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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Madras Matinee movie review: This story of a lower-middle-class auto driver tries to showcase a hero who doesn't exist
When we peruse the newspaper each morning, there are some human-interest stories that resonate with us and cheer us up. And there are other stories that you see unfolding right before your eyes in the lives of people around you, which strike a chord. Films like Kudumbasthan and Tourist Family all explore the lives and struggles of middle-class families, and Madras Matinee, directed by Karthikeyan Mani, falls in that category. The story is narrated by sci-fi writer Jyoti Ramayya (Sathyaraj). He is asked to write a book about people in real life rather than fantasy, and he decides to take us through the story of Kannan (Kaali Venkat), a lower-middle-class auto driver and garbage collector. Ramayya starts off by telling us how middle-class lives are mundane and boring, and where nothing exciting happens to anyone. So, is Kannan's life any different? In the case of Kannan and his wife Shelly, it is about working hard to pay their mounting bills and provide a good life for the family. In fact, their children, daughter Deepika (Roshni Haripriyan) and son Dinesh, have desperate aspirations too and want their family to move upwards financially. Every incident in their life, though, is dramatic and sentimental, touching upon the values the lower middle class cherish. For instance, Deepika gets a prestigious IT job in the US, but Kannan wants her to get married since marriage is seen as more important at that juncture in life. In the case of smartphone-obsessed Dinesh, there's a clear generation gap between the parents and him, and it becomes an issue. Meanwhile, there are other characters and situations that come into their lives periodically, adding more drama and comedy. Director Karthikeyan Mani has given us a story set in Madras (Chennai), which is supposed to be a slice of life with characters that we can relate to and probably meet in everyday life in this city. And that's appreciable. Unfortunately, the screenplay, which tries to combine drama and comedy, is flawed, and that's where the issue is. At times, it feels that certain situations are over-dramatised for the sake of it and that perhaps in real life, these issues would die down quickly. And the reverse as well. Some characters could have been given more depth (like Dinesh, for instance), and the humour not used flippantly in situations that are serious (like Deepika talking about bullying). DOP Anand GK has captured the sights and sounds of many aspects of Madras beautifully, from the street corner auto stand to the tea stalls and more. Music director KC Balasarangan tries to draw us into this distinct world with his sounds. At the end of the film, though, one wonders what the eventual takeaway was from the lives of Kannan and his family. Yes, we do see the transformation of not just Kannan but also Ramayya move away from fantasy to reality and try to showcase real-world heroism and strength to brave adversity. Like the title - Madras Matinee - was it supposed to be a lazy afternoon timepass, looking at the life of a lower middle-class family in Madras? Or was it supposed to be about humanity triumphing over everything? Madras Matinee is imperfect in its execution, and while one empathises with Kannan and his family, one doesn't find a real-life hero to cheer on.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tourist Family movie review: A feel-good entertainer elevated by a stellar Sasikumar and Simran
We have had numerous small films in recent times that revolve around families, like Kudumbasthan and In the same genre comes Tourist Family, directed by debutant Abishan Jeevinth. The film presents the audience with a normal, loving family that struggles to survive in this world filled with suspicion and mistrust. The film opens with an introduction to a Sri Lankan family – the father, Das or Dharmadas (Sasikumar), his wife, Vasanthi (Simran), and their children, Nithushan (Mithun Jai Shankar) and Mulli (Kamalesh Jagan). They land up on the shores of Rameswaram by boat from Sri Lanka as illegal immigrants and end up being accosted by the local police along with Vasanthi's brother Prakash (Yogi Babu). The policemen are sympathetic enough to let them go on their way, and the family eventually comes to Chennai to make a new life. They rent a home from police inspector Raghavan (Bucks), and Das gets a driver's license to make a living and look after his family. During this time, Das and Vasanthi befriend their neighbours and try to blend in with the local community. Unknown to them, at the same time, a bomb blast takes place in Rameswaram, and some policemen suspect Das and his family, given that they were Sri Lankans and came into the country illegally. The police land up at the doorstep of Das and his family, and what ensues next is what the film is about. Debutant director Abishan Jeevinth has penned a story involving many characters in a neighbourhood, each with a distinct tale and traits that make them stand out. If there's a seemingly lonely elderly couple, then there's a single man who seems to be afflicted by alcoholism. Added to the mix is a Punjabi family and a teacher's family, along with an elderly retired man, Richard (MS Bhaskar), who is extremely principled. And then there is Das and his family. Das, as portrayed by Sasikumar, is a perfect fit for the actor-director because he needs to be underplayed, given that this character has tremendous patience and affection and sees only the good in every person. A sudden demise, for instance, sees Das rally around the neighbours to ensure that the person gets a befitting send-off and does not leave the world thinking they were alone. Vasanthi, too, has been beautifully written by Jeevinth because she's not portrayed just as a wife or mother but as someone who is vulnerable and whose kindness and empathy find resonance with everyone. As for the kids, it is Mulli (Kamalesh Jagan) who has some of the best lines and periodically elicits laughter, breaking the serious tone of the scenes. Kamalesh has nailed this character so well and walks away with the applause. Simran and Sasikumar essay the perfect couple on screen, playing off each other. Both shift effortlessly from the humour to the serious undertones. They appear real on screen, which is truly a breath of fresh air. Ultimately, Tourist Family is not just a story about a family, but about how humanity is above everything and how a random group of people come together to form a bond thanks to being neighbours. It teaches us to rise above preconceived notions about people based on where they are from or what they do, and that differences are part of who we are. The film, like life, is peppered with humour, serious events, struggles and yes, the triumph of good over evil. The trope may not be new, but how it has been narrated and presented is. Tourist Family is a wonderful tale from Abishan Jeevinth which reiterates, yet again, that one must love one's neighbour and humanity above all.
