Tourist Family review: Such a jolly good ride
It's a rare film that emotionally moves you, yet makes you happy as you walk out of the theatre
In the 70s and 80s, Tamil cinema produced family dramas that resonated with middle-class families. Slowly, Tamil filmmakers switched to big-scale action entertainers, keeping pace with the changing world and technology.
Recently, feel-good dramas like Good Night, Lubber Pandhu and Kudumbasthan have become big hits. Following the trend is Tourist Family, directed by debutant Abishan Jeevnith.
Keep it simple, director's mantra
With Tourist Family, Abishan Jeevnith proves that filmmaking is not just about thinking outside the box and creating something larger than life to grab the audience's attention. Abishan has kept it simple; he has only conveyed the goodness in people, by emphasising the emotional vulnerability of his characters. Yet, he doesn't treat Tourist Family like a tearjerker, although the premise has the potential to be one. In one scene, he makes you weep for an emotionally moving scene, and in the next, he makes a character crack a joke to have a big smile on your face. This way, you constantly feel for the problems faced by the characters in the film, and at the same time, you don't carry their burden yourself. At the end of the film, you take home the 'goodness' with you.
Lanka-Rameshwaram journey
Das (M Sasikumar), his wife Vasanthi (Simran), and their two sons (Mithun Jai Shankar and Kamalesh) come as refugees from Sri Lanka to Rameshwaram. Vasanthi's brother, Yogi Babu, helps them obtain fake documents, giving the family a new lease of life. Though a cop (Ramesh Thilak) catches them, he is smitten by the sweet little family. Slowly, the family sets up their base in a small neighborhood in Chennai. Unintentionally, they help people around them and earn their trust and love.
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Everything goes well until cops suspect that the Sri Lankan family is somehow connected with a bomb blast in Rameshwaram. Will the trouble knock on the doors of the cute little family, or will they get saved by their good deeds?
Sasikumar's new avtaar
Though Sasikumar has played ferocious action heroes in many films, director Abishan Jeevnith has given him the best heroic elevation by showcasing how Das's simple motto of being true to himself and others changes the lives of many around him. The scene where Sasikumar knocks on all the doors of the neighborhood for the last rites of a woman will move your heart. In another scene, MS Baskar's insistence on being honest passes on an important moral value. Though Das's family is dysfunctional, they try to have fun and stay for each other, which resonates with many.
Simran's role could have been bigger
After a long time, supporting actors like MS Baskar, Elango Kumaravel, Srija, and others have solid roles despite limited screen presence. Simran's character could've been more detailed, especially when compared to Sasikumar's; her role seems to be shallow and lacks depth. On the other hand, Mithun Jai Shankar (Aavesham) and Kamalesh have terrific characters. While Mithun's character contributes to the emotional quotient, Kamalesh is a big source of comic relief in the film; his punchlines, often from actor Vijay's old films and political songs, are good fun.
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Interestingly, the director also plays a solid character, and he moves you with his performance as well!
Sean Roldan's songs and music elevate the film's emotional spirit to a new level, especially Iragai and Ore Vaanam.
Overall, Tourist Family is one such film that makes you feel good, it helps you to love your family and the people around you. It's a rare film that emotionally moves you yet makes you happy as you walk out of the theatre.
(Tourist Family will hit screens on May 1)
