Director Vipin Das’ 2022 film Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey was a breath of fresh air. Starring Basil Joseph and Darshana Rajendran, the film was a thoughtful black comedy. And in 2024, the director has teamed up with Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph for Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil, another Malayalam comedy-drama revolving around a wedding.
Plot
Vinu Ramachandran (Basil Joseph), who works in the Middle East, is engaged to Anjali (Anaswara Rajan). Five years have passed since his breakup with Parvathy (Nikhila Vimal), but he still hasn’t moved on. His brother-in-law Anand (played by Prithviraj Sukumaran), who is also a friend and confidant, helps him overcome his feelings. But Anand too is not leading a happy life as he is temporarily separated from his wife.
And this time, Vinu takes it upon himself to bring some happiness to Anand’s life. But when Vinu and Anand meet in person, everything goes haywire as there is another person who connects the two. This creates a rift in their relationship and whether Vinu goes through with his wedding with Anjali or not is the real story.
Highs
As promised in the trailer, Vipin Das’ Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil has a distinct sense of humour that the audience will get used to in the first half hour. As we warm up to Vinu and Anand, we want to hear more of their conversations that will make you laugh. The conversations between Vinu and Anand are so organic and witty that they make for a spectacular first half. The director builds up the story in a brilliant manner with all the twists and turns coming at perfect intervals.
Lows
The second half of the film is what brings Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil down after its perfectly crafted first half. After the interval, the conflict becomes paper-thin. The filmmaker introduces several characters leading to a messy ending, namely Vinu and Anjali’s wedding. While the sequence is tastefully executed, it fails to make a significant impact, partly due to the repetitive comedy and some unfunny sequences that fall short of the standard of the first half.
Performances
It is Basil Joseph, playing the less-than-confident hero, who shoulders this film. His tiny expressions drive the story effortlessly. Also, it is refreshing to see Prithviraj Sukumaran in a comedic role, which works to an extent. Nikhila Vimal’s character, while integral to the story, is moved more like a pawn than having a solid acting ability. Anaswara Rajan doesn’t have much to do in the film as the focus is on Vinu and Anand, but her performance is adequate.
Verdict
The two songs, composed by Ankit Menon, act as pace breakers in a short and crisp runtime. Overall, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil is a passable comedy film with some laugh-out-loud moments, but also some weaknesses.
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