Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil" is a well-blended comedy-drama that delivers a hearty mix of situational humor, family sentiments, and unexpected twists, wrapped in a marriage-themed narrative rooted in Kerala's culture.

Vipin Das (known for Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey) keeps the tone light but meaningful. The screenplay by Deepu Pradeep is tight, with witty dialogues and engaging sequences.

Humor: The film doesn't rely on slapstick but rather thrives on situational comedy and clever writing. The family drama adds layers to the humor without going overboard.

Music & Visuals: The background score complements the story well, and the temple-town visuals of Guruvayoor add authenticity and charm.

Although some of the humor in the movie is slapstick or references to viral reels and class movies, the movie mostly evokes genuine comedy. It starts off quite well with a captivating plot and good writing but gets predictable once the plot points fall in place. Prithviraj and Basil are at their comedic bests. Basil excels in such roles where he comes across as a realistic character we meet in our daily lives. He may be naive at heart but is no way overtly pure or innocent. Prithviraj as Anandan feels like a character we have seen him play before and pulls it of with ease. Anaswara and Nikhila play their roles well if you exclude some of over and under acting respectively. Nikhila in particular has very few lines and comes across as stoic despite having a major role in the movies plot. This is not her fault as the character development is lacking for all characters.

Despite some subpar writing and forgettable songs,"Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil" is a good family watch for the weekend.

I watched Aavesham just before watching this movie, so half my review might be rant on that garbage-fest (Aavesham) - hence I apologize for sounding elitist beforehand. But I consider being able to be especially good at detecting subtlety in humour a great quality in a person and I adore comedy movies that try to engage that subtlety-detection radar... and add in a nice dose of sarcasm and satire for good measure.

This, while not perfect by any means, is a far better movie than that crapfest "Aavesham", and while I see the raving reviews for that crapfest, I don't find the same enthusiasm in the reviews for this movie, which in my opinion, had genuine charm and humour. I re-emphasize my earlier apology for sounding elitist, but it is what it is. Aavesham was crap, this is not. This is an actual good movie.

Prithviraj was great, but Basil is a star. He can make you laugh with the silliest of expressions. The supporting cast did a good job too, and so did the screenwriter and dialogue writer, setting up all those nice little scenes. Of course, it ain't perfect, but it did its job, and made me chuckle, laugh, and feel good.

Movie focused on entertainment and comedy - but is not perfect or even close to perfect interms of logical consistency, profound story. Message or even screenplay - but was enjoyable nonetheless!

The movie is focused pretty much on the hot and cold bromance and relationship between Prithviraj and Basil - at the cost of the side characters. In a comedy, this could be forgiven - though felt many stellar actors are wasted due to this - mainly Nikila (who apart for a brief window towards to end) was a mute spectator, similarly Jagadeesh, Baiju etc.

The cameo by Yogibabu though was funny - but for those familiar with his Tamil movies would find it pretty flat and un-original - there are 10s if not 100s of films were he has done the same (expression, dialogues, actions all pretty much the same)

The main problem I had was the below average music - none of the songs made any lasting impressions. After watching movie I could not even recollect a single song from the movie !

The film starts off with an incredible bang, delivering a first half that is nothing short of a laugh riot. The initial setup is expertly crafted, replete with sharp writing, well-timed humor, and engaging character dynamics that keep you thoroughly entertained. The direction in this segment is tight, the pacing brisk, and the comedy hits the mark with consistent precision. This is the part of the film that I'd eagerly recommend to anyone looking for a good time at the movies. However, a word of caution is necessary: brace yourself for a noticeable dip in quality as the film progresses into its second half.

After intermission, the movie unfortunately takes a nosedive. The writing loses its earlier sharpness, giving way to a series of poorly constructed scenes that left me cringing in my seat. The once bright and engaging storyline becomes muddled and directionless. It seems as though the writers ran out of steam, resulting in a narrative that drags and feels aimless. The climax, in particular, is disappointingly stretched out, leading to an unsatisfying and gloomy conclusion. What started as a promising journey ends on a sour note, leaving the audience with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

One of the most glaring issues in the second half is the underutilization of Yogi Babu. Known for his impeccable comedic timing and distinctive screen presence, Yogi Babu could have significantly elevated the film had his talents been properly harnessed.

Additionally, the introduction of too many characters mid-way through the film further complicates the narrative. Rather than enriching the story, these characters clutter the plot and detract from the central storyline. The focus shifts erratically, and the film struggles to maintain the coherence and charm that characterized its beginning. This overcrowding dilutes the impact of the main characters, making it hard for the audience to stay invested in their arcs.

In summary, this movie is a textbook example of a tale of two halves. The first half promises a delightful cinematic experience filled with humor and wit, making it a must-watch. However, the second half's weak writing, poor utilization of key talent, and an overabundance of characters derail the film, resulting in a frustrating and lackluster conclusion. If you do decide to watch this film, you might find yourself contemplating leaving at intermission to preserve.