stories (bones) through scriptures. This way hopefully, the readers can still enjoy the Chicken/Meat without choking on the bones. This also helps in attributing the good things rightfully to GOD, as only GOD is GOOD. As a result, these reviews are called “Eat The Meat, Spare The Bones Review.”
Disclaimer – Image Courtesy – TheCompleteActor
Please note the content in my reviews is wholly my opinion and has nothing to do with the opinions and/or intentions of the cast, story writers, producers, directors, or authors of the movie and/or book being reviewed. More likely than not, they would not even be aware of any Christian and/or Biblical connection to their movies and/or books. Further, these are mere interpretations arrived through observations, experiences, and extrapolations very personal and spiritual in nature to me. Therefore, it must not be considered as the principle and/or doctrinal foundation of Christianity itself, or that of my Christian beliefs. These stories inspire me and encourage me in my daily walk and this is the only motive for these reviews – that they may encourage, inspire and motivate you too in your faith. Finally, I do not own any of the Images used in this review, credit belongs to the original creators and accordingly, credit has been provided to them, where available.