Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal

Rating - 4/5

A small beautiful family drama that resonates with the inner mindset within oneself.

The plot of the story revolves around 3 brothers and the family get together at their native house for spending some last moments with their dyeing mother,cherishing the childhood memories and the eventful insider tales within the closed doors of a family that unfolds forms the storyline.

Beautiful narration by Sharan Venugopal is evident through the intriguing screenplay and grounded dialogues where in the story could be well related by anyone within the immediate circle of family. Sharan has brilliantly portrayed some weird situations that would have crossed the minds at some point of our life so naturally. He has put light on the variance in how people among two generations move on from their past mistakes without a hitch. The director has placed the story in a way to decide who/what is right and wrong from varied perspectives.

Hats off to the filmmaker for bringing a handful of incredible actors for filming this wonderful story. Joju George,Suraj & Alencier has given an outstanding performances of their characters portraying the distinct layers in ease. Impressive performances by Garggi & Thomas of the characters leaving anxiety with their mischievousness. Sajitha Madathil & Shelly has made subtle performances of their characters.

Good Cinematography by Appu Prabhakar in lighting up the curiousness in the story and bringing the innocence & open minds of the villagers aptly onto the screen. Good cuts by Jyoti Swaroop Panda for keeping the family drama very well engaging. Rahul Raj's music & BGM's deserves appreciation for keeping alive the freshness in the story.

A good family drama that gives an insight on the varied depth in family relationships and values.

I have been looking forward to watch Narayaneente moonnaanmakkal the moment i saw Joju in the cast but still kept my expectations low and didn't watch the trailer , according to movie critic and youtuber Ashwant kok,one of the success of a movie lies in its ability to draw the viewer into its universe and keep you there without allowing you to drift out ,i whole heartedly agree with this view but kok seems not to be impressed with this movie by the debutante director Sharan Venugopal ,myself on the other-hand was immediately draw into the movie's universe , the cinematography is beautiful ,nothing fancy but it has its warm feel just as the movie demands ,the music and background score compliments well,checkout the aching soulful melodies of 'viral thodum',since time immemorial man is always searching he/she is reaching out towards the other who can somehow fill the void and this movie is a meditation on these themes , on love/separation the movie also touches on social issues centering on behavior of people which is rooted in deep bias and hypocrisy leading to some funny exchanges but it also points out that all this is furthering the misery towards others and themselves .... maybe we are all like that fish trapped in that bowl looking for that grand emancipation...

This movie is like a bittersweet hug-it warms your heart but also leaves it a little heavy. It's about how people, deep down, are good and kind, even when life doesn't go their way. The characters feel real, and you can't help but care about them as they face their struggles and try to do the right thing.

The film shows that love can happen anywhere, even in the hardest of times. But it doesn't sugarcoat things-love isn't always enough to fix everything. The relationships are touching and real, whether it's between friends, family, or two people who care deeply for each other. It's beautiful but also heartbreaking, because life doesn't always give us happy endings.

The movie is simple but powerful. The pictures are pretty, the music is moving, and the story stays with you long after it's over. It's not a feel-good film, but it's honest and meaningful.

If you want a story that feels real and makes you think about life, love, and the goodness in people, watch this movie. Just be ready for some tears-it's not all sunshine, but it's worth it.

This dysfunctional family drama treads pretty familiar ground, but the titular trio of leads (and their combined screen presence) makes it work. It's a slow-paced, unhurried film with a romantic subplot taking up a sizeable portion of the runtime; I believe the film should've stayed ultra-focused on the dynamic between the three sons over all else. The romance, while interesting in its own right, may leave you with a confusing aftertaste. Even when that's the case, the performances from the ensemble are downright solid (barring dialect issues). Appu Prabhakar's got a knack for capturing rural Kerala in all its glory. The music (by Rahul Raj) ranges between okayish to good. It's a good watch on the whole, and you'll remember the name Sharan Venugopal.

Yes, the film is slow, and that is exactly what makes it special. Somewhere along the way, we have forgotten how to appreciate movies that take their time. We have lost touch with stories that feel real, filled with soft emotions, heartfelt conversations, and gentle storytelling. This movie is a quiet reminder of that.

It portrays the imperfections of life, capturing the layered nature of sibling relationships with subtle grace. It touches on the idea of forbidden love between cousins, though that is never the point. At its core, the film is about emotional drift - about how even the closest relationships can begin to feel unfamiliar, like something you once knew but can't quite hold anymore. It's a slow burn, carried not by grand events, but by warmth tucked between conversations, and the weight of what remains unsaid.

Loneliness is woven into the smallest of spaces. You sense it in Joju's character, who masks his ache behind bursts of wit and friction, in the girl who says she hates her mother but only ever wanted to be understood, and in Suraj's journey, shaped more by others' choices than his own. These moments never shout, but they linger long after.

The direction is beautiful, and the writing even more so. The film is filled with moments that feel genuine and unforced. The performances are strong across the board, especially that of Garggi Ananthan, who brings depth and honesty to her character.

In the end, the film leaves a soft sense of 'ranjish' in your heart. However, it does not hit hard, and perhaps that is why it struggled to connect with the theatre audience.