Madras Matinee Movie Review: A flawed but endearing comfort watch

From the outside, the life of an average middle-class family might not be peppered with 'happening' situations. The struggles and the arguments might not translate to exciting and intriguing incidents on the screen. So, if you are taking a seemingly bland topic and making it into a drama, the flavour profile has to be enhanced. Madras Matinee, as the name suggests, is an overarching story about the various average Joes and Janes we see around us. In Madras Matinee, a science fiction writer, Jyoti Ramayya (Sathyaraj), is challenged to write a story about real people and, in turn, narrates a story that centres around Kannan (Kaali Venkat), and his family.

Director: Karthikeyan Mani

Cast: Kaali Venkat, Roshni Haripriyan, Sathyaraj, Shelly, Vishva, Sunil Sukhada, Madhumitha, Geetha Kailasam, George Maryan, Archana Chandoke, and Chaams

In true Chennai fashion, almost every character in Madras Matinee is hustling for a better life. This hustle is what makes them interesting and worthy to root for. Kannan is an auto driver who is trying to make ends meet for his family. Deepika (Roshni Haripriyan), Kannan’s daughter, is toiling in a different city, hoping to elevate the family's economic status. The others in Kannan’s family — his wife and son — are working towards this singular goal. Meanwhile, Madras Matinee also has politicians trying to gain clout, people trying to learn new skills, and a salesman who sells unnecessary advice along with his products. Apart from the dramatic lead roles, Madras Matinee is filled with an eclectic mix of simpletons, caricatures, and characters that are intriguing. Even the character of Jyoti has a certain intrigue, as we get to know him more through his observations of what is transpiring in Kannan's life. 

While the writing doesn't always allow the characters to flourish, Madras Matinee has performances that get the job done. Kaali Venkat as the struggling Kannan, Roshni as the quietly strong Deepika, and debutant Vishva as Dinesh play their parts with conviction that firmly grounds their characters in our memory.

Anand GK’s cinematography and Jacki’s production design make the world of Madras Matinee into a technicolour memory. With yesteryear films like Cleopatra being referenced, we are taken into a world of brightly coloured sets and costumes. This decision works well with the science fiction references and allusions to comic book panels. For example, in a scene where the writer Jyoti is narrating a story, the background has a bright white shade highlighted by orange hues, with Jyoti in the foreground dressed in distinctive colours, with a Kangol hat serving as a cherry on top.

While it is technically strong, the film has flaws when it comes to its screenplay. To avoid going into dramatic zones and leaving the audience with a heavy heart, Madras Matinee undercuts its conflicts, which ends up lowering the stakes for its characters. In a tense scene of the film, we see the full emotions of Dinesh being displayed after his voice has been dismissed repeatedly. But when a solution to the conflict is being played out, instead of maintaining Dinesh’s intensity, the scene fizzles out and turns Dinesh’s plight into humour. In another scene, Deepika, as a child, seeks her father’s comfort after she is bullied. Her father, in jest, replies that he will use violence on those kids. The dialogue plays out in a rather insensitive manner. Also, this scene, which sets up a mental block for Deepika, is again fizzled out to create some levity. In trying to balance drama and humour, the film keeps oscillating incessantly, instead of flowing organically.

True to its title, the film does have the makings of a breezy watch on a quiet afternoon. There are interesting visuals and intriguing characters that can ensure that you are entertained. However, flaws in its writing distract you from having a holistic experience.