Little Hearts Malayalam Movie
In one of its romantic premises, 'Little Hearts' takes the big responsibility of dabbling with a bizarre romantic affair. While the film showcases two familiar love affairs, the third one appears to be taboo in a regressive society. The subject is not alien to us but there is a compromising retreat from the part of writer-director duo Anto Jose Pereira and Aby Tresa Paul who overlook the grave aspect in it. It could be part of their efforts to sustain the delightful and feel-good milieu of the film. Meanwhile, the romance of 56-year-old Baby Thottathil, effortlessly played by Baburaj, appears to be more powerful and intense among the three romantic affairs being discussed in the flick.
By exploring various shades of romance, this feel-good film becomes pretty intense at one stage when the dilemma of a family is exposed in the conflict zone. But in the phase of denouement, the writing appears to be slipshod, forcing the proceedings march towards a predictable track. However, the blooming of three types of love affairs is delightful to watch with the leading actors exuding their natural mien by shedding dramatic hues.
Baby's efforts to marry Sisily (Ramya Suvi), who is mother of a 16-year-old daughter, turns out to be the most appealing sequences in the movie due to the former's intense sincerity towards Sisily, who is married to a lunatic. Obviously, the love affair between Baby and Sisily is more mature and the directors have given much attention in its treatment. The love affair of the new generation is narrated through the relationship between Baby's son Sibi, essayed by Shane Nigam, and Shosha (Mahima Nambiar). It is a predictable relationship as far as the tale is concerned and one can witness all the follies and frailties of their age in it.
Set in a high-range village Pushpakandam, 'Little Hearts' follows the families of Baby, a widower, and his bosom friend Johnson (Renji Panicker) and wife Anitha (Maala Parvathy). Johnson's daughter Shosha falling in love with childhood friend Sibi is a perfunctory part in the screenplay that is able to sparkle lighter moments. The conflict is set with the arrival of Johnson's son Sharon (Shine Tom Chacko) from the UK. The major portions of the film are invested in solving the hurdles in Baby's love affair with Sisily's uncle Paappan (Jaffer Idukki) posing a hindrance to their love.
Here, the director duo tries to unfurl layers of romance through the lives of different generations and there is freshness in the treatment of the love tale of Baby. It is a natural and exquisite performance by Baburaj, whose presence sets up a strong foothold for the film and makes the events appealing. His combination with Ramya Suvi is a perfect sync in the movie and their relationship stirs up a few questions regarding one's dilemma in marriage life. Far from his angry young man image, a flexible and fluent Shane Nigam makes his presence felt by donning a lovable son with ease. Though a downsized character, Shine Tom Chacko imbibes well the emotional crisis of Sharon.
As 'Little Hearts' tries to negotiate the plot conflict, the script derails from its task by slanting towards the fragile issue between Sibi and Shosha. The usual loud scenes have been treated mildly, including the style of presenting dialogues, with succinct emotions. Even after setting a relevant conflict, the film faces a dearth of ideas about how to take it forward. This area triggers the downfall of the movie showing the traits of predictability.
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