#Home review: A feel-good Malayalam family drama that's sweet but overlong

Malayalam cinema is quietly making a strong impact with simple stories. At a time when filmmakers are running behind stars to make pan-Indian blockbusters, the Malayalam film industry is putting its money on close-to-heart stories. Rojin Thomas’s #Home (2021), which joins the list of recent feel-good Malayalam movies like Vikruthi (2019) and Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25 (2019), works its magic with a simple story of a technology-challenged father desperately trying to bond with his sons in the digital age. #Home is a charming relationship drama that’s too sweet at times which makes it slightly unbearable, but it still leaves you with a smile on your face. 

The film explores the relationship between Oliver Twist (Indrans) and his elder son Anthony Oliver Twist (Sreenath Bhasi) over a few weeks. Anthony, a filmmaker basking in the success of his debut, is struggling to write his second movie. After receiving an ultimatum from his producer, he returns home, the place where he wrote his first script, in search of a creative spark. Anthony’s father is over the moon to see his son back home, and his excitement knows no bounds as he goes around telling his friends about the young man’s next project with a superstar. Facing constant pressure from the producer to complete the project, Anthony’s relationship with his family falls apart while his father tries his best to keep everything afloat. 

What really works in the favour of #Home is its simplistic storytelling. It doesn’t boast a great storyline, but it manages to tug at heartstrings with a plot that’s peppered with some lovely moments and a heartwarming twist. The film does get needlessly long but it makes up for the length with some great performances. Veteran actor Indrans breathes life into the character of the father, who’s stuck between pleasing his sons and getting a hands-on experience about the world of social media. Indrans makes this a great family drama with his effortless performance and the scenes between the members of the family are highly relatable. Sreenath Bhasi is equally good as the wayward filmmaker-son. 

The film does touch upon sensitive themes like the openness to discuss meeting a psychologist, and how it’s not something to be ashamed about. There’s also a sub-plot about social media being both a boon as well as bane. #Home could’ve been shorter as it stretches a basic plot about the importance of family in our lives. Nevertheless, it’s a film you won’t mind recommending, and it makes for a lovely watch with your family. 

#Home is now streaming on Amazon Prime.