The Family Star Movie Review: The Star Doesn’t Shine
After working together on the smash hit “Geetha Govindam” for more than five years, Vijay Deverakonda and director Parasuram Petla got back together for The Family Star.
The advertising and marketing were effective. Has the film lived up to the hype, and can the duo repeat their winning formula?
Being the breadwinner for his two brothers and their families, Govardhan (Vijay Deverakonda) is a young man from the middle class who has a lot on his plate. He has a career in architecture and is an employee of a modest Hyderabad firm.
A student at Hyderabad Central University named Indu (Mrunal Thakur) moves in with his aunt and uncle after renting out the top floor of their house.
A romantic relationship develops between Govardhan and Indu. She rented the house and became close to his family for the sake of her project, which Govardhan learns as he prepares to propose to her.
The revelation shocks Govardhan, but he takes a new job with an industrialist (Jagapathi Babu) and swears to teach her a lesson. Another unexpected turn occurs the moment he begins this new task.
Govardhan and Indu resolve their differences throughout the narrative.
Playing a variety of emotions—from stinginess to violence to simplicity—Vijay Deverakonda gives a convincing portrayal. In spite of his usual role as an unassuming middle-class youth, Vijay Deverakonda gets three combat scenes—two of which are unnecessary. His portrayal of the character is weak, despite his flawless performance.
There isn’t much room for Mrunal Thakur. In the first half, her role and scenes with Vijay Deverakonda are enjoyable, but in the second half, she mainly just has a serious face the whole time.
Jagapathi Babu’s screen presence is modest.
A standout performance by the rest of the cast is that of Rohini Hattangadi as Grandma. Many performers are there, notably the ‘Kantara’ duo of Vennela Kishore and Achyuth Kumar, but they don’t do anything noteworthy.
Gopi Sundar’s songs were technically sound. Although we only hear “Kalyani Vacha Vachaaa” after the credits roll, two songs, “Nandanandana” and “Kalyani Vacha Vachaaa,” are infectious. There isn’t much use for the other tracks.
This family film features the distinctive framing style of seasoned cinematographer KU Mohanan.
Comedic situations and heartfelt talks are Parasuram Petla’s forte. But this time around, his comedic efforts fall flat, and the emotional conversation comes across as more sanctimonious than anything.
The film’s editing should have been more precise; the running time and storyline are too lengthy. Elegant style and high moral standards characterise the play.
Analysis:
Parasuram Petla is a renowned director known for his lively story telling. Similar to Trivikram’s films, his focus is on family drama and comedic situations, with dialogues taking centre stage. While they worked wonderfully together in “Geetha Govindam,” he utterly bombed at “Family Star.” Aside from “Sarkaru Vaari Paata,” “Family Star” is another proof that director Parasuram Petla is bored.
At the film’s conclusion, you start to wonder if Parasuram was attempting to show “the man” who would sacrifice all for his family or if he was just following the formula of the classic “Geeetha Govindam” tale in which the protagonist and heroine attempt to get past their differences.
Beginning with his life as a family man who takes everything in stride, Vijay Deverakonda plays the lead role. The protagonist’s brother Ravi Prakash plays a character who, after failing the civil services exams, started drinking heavily. The song “Gang Leader” by Chiranjeevi sounds a lot like this one. As for why Vijay Deverakonda and Ravi Prakash are so far apart, the given answer is absurd.
The slow pace of the film and the lack of action in the first half don’t deter viewers thanks to Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal’s romantic subplot. Also, that interval twist is totally cool. The entire movie hinges on this scene.
The film, however, completely loses direction when Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal go for America. Everything that’s happening in America is so dull. Some ladies in Times Square think he’s a male prostitute, and it’s embarrassing.
The hero and heroine try to clear up any confusion in the second part, which is cliched stuff. If Parasuram had delivered these parts in a more engaging way, they too would have been entertaining. His comedic timing is his strong suit as a filmmaker. The problem is that not a single scene is funny.
The execution time is also very long. When it came to writing, Parasuram was at his best from the middle of the first half until the break. Everything else is artificial, imposed, and uninteresting.
Using the song “Kalyani Vacha Vachaa” past the end of the film is also considered illegal waste.
The narrative pace, emotional depth, and entertainment value of “Family Star” are all lacking, even if Vijay Deverakonda gives a decent performance and the film has a nice interval boom. It might have been a good viewing if the film had been shorter and had comedic elements. Unless, of course, it had the potential to become a TV serial. This two and a half hour journey ends up being more dull than entertaining.
Movie: The Family Star
ibomma Rating: 2/5
Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur, Vennela Kishore, Jagapathi Babu, Rohini Hattangadi, Achyuth Kumar, Vasuki, Ravi Prakash, and others
Music Director: Gopi Sundar
DOP: KU Mohanan
Editor: Marthand Venkatesh
Production Designer: A.S. Prakash
Producers: Raju- Sirish
Story, screenplay, dialogues and Direction: Parasuram
Release Date: April 05, 2024
