Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil - A Neat Entertainer With a Few Flaws

 

Movie: Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil
Rating: 3/5
Cast:  Prithviraj Sukumaran, Basil Joseph, Nikhila Vimal, Anaswara Rajan

and others
Director: Vipin Das
Produced By: Mukesh R. Mehta, Supriya Menon, C.V. Sarathi 

Release Date: 16th May 2024

Story:

Vinu Ramachandran (Basil Joseph), an expatriate in the Middle East, is engaged to Anjali (Anaswara Rajan). Anand, his brother-in-law portrayed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, serves as both a friend and confidant, aiding him in overcoming his emotions. However, Anand is enduring a period of separation from his wife, Parvathy (Nikhila Vimal).  Determined to bring joy into Anand's life, Vinu intervenes and helps Anand reunite with his wife. However, when Vinu and Anand finally meet face-to-face, chaos ensues as he gets to know his brother-in-law's wife is none other than his ex-girlfriend, whom he badmouths with everyone. This unforeseen connection strains the bond between Vinu and Anand, and the rest of the story is about how Vinu gets rid of all the problems and ties the knot with Anjali. 

Performances:

Basil Joseph, portraying the role of the hesitant hero, carries the film on his shoulders along with Prithviraj Sukumaran. While Basil's subtle expressions effortlessly propel the narrative forward, Prithviraj Sukumaran's performance in a comedic role brings a refreshing element to the movie. Nikhila Vimal's character, although crucial to the plot, does not have much scope to perform. Anaswara Rajan, despite having minimal screen time due to the focus on Vinu and Anand, delivers a satisfactory performance. 

What Worked For The Film:

As stated in the trailer, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil by Vipin Das delivers a unique sense of humor that viewers will quickly become accustomed to within the initial thirty minutes. As we become more acquainted with Vinu and Anand, their amusing conversations become something we eagerly anticipate. The organic and clever exchanges between Vinu and Anand create an exceptional first half, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained. The director skillfully constructs the narrative, introducing twists and turns at precisely timed intervals, resulting in a brilliant storytelling experience. Even in the second half, where the situation between both the lead actors changed, the fun moments still make the film passable for most of the part.  Though the climax part slightly falls short of expectations, the buildup before that episode and Prithiviraj's Character's reactions make up for it. 

What Did Not Work For The Film:

Following the intermission, the conflict loses its depth. The director introduces multiple characters, ultimately leading to a chaotic conclusion, specifically Vinu and Anjali's wedding. Although the scenes are skillfully crafted, they lack a substantial impact, partly due to the repetitive humor and unfunny moments that do not meet the standard set in the first half. Although the female lead characters receive a significant amount of screen time, their depth remains unexplored. This issue could have been addressed if the creators had diverted some of the attention from Vinu and Anand and allowed the women to share their stories and perspectives by providing them with equal opportunities and space.

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Review And Verdict:

Guruvayoor AmbalaNadayil is a decent entertainer that maintains a simple approach, never overtly complicating the narrative or characters. This straightforward approach has both positive and negative effects on the film, keeping it from reaching its full potential. The film was carried on the shoulders of Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph while others performed their duties adequately.