Family Star - An Uneven Outing

 

Movie: Family Star
Rating: 2.25/5
Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur, Vasuki, Rohini Hattangadi, Jagapathi Babu and others
Director: Parasuram Petla
Produced By: Dil Raju

Release Date: 5th April 2024

Story:

'Family Star' follows the journey of Govardhan (Vijay Deverakonda), who manages the extended family. The plot uncovers the challenges faced by his family due to his elder brother's joblessness and the entry of Indu (Mrunal Thakur) into his life as a tenant. The conflict with her arrival and relationship with Govardhan significantly influences the film's storyline. 

Performances:

Vijay's portrayal of the middle-class role in Parasuram's film is characterized by simplistic and harmonious styling. His on-screen presence enhances the ordinary plot, showcasing his finesse as an actor. Despite the character's requirements, Vijay always appears to be overreacting, demonstrating his ability to portray relatable and uncomplicated characters convincingly. Mrunal Thakur, portraying the character of Indu, appears charming despite the presentation of her role gradually losing its appeal, particularly in the second half, where she predominantly remains silent, only expressing a hint of sadness and sporadically delivering dialogues. Both Mruna and Vijay add some value to their characters and the entire movie.

Jagapathi Babu portrays a concise character. Vennela Kishore, once more, assumes a partially developed role as a comedic sidekick, and he performs in his usual manner. Divyansha Kaushik, Ajay Ghosh, Prabhas Sreenu, Abhinaya, and Jabardasth Ramprasad, who are also part of the cast, fail to make an impact. Although senior Marathi actress Rohini Hattangadi is utilized to a certain extent, Vasuki, known for her pleasant on-screen presence, is completely underutilized.

What Worked For The Film:

Vijay's portrayal of Govardhan and Mrunal's introduction contribute to the overall charm and screen presence. Including well-crafted dialogues in the first half adds a touch of positivity, resulting in an average yet enjoyable experience. Nandanandana Song also works well. 

What Did Not Work For The Film:

The film's core plot is dated, and Parasuram has failed to add anything fresh to the narrative. The emotional plot and scenes in the movie need to be established, which makes the emotional connection go missing except for a few parts. For example, the major part of the film's second half, filmed in the United States, was a complete mess. It is quite a mystery how Vijay's attempt to evade white women in downtown New York made it into the final edit; only God knows. It takes courage to include such a trash scene in the ultimate version of the movie. The main conflict between the hero and the heroine is never handled correctly, and Parasuram throws some senseless dialogue whenever a serious conversation happens between them.

Gopisundar's music is undeniably underwhelming and fails to redeem the film. Although there are a few instances where the background score enhances certain scenes, Gopisundar's overall contribution is not noteworthy.

Family Star Review And Verdict:

Family fails to deliver the required impact except for a few engaging moments here and there. The storyline is simple, and the screenplay looks artificial for most of the parts. Mrunal Thakur and Vijay Deverakonda tried their best to excel, but their characters needed more strength. The music also does not add any value to the film.