Ustad Hotel

A very likeable first-half and an equally dragging second half! Anjali Menon tries to drive home a very relevant point, considering that Malayalam movies are now going the 'story with a message' way! Though her intent is worth an applause, I do wish the second half was as pepped up as the first! I'd given Dulquer's first movie a miss, but this one absolutely made me fall in love with the young man! His smile completely floored me and I'd go for every single movie of his to simply watch him smile! Provided, he doesnt go the Prithviraj way! He does seem to have his father's charm and a fair amount of talent. Way too early to judge him, though! The camaraderie between him and the veteran Thilakan was endearing. Nitya Menen in a miniscule role was a riot! Liked the streak of independence that her character was endowed with! However, the idea that a girl can follow her dreams secretly or only until her wedding disturbed me! Siddique's portrayal of the dad who thinks his daughters are better confined kitchen however young they are and the son ought to reach the pinnacles of success with education had the feminist in me seething!!! Perhaps, I still havent understood how the orthodox Kozhikodan Muslim family set-up is! Also, avoidable was the cliche that anyone educated abroad ends up with a girl/boy friend who's a foreigner! Thilakan - what talent! Strong, frail, humourous, helpless, romantic - myriad emotions in a span of over 2 hours!!! Overall, a fairly good movie from Anwar Rasheed & team! Go watch it in the theatre if you believe in encouraging young talent Rating : 4 out of 5