'Pappachan Olivilaanu' review: A film balancing quirky characters with lacklustre pace

'Pappachan Olivilaanu', directed by Sinto Sunny and starring Saiju Kurup in the lead role, is a light-hearted comedy film. The story centres around Pappachan, who constantly seeks validation from others and struggles to live up to the legacy of his father, Mathachan (Vijayaraghavan). Despite the movie offering plenty of laughs, courtesy of Saiju Kurup and Aju Varghese's performances, it lacks a cohesive narrative flow.

Pappachan eventually finds himself entangled in a wild bison killing case, providing the spotlight he always yearned for, and the film unfolds around this intriguing incident. While watching the movie, one may draw comparisons with some Biju Menon films like 'Vellimoonga'. Though the storyline is different, Pappachan and Maamachan (Biju Menon's character in Vellimoonga) share similarities in their quirky nature and aspirations for fame. However, Pappachan lacks the charisma that makes him truly stand out, despite Saiju Kurup's brilliant portrayal of such roles.

The film dedicates considerable time to delve into the main events, specifically explaining why and how Pappachan goes into hiding. As a result, the first half of the movie focuses on a premise that might not be entirely necessary for the overall plot. Nevertheless, the movie manages to keep the audience engaged with a certain buildup, creating anticipation for what is to come. The second half of the movie fails to pick up pace and maintains a similar flow, without leading to a remarkable conclusion.

The story remains simple and straightforward, with an abundance of characters and comedic elements. The movie, in some aspects, presents a missed opportunity despite its array of talented actors, who were not fully utilized to their potential. For instance, Vijayaraghavan's character, Mathachan, was introduced with a promising buildup, leaving viewers expecting more from his role. However, regrettably, his character doesn't get the chance to shine as much as anticipated. The same is the case with Srinda.

The movie incorporates numerous elements that seem to deviate the story from its main focus. For instance, Saiju Kurup's strained relationship with his father and his past equation with his ex-lover are brought into the narrative but with little purpose or significance to the main plot. The movie's humour serves as a compelling element that holds it together, leading the audience to overlook its drawbacks.