MOVIE REVIEWS

Oru Naal Varum Review.

The much awaited film of Mohanlal - Sreenivasan combination hit the screens. After all the fuss about the story and the stay from the court, the movie released today. The story of the movie was written by Sreenivasan who had a bunch of super hit movies. But this time he is not up to expectations.
When Mohanlal and Sreenivasan join hands to make a film, film lovers expect a lot, naturally. The inimitable duo, coming together after five years ('Udayananu Tharam' was their last offering) for 'Oru Naal Varum', gives us some moments of pure fun in the first half. But the film, directed by TK Rajeev Kumar, never rises above the ordinary.
The movie starts with the life around a corrupted assistant town planing officer which is done by Sreenivasan. Mohanlal's character is Kolapully Sukumaran who is trying to make his house. Mohanlal and his daughter is living in a flat. He is separated from his wife Sameera Reddy. But he cannot get through the difficulties made by the Planning Officer to make his house. The movie advances through some funny scenes and Kolapully Sukumaran's family life.
Close to the interval, there is a sudden twist in the story that takes is by surprise. And post the break, the story turns serious and the film has a Tom and Jerry chase feel (Between the ATPO and Sukumaran), of course, without the comedy feel. Sameera Reddy is in a guest role; she plays Mohanlal's estranged wife Meera. Performance wise, Mohanlal is brilliant in the role of the common man and as a man going through a troubled marriage. As for Sreenivasan, he looks jaded and artificial (That is nothing new, of course!). Devayani as the naive wife of Gopi is charm personified and believable. As their daughter Dhanya, ever smiling Nasreen is very impressive. Nedumudi Venu, in the role of an ex-service man who frequents the ATPO office for an approval, is brilliant while Suraj plays his part to perfection. And Sameera Reddy sleepwalks through the film.
As usual, Sreenivasan weaves in the day today struggles of the layman into the story. But, this time, his efforts look half hearted. If the first part was breezy, the second part felt heavy. But, it should be said that TK Rajeev Kumar has succeeded in making an watchable film. He never lets one to get bored! The movie lacks a rigid storyline and the absence of good comedy as expected from a Sreenivasan story make the audience disappointed. Most of the time viewers get bored due to the slow growth of the story.
Verdict: Disappointing.