'Falimy' On Disney+ Hotstar Movie Review: Basil Joseph's Hilarious Performance Salvages This Comedy Drama By Nithish Sahadev

Director: Nithish Sahadev

Cast: Meenaraj Palluruthy, Jagadish, Manju Pillai, Basil Joseph, Sandeep Pradeep, Raina Radhakrishnan, Amith Mohan Rajeswari

Available On: Disney+ Hotstar

Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes

'Falimy': Story

To say that every family trip begins with an argument and ends in a revelation of sorts would not be an understatement. This is exactly the premise of ‘Falimy.’ The movie chronicles a family’s trip from Thiruvananthapuram to Varanasi. The patriarch of the family wanted to go on this trip alone. But every time he stepped out of his house, the family would fetch him back. Following a broken engagement, the family decides to fulfill the grandfather’s wish. Albeit everyone has their own reasons for going on this pilgrimage. What ensues next is a series of unfortunate events that will make you laugh and also help you understand this dysfunctional family.

'Falimy': Performances

‘Falimy’ begins with a sequence of Meenaraj Palluruthy and thus it makes sense to speak about the performances starting with him. He has got into the skin of an old man who has only one thing on his mind – a trip to Kashi. He fits perfectly into the role of an old man who has seen life and will do only what he likes, even if it means doing these things without informing his family.

Jagadish has brought out his character of a man who has failed in the eyes of society with ease. He lends a certain kind of seriousness to this role. It helps you understand where the character is coming from without pitying him.

Basil Joseph has sunk his teeth into the role. He blends into the character of an older son who struggles with his finances, career, family, and marriage proposals. The actor brings a certain relatability factor to his role with small nuances that cannot be ignored.

Manju Pillai shines brilliantly as a woman who has to deal not only with her work but also with the men in her house who have a personality of their own. Her character breaks the monotony in the family. She holds her own personality and is never overshadowed by the other actors.

Sandeep Pradeep has proven to be the best of the lot. He stands out as the younger son and has embodied the traits. His comic timing feels natural and not forced and this is what works brilliantly for him in this film.

'Falimy': Script, Direction & Technical Aspects

Nithish Sahadev’s movie has multiple sub-plots that run parallel to the main plot. On one hand, it is great to see that every character has a story that explains why they are the way that they are. But on the other hand, it also runs the risk of not tying these loose ends effectively by the end of the film. However, ‘Falimy’ has stood its ground, and all the loose ends tie up cohesively as the movie draws to a close.

Written by Nithish and Sanjo Joseph, every scene has small nuances that make the characters and the story relatable and endearing. The dialogues are blended with elements of comedy and moments where the family members put their vulnerability in the palm of their hands. These raw moments where they speak their heart out do not sound preachy and that works for the film. These emotional scenes are followed by comic sequences and the weight of vulnerability does not feel heavy. In the second half of the movie, certain sequences that are used to bring out certain emotions can come across as stereotypical.

The length of the film could have been shortened. Edited by Nidhin Raj Arol, the first part of the film with its many plots feels like a slow burn. While they were necessary, they could have been shortened in a few places to bring us straight to the chase.

The cinematography by Bablu Aju is smooth. The transition from South India to North India has been brought out seamlessly without coming across as caricaturish. The few moments it does is only because of how the story was written. The film brings out the chaos in Varanasi and the slowing down of time in Kerala with perfection. The scenes with the family make you feel like an insider in their conversation and not a voyeur. This works because it helps the audience connect to the family.

'Falimy': Can Kids Watch It?

Yes

Outlook's Verdict

‘Falimy’ has its moments of comedy and emotion, but it is not something that has not been done before. The underlying emotion with which the characters take certain steps is something that we might all be familiar with. With that being said, the film is not just another cliché family drama. It is a perfect pick for days when you want an easy watch without any preachy messaging. I am going with 3 stars.