Thalavara

'Thalavara' is a warm hug of a film anchored by Arjun Ashokan's genuinely moving performance. Akhil Anilkumar directs the film with enough subtlety and restraint, a quality that also applies to his actors, all of whom do their bits to make the overall experience endearing and relatable.

Akhil Anilkumar's Thalavara is an underdog story that carries the breeziness of a small-town entertainer but never loses sight of its deeper intent.

A film that exposes everyday cruelty through one man's journey

The problem might not be with me but with the movie itself, wherein too many random elements are taped together to fill the runtime, with no effort to ensure quality in any aspect. Thalavara is, unfortunately, filled with such on-the-nose dialogues and scenes, devoid of any subtlety, appearing as if crafted simply to make a point or reach a preplanned plot point. The palpable level of predictability in the story and character arcs — with almost everything being entirely foreseeable — further makes one wonder if the makers put in any solid effort into writing.

Thalavara tugs at the heartstrings in unexpected little ways, gives hope, and, by the end of the film, leaves you a little teary-eyed. Director Akhil Anilkumar's portrayal is sensitive and nuanced. But otherwise, Thalavara is a sweet film like the family dramas of the past, where the good guy eventually wins.