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Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Movie Review: There are some movies that you label 'okay, that wasn't bad', but when you consider the talent involved both in front of and behind the camera, alongside the expectations set, that label seems like an underachievement. For me, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil was such a movie. It had funny and entertaining moments, and most of the cast performed well, especially the two male leads. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil could have transitioned from good to awesome if they had tightened the writing in the second half and exercised more restraint with the cast. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Review: Critics Hail Prithviraj Sukumaran's Comedy 'Entertainer' Helmed by Vipin Das!
Vinu (Basil Joseph), a Gulf expatriate, is all set to marry Anjali (Anaswara Rajan) through an arranged marriage alliance at Guruvayoor. While the groom and bride are yet to get to know each other better, Vinu has already established a deep relationship with her short-tempered elder brother, Anand (Prithviraj Sukumaran), much to the surprise of both families. Anand therapies Vinu to get over a past failed affair, while Vinu insists on Anand working things out with his estranged wife, Parvathy (Nikhila Vimal).
Watch the Trailer of Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil:
However, their friendship faces a major roadblock when a secret comes between them, leading to a fallout. Now, Anand is hell-bent on ensuring this wedding at Guruvayoor does not happen. And so are some other parties.
Prithvi-Basil Combo
Director Vipin Das comes with a major baggage of expectations after delivering a thoughtful yet whimsical social entertainer in Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey. With Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil, written by Deepu Pradeep (of Kunjiramayanam and Padmini fame) the filmmaker opts to take us on a nostalgic journey, reminiscent of the comedies crafted by Priyadarshan and Siddique-Lal in the late '80s and early '90s. In this regard, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil emerges as a lighthearted entertainer with moments that provoke hearty laughter, driven by a narrative rich in comedy of errors and misunderstandings. Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey Movie Review: Darshana Rajendran and Basil Joseph are Exceptional in Malayalam Cinema's Most 'Massy' Film of 2022!
Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil instantly captivates when it establishes the bond between Anand and Vinu. Even before the director's name graces the screen, an unexpected twist unfolds, guaranteed to ensnare your interest, if Prithvi and Basil haven't already accomplished this feat. This twist propels the plot forward, providing fodder for several hilarious sequences. Basil Joseph is in rollicking form here as the conflicted groom. Prithviraj, while not as flexible in comedy as his co-star, still manages to bring down with his exaggerated expressions despite the shades of grey in his role. It is into this poricha combo where the makers add some fun neyyu to make things even better. How can one stifle laughter when Anand and Vinu meet face-to-face for the first time, accompanied by the strains of "Kannan Thumbi Poramo" in the background?
It is this camaraderie that renders the first half so engaging and delightful. Not that the other scenes don't work - the comedy of errors raises plenty of chuckles in first half - but even the funnier scenes, that don't involve both the actors present concurrently on the screen, has one character fawning or influencing over the other. So much so that after the fallout happens, it's not just you who misses their bonhomie but also the film itself.
The Second Half Lag
You expect fireworks to happen when the once-pally Anand and Vinu find themself on warring sides. However, instead of focusing more into their attempts to thwart each other's plans (which still bring some mirth), Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil introduces additional characters into the fray, including Vinu's vengeful frenemy Saravanan (Yogi Babu), Anjali's former stalker portrayed by Joemon Jyothir, and Anand's two uncles (Kottayam Ramesh and Irshad), among others. The aim is to inject more excitement into an already chaotic wedding scenario, yet these scenes lack the comedic charm of the first half. The humour often falls flat, and even Prithvi's portrayal of an angry man begins to lose its allure.
The climax, based inside a specially constructed Guruvayoor temple set, is undoubtedly the standout moment of Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil. Credit must be given to the film's production design team and the director for expertly recreating the bustling atmosphere of the temple and then orchestrating a chaotic finale within it. Varshangalkku Shesham Movie Review: Pranav Mohanlal-Dhyan Sreenivasan's Film is Solely For Feel-Good Enthusiasts With an Enjoyable Nivin Pauly Cameo.
However, while the climax succeeds in bringing most of the characters together under the temple roof, evoking a frenzy reminiscent of the finale of Siddique-Lal's Godfather, its impact is somewhat inconsistent. The callback to Nandanam was amusing initially, but it becomes somewhat protracted towards the end. The use of the song "Krishna" in the background during the action sequences injects a lively energy into the proceedings. However, most of the remaining comedic elements fail to fully capitalise on the potential of the overall sequence and its buildup. You can see the team trying too hard to make the comedy work, but the results don't match the efforts.
Furthermore - sorry for being somewhat of a spoilsport here - I've noticed a trend in recent Malayalam cinema of incorporating meta-humor through references to old films or viral content. While this can occasionally be entertaining - Prithvi even makes a joke that is linked to his last hit Aadujeevitham - there are instances where an excess of such references becomes tiresome, as is the case with Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil. For example, it's fine to name a character after Salim Kumar's made-up name for the unknown vigilante in Mayavi, but if that's the only quirky thing about that character, then it feels like the writing is running out of fresh ideas here.
Disappointing Female Characters
Although the two male leads deliver commendable performances, the female characters in Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil are somewhat shortchanged. Both Nikhila Vimal and Anaswara Rajan portray pivotal roles in the film, but their characters lack depth. Nikhila's portrayal of Parvathy primarily consists of a dour expression, with minimal dialogue. While Anaswara's character has more lines, she, too, suffers from underdevelopment. It's perplexing why her character is so insistent on marrying a virtual stranger who seems more fixated on her brother. Did she watch Sulaikha Manzil on a loop? Considering the director's previous film was noted for its strong female protagonist, this oversight is particularly disappointing.
In addition to the aforementioned principal actors, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil boasts an ensemble supporting cast, all of whom deliver solid performances despite their thinly sketched characters. However, it is Siju Sunny (known for his role in Romancham) and Saafboi who truly shine amidst the ensemble.
Final Thoughts on Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil
Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil showcases Prithviraj and Basil in excellent form, with their dynamic chemistry stealing the spotlight. The first half of the film is highly entertaining, brimming with humour and energy. However, the second half, along with the chaotic finale, falls short in maintaining the same level of engagement. Still, despite the inconsistency, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil can work for those looking for clean, humorous entertainment.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 16, 2024 10:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
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