Family Padam movie review: A breezy and bittersweet tale about dreams and aspirations that is a bit rough around the edges

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It is beautiful how Thamizh’s struggle to become a director is interspersed with important incidents happening within the family. Take, for instance, the scene where he is humiliated by a film producer who won’t even give him the time of day to listen to his script. Simultaneously, we see Parthi going for a ‘ponnu paakra’ function to meet Swathi. Even when Thamizh is facing rejection, Parthi wins the heart of Swathi by narrating his own humiliation story, albeit in jest. This wonderful balance is what makes Family Padam a refreshing take on such struggles because the family isn’t waiting for Thamizh to be there. But it isn’t because he is forgotten. They just understand. And it is this understanding that makes them decide to produce Thamizh’s debut film when everything else doesn’t go his way. 

Here’s the trailer

Now, Selvah isn’t too interested to showcase the intricacies of filmmaking. He doesn’t want to tell us how tough it is to bring film from paper to screen. The writing is more focussed on keeping us invested in the characters. It is a no-frills take on filmmaking that focusses on human relationships rather than the struggles of making a film hit theatres. That is why, there is no sense of triumph when things fall into place. When a chance encounter of Thamizh with a good samaritan leads to something even more special, the convenience is definitely irksome, but we move past it because we understand that the family deserves a push. This Family Padam is more about family and less about the padam. 

However, there is only so much leeway we can give to the film. In fact, the movie is rock solid when it revolves around Thamizh, his family, and his friend (a hilarious Kavin). But it is undone by the romantic track of Thamizh and Yamuna (Subhiksha Kayarohanam), which feels rushed and super convenient. Despite both characters displaying a welcome sense of maturity in their relationship, it feels more like a simplistic and underwritten means to an end.  

Subhiksha and Udhay Karthik in Family Padam.

Family Padam is quite a meta film on so many levels, and has the shades of other such Tamil films of this genre, including Jigarthanda, and Uppu Karuvaadu. However, the movie decides to take the seemingly simpler route of family entertainer, which is actually quite tough to crack. Selvah reminded yours truly of a Visu, TP Gajendran, and even a Radha Mohan in the way his world has a lot of goodness despite treachery and insecurity lurking at every corner. But it also has some template scenes that don’t really scream ingenuity.

Take, for instance, the scene involving Thamizh and a quintessential masala cinema hero hearing his script. The same happens with the producer duping Thamizh and pushing him into a world of misery. But he also delivers wonderful moments like Thamizh realising that his family would rally behind him no matter what. 

What really works for the film is the strong undercurrent of humour. Even the explosive interval block starts off with a fun line about mutta dosai. Even the organic stunt sequence that unites the brothers ends with a hilarious intervention. Of course, the film is burdened by overt predictability and a touch too many writing conveniences like the usual ‘hospital’ scene where secrets are unraveled. But the film also has refreshing characters that don’t follow the set pattern of behaviour expected from them. 

The film’s other strength is the relatable dialogues that are never too showy. Vivek Prasanna’s monologue about ‘settling down’ in life, Parthiban’s tirade against a nosy relative, Udhay’s resignation about life being unfair and how important it is to fight the good fight, Sreeja’s throwaway line about being a mother, Thavakumar’s assertiveness of doing right by his sons, Mohanasundaram’s cheeky one-liners and the rare sentimental one… everything works in favour of the movie. Vivek stands tall in Family Padam, and is the emotional anchor. Points to Udhay Karthik who seems to have developed quite the penchant for sharing the spotlight in an ensemble despite being the ‘hero’ of the film. 

Parthiban, Vivek Prasanna, Udhay Karthik in Family Padam.

Family Padam might seem like a ‘small’ film but just like the film within the film, this team too has thrived on its limitations. Anivee’s songs are lovely with catchy lyrics and the movie is wonderfully elevated by the background score of Ajesh. Cinematographer Meyyendiran seems to be the go-to person for such films that want to show Chennai without a cinematic filter. 

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We’ve heard many filmmakers say that bringing their films out from their mind to the screen is like delivering a child. Just like how it takes a village to raise a child, sometimes it does take a family to make a padam. But what makes it a success? As a character in the film says, “Luck in cinema is all about talent being noticed by the right people…” Hopefully, this time, luck favours Selvah and Co.

Family Padam movie director: Selvah Kumar Thirumaaran 
Family Padam movie cast: Udhay Karthik, Vivek Prasanna, Sreeja Ravi, Parthiban Kumar 
Family Padam movie rating: 3 stars