A good family entertainer, a feel-good movie, a movie that a viewer can identify with, but one that cannot boast of anything spectacular or standout - this is how we can summarily describe 'Ennum Eppozhum'. The fact that the gifted actor Mohanlal has paired with the immensely talented Manju Warrier did evoke huge expectations about the movie, but keeping those expectations apart, the movie, tailored in the usual Sathyan Anthikkad style and one within his comfort zone, certainly connects to the audience.
The storyline does not deviate much from the usual template of his, where a bunch of nice people who are willing to help each other stand behind an equally nice lead pair. Despite the odds that they are faced with, the characters move on, helping the story line move on too, and end on a high note - leaving a feel-good factor in the viewers' minds.
The lead characters are Vineeth N Pillai, enacted by Mohanlal and Deepa, done by Manju Warrier. Vineeth is the chief reporter of a women's magazine and Deepa is a fiery lawyer, who is known to fight the establishment for the common people. The story line indicates that Vineeth is quite experienced as a reporter and by doing several stories and features has helped the magazine gain the position that it now commands. However, as an employee he is irresponsible and has lost his passion in his profession, not living upto the expectations by the management. A lawyer who has leanings towards a social-activism, Deepa gets into the news for her social interventions and brave fights against the authorities. A single woman mother with a young daughter, she is also a good dancer. A pretty young lady - daughter of the Chief Editor of the magazine- (enacted by Reenu Mathews) armed with qualifications from abroad becomes Vineeth N Pillai's new boss. She gets restive with Vineeth's lack of discipline in his job, and decides to show him the door. He is then given the task of getting an interview from Advocate Deepa for the magazine's special issue on women who have contributed to the society. Deepa remains uninterested, but he does not give up in his efforts to have an face-to-face interview with her.
The first half of the movie indulges more in the introduction of characters than unfolding any situations. It gains momentum only from the post-intermission stage. Deepa's close friend Fara (enacted by Lena) also comes to the scene about this time. Deepa's ex-husband is not a character who we see in the movie, but we get to learn of his rather cruel behavioral pattens through certain situations that unfold as the movie progresses from here. Even though divorced, he keeps Deepa's and their daughter's whereabouts within his radar, and his sudden invisible intervention becomes a turning point in the movie. Almost parallel to this, Deepa and Vineeth get closer situationally, amidst twists and turns. Vineeth, through an inexplicable bondage, turns in as her protector. The finest moment in the movie comes as the very last scene of its, where Vineeth, amidst the backdrop of a vivacious rain, is starting writing his piece for the magazine after having completed his interview with Deepa, and she calls him on the phone at that very moment.
Sathyan Anthikkad has successfully used nostalgic references from prime movies of the past as occasional interludes in this movie, which has certainly managed to evoke feel-good memories in our minds.
Thinking of the movie-constituents, the storyline is perhaps the weakest link in this movie. It does not give enough substance to any of the characters that make their roles challenging enough, nor does it deviate from the trodden path. Unless the roles are strong enough, even immensely talented actors like Mohanlal or Manju would struggle to come up with performances that are sterling. However, both of them ably supported by other actors like Lena and Innocent have managed to come up with a good show. On the whole, the film may have had elements of predictability ingrained in it where you know what's going to happen next, but we will surely end up enjoying the show, as the movie unfolds.
Rafeeq Ahmed has penned four beautiful lyrics for this movie, set to music by Vidyasagar. The best of the lot is the song 'Malarvaaka kombathu' sung by the ever-green Jayachandran and Rajalakshmi. That song particularly will remain in our minds.