Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil

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.

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.

Guruvayoorambala Nadayil follows the path of so many great 90s family comedy movies of Malayalam and updated it for the new generation. The bRomance between Basil's and Prithviraj's characters is truly the highlight of the movie. When Basil says "Ente Aanandhettan" that's better than all the romantic movies I've seen recently. The comedy of errors in the last act wasn't perfect but it had enough things going on well, that it worked really great. Guruvayoor in Malayalam cinema couldn't be mentioned without Nandhanam and that part was really nicely executed. Non-Malayalis who started watching Malayalam films recently would totally get confused by some of the things at the end.

The Guruvayoor sets were incredible. If I didn't know it was a set, I would've believed it was the real temple where I've visited so many times. Seeing places near Guruvayoor that I know very well was nice too.

I wasn't really impressed with the songs but the way they were visualized was nice. The really sad thing is how underutilized the female characters are when there is space for them to do things. Both Anaswara and Nikhila could have done way more in so many scenes that felt unfinished. Especially Nikhila Vimal is wasted with showing such potential for the character with that intro and plot points. That intro she got was really awesome and a fan inside me was ready to watch her do something but alas, she got to do nothing. It felt like there might have been more that was shot but they couldn't really coherently put it together, so opted to sideline them instead.

But despite all the flaws it had, it was an entertainer from start to finish in a purely Malayali way. Having a houseful responsive audience really do help with these types of films.

I've never been bowled over by Deepu Pradeep's scripts - Kunjiramayanam was saved by a 10-minute Biju Menon intervention, Padmini was certainly an odd one, and The Priest was meh. I understand his and director Vipin Das' intention to create a colorful wedding entertainer like in the '90s, but with a premise this interesting and such a talented cast, one simply expects the output to be FAR, FAR BETTER. The music, for starters, is mostly a disappointment. And that's coming from someone who enjoyed Ankit Menon's work in Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey. The writing lets us in on an early twist (which is fairly nonsensical, to begin with) and then proceeds to stretch this one idea into a 2h 10m conflict with flat developments and a flat finish. I didn't find the use of Azhagiya Laila or the Drishyam dialogues to be that funny; maybe, it managed to generate mild chuckles.

I often wonder why the Priyadarshan entertainers of the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s work the way they do, even on an Nth rewatch. Yes, they often came from the smart brains of either a peak Sreenivasan, VR Gopalakrishnan, or Priyadarshan himself. They were beautifully packaged to suit our Malayali sensibilities, with fantastic songs, dance numbers, and a consistent supply of rollicking humor. A film like Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil aspires for the same, and it does seem like it has its share of happy takers. That said, I don't think anything or anyone in the film particularly stood out - including Basil Joseph (who's usually fun in his relatable, relaxed avatar but not quite the case here), Prithviraj (who still struggles in situational comedies), Nikhila Vimal (what a waste; she could've been the real difference-maker here if the writing was better), and Anaswara Rajan (who makes for an absolutely dashing bride, but the character sketch is so puerile). The Guruvayoor temple set design, however, was well done (+1 pt for the obvious Nandanam reference.

Even though the film boasts some reliable names in the supporting cast (like Jagadeesh, Baiju, Siju Sunny, Saafboi, Yogi Babu, and more), none of them get any memorable LOL scenes. It all boils down to bland writing that fails to extract the full potential of an organically funny premise. Vipin Das better get back to his own drawing board, as even from a directorial perspective, I couldn't find many creative decisions worth raving about. I wish folks didn't start branding this the new gold standard for humor featuring a large ensemble. Go and re-watch Vettam for the 78,463rd time, please.

P. S. I'm very clearly in the minority here, and that's OKAY!

"Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil," and I must say, it was a delightful surprise! I initially went in with some reservations, fearing it might be a flop, but the movie turned out to be an absolute entertainer that surpassed all my expectations.

From start to finish, "Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil" keeps the audience engaged with its perfect blend of humor and heartwarming moments. The film's comedic elements are well-crafted, ensuring laughter for people of all ages. The script is peppered with witty dialogues and hilarious situations that had the entire theater roaring with laughter.

The performances are top-notch, with each actor bringing their unique charm to the screen. The characters are relatable and endearing, making it easy for the audience to connect with their journeys. The chemistry between the cast members adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the film.

The direction is commendable, as it maintains a steady pace and ensures that the humor never feels forced or over-the-top. Overall, "Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil" is a must-watch for anyone looking for a good laugh and a wholesome movie experience. It's a feel-good entertainer that guarantees a fun time for audiences of all ages. Don't miss out on this gem - it's a guaranteed mood-lifter!