‘Lalitham Sundaram’ movie review: Madhu Wariar’s directorial debut is predictable, yet heartwarming

Hold it easy and exquisite. Actor Madhu Wariar appears to have adopted that to the T in his directorial debut, Lalitham Sundaram, which interprets to ‘Easy, Lovely.’ He maintains the feel-good issue all through, using some acquainted tropes and conditions within the course of. Nonetheless, the film, an OTT launch, is a pleasant-enough watch, due to the ensemble solid, picture-perfect frames and a few good music. 

Previous to the discharge, there was a lot speak about a brother (Madhu) directing his sister, Manju Warrier, maybe a primary in Malayalam cinema. There was additionally quite a lot of pleasure about Manju coming along with Biju Menon after twenty years. However these anticipating to see them as a pair could be disillusioned that they play siblings, Sunny and Annie. They’ve a youthful brother, Jerry (Anu Mohan).

The trio come dwelling to be with their widowed father, Das (scenarist Raghunath Paleri) on their mom Mary Das’s (Zarina Wahab) dying anniversary. The siblings are extra like strangers, busy with their very own lives in several cities. Sunny is a failed entrepreneur with a string of flop enterprise ventures to his credit score and his married life with Sophy (Ramya Nambeesan) has hit all-time low. Annie is a profitable businesswoman and has a cheerful household with a supportive stay-at-home husband, Sandeep (Saiju Kurup) and two youngsters. Jerry, the IT man, has a live-in girlfriend, Simi (Deepti Sati), who’s a divorcee. (It’s refreshing to see narratives with stay-at-home dads and live-in relationships in Malayalam cinema.)

However all isn’t effectively amongst the siblings as some outdated wounds resurface as soon as they resolve to remain again for per week of their enormous home. There are some unresolved points, particularly between Sunny and Jerry, which escalate after some extent. 

Nonetheless, most of those scenes are fairly lightweight, which some would possibly discover underwhelming. There aren’t any twists or turns, nor any gripping conditions within the screenplay by Pramod Mohan. The narrative has its moments, however one needs there have been extra with so many seasoned actors within the solid. The connection dynamics among the many siblings might have been higher explored, and the explanation for the fall-out between the brothers appears far-fetched. 

However the actors by some means maintain the movie collectively; Biju, final seen in Aarkkariyam, is intense as Sunny who’s burdened by his emotional baggage and Manju is breezy because the high-flying businesswoman in her first direct OTT launch. The banter between them, and a few spontaneous reactions from the duo is value watching. However it’s Saiju as Manju’s husband who steals the present, and it’s a delight to look at him on-screen together with his easy appearing. 

The areas, particularly Vandipperiyar, Kuttikanam and Vagamon have been superbly captured by cinematographers P Sukumar and Gautham Sankar, regardless of a few of the frames trying too shiny. At the same time as Bijibal’s music and background rating attempt to mix in with the narrative, one would possibly discover his use of a medley of evergreen Malayalam movie songs in the direction of the tip extra pleasurable.  

Regardless of its flaws, Lalitham Sundaram is value a watch in case you don’t thoughts the consolation of feel-good dramas. You would possibly study some classes and even tear up a bit as effectively!

Lalitham Sundaram is at present streaming on Disney+ Hotstar