Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal

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.

The film Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal is a cinematic work belonging to the family drama genre, and was directed by Sharan Venugopal.

The film's narrative is focused on the three sons of Narayani, namely Vishwanathan, Sethu and Bhaskaran. The narrative recounts the reunion of these three siblings following a 24-year hiatus. Bhaskaran's departure from his familial residence was precipitated by his matrimonial union with a Muslim woman, Nafeesa. The couple have two children now, Nikhil and Tanuja. The gathering occurred in anticipation of the imminent demise of their mother. The film then proceeded to depict the relationship between the three brothers and the various confrontations that arose over the matter of a share of the wealth. The prevailing sentiment was that the mother's demise should occur at the earliest opportunity. It is an inherent human tendency to desire the return of one's personal belongings. The subjects paused their activities in order to attend this gathering. Concurrently, a profound relationship developed between Nikhil and Athira, Vishwanathan's daughter. Subsequently, this results in a confrontation between the brothers. The film evidently portrayed the typical dynamics of familial relationships and their respective commitments.

The narrative was of a high standard, and the direction was also commendable. The performances are of a similarly high standard. Musical scores are notable. This is a valuable resource for individuals who wish to watch the film once.

There is no plot in Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal (The Three Sons of Narayani). Instead, it's a narration of a few days in the lives of the three sons as they get together at the wake of their mother's imminent death, not without the ghosts of their private and shared pasts. I had a peculiar (in a good way) feeling watching Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal, with its mellow, meandering pace, performances that make it look like they're living it, and subtle music. It hit home with me because I've seen such family get-togethers get heated up personally, so it was a terrific watch. Save for one major story arc that seemed unwarranted, this film was worth it.

This movie had the potential to be a thought provoking family drama, but its unsettling romantic subplot completely overshadows any artistic merit it might have had. The film boasts strong performances and a grounded visual aesthetic, the choice to explore a romance between cousins is deeply disturbing and unnecessary.

The Good things first!

The actors, especially mention standout performances, delivered compelling portrayals.

The cinematography and background score create an immersive experience.

The film's initial setup of family conflicts had promise.

The Problem!!

Any positive elements are overshadowed by the film's questionable creative choice. The romantic relationship between cousins is not just uncomfortable but it feels forced and detracts from what could have been a meaningful exploration of familial bonds. It's a theme that adds nothing valuable to the story and instead alienates a large portion of it.

Final Thoughts - Good performances and direction can't save a film from a problematic narrative. Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal leaves a sour taste, not because it's emotionally powerful, but because it crosses a line many viewers won't be comfortable with. A film should challenge audiences, but this one does so in a way that feels unjustified and unsettling.

⭐ Rating: 1.5/5 - Could have been a great drama, but the storyline ruins it completely.

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...