“If a story does not end, how do you know if it’s good or bad?”

11 years after her directorial debut, Shalini Ushadevi came back with a science fiction drama which was screened at the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala 2023. Her first movie, thriller “Akam” (2012), was presented at 13 film festivals, including the Shanghai International Film Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival, and the Lund International Fantastic Film Festival. Since then, she created both fiction and non-fiction screenplays in many languages – Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and English as well. In 2022, she received the National Award for Best Screenplay for the film “Soorarai Pottru” (2020).

The narrative of “Ennennum” revolves around a married couple, Ouso (Anoop Mohandas) and Devi (Santhy Balachandran). They debate whether to become immortal by trying out a technological innovation in the form of a peculiar implant. At the insistence of a salesman, Jeeva (Ajithlal Shivalal), they agree to a three-day trial period to experience this new, and expansive, technology.

The movie initially delves into the philosophical implications of immortality, but after a while the main topic changes and starts to concentrate on the power dynamic of the main characters’ relationship. There are also instances of social and political commentary, as Jeeva talks about losing his job if the trial goes wrong, or when Ouso talks about “the party” his late brother was the leader of.

“Ennennum” raises interesting questions about the concept of immortality, especially through the character of Devi who says: “If a story does not end, how do you know if it’s good or bad?” – this line expresses the film’s central dilemma and invites the audience to reflect on the idea of an eternal life. Shalini Ushadevi decided to convey a lot of content through a minimalist approach, as the movie features very few characters, and the setting is limited to the couple’s home. The director’s approach creates an intimate atmosphere that intensifies the emotional and psychological depth of the protagonists. This choice not only underscores the isolation felt by the characters but also draws the viewer’s attention to the nuanced performances and the evolving dynamics between them.

The aesthetic of the movie is very measured, slick and still, with mostly static camera. The expressive means used by the cinematographer, Sreekanth Sivaswamy, emphasize the dystopian unease associated with using technology that goes against human nature, as well as the development of the plot and the growing distance between the spouses.

The acting in the film is also of a high standard. Both Anoop Mohandas and Santhy Balachandran effectively embody their characters and portray the changes in their relationship. However, Ajithlal Shivalal delivers a standout performance, serving as the cornerstone of the film’s sense of angst from the moment he appears on-screen.

In conclusion, “Ennennum” is a thought-provoking exploration of human relationships and the ethical dilemmas posed by technological advancements. Shalini Ushadevi’s minimalist approach, combined with good performances and evocative cinematography, creates an intimate picture. Despite its ambitious thematic scope, the film sometimes feels as though it has bitten off more than it can chew, as it doesn’t fully explore the themes it presents.

Even if you didn’t watch The Real Bros of Simi Valley during its three-season run, it’s likely you’ve seen GIFs or clips of a handful of scenes as they’ve made their way around the internet the last few years. The two most popular are easily “Bro, I’m straight up not having a good time” and “Yo Xan, get your boy, dawg.” As great as those moments are, they’re just a glimpse into what the show had to offer. So how does it fare as a movie, nearly four years after its last episode?

The Real Bros of Simi Valley Plot

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s a parody reality show, satirizing the lifestyle and culture of Southern California, in the vein of other reality shows, namely Jersey Shore and the Real Housewives series. It follows a group of nine friends in the titular Simi Valley in California. It’s a true ensemble cast, though Jimmy Tatro (who also directed and co-wrote with his longtime friend and creative partner Christian Pierce; the two co-created the show together) is ostensibly the lead as Xander, the de facto leader of the squad.

Picking up a couple years after the conclusion of season three, Real Bros finds the crew gearing up for their 10 year high school reunion. As the self-proclaimed sickest crew in their high school, they make it their mission to prove to everyone they’re still as dope as ever, if not even doper. And with the purchase of a brand new truck, Xander hopes to take home the coveted Truck of the Year Award handed out at every Simi High 10 year anniversary.

The Real Bros of Simi Valley Critique

Right off the bat, it’s completely clear Real Bros is not a serious movie in any way whatsoever. Sure, if you squint hard enough, there are glimpses of deeper themes and messaging sprinkled in. Don’t judge your happiness and and success off the happiness and success of others. If you’re happy, be content with who you are and where you’re at in life. Xander and his wife Molly (Colleen Donovan) have some very obvious marital problems. But those are often played as a joke, and are quickly resolved. And that’s fine. That’s not the movie Real Bros wants to be.

And that also makes it a pretty easy movie to critique. Do you like the mockumentary setup? Is this your style of humor? Do you find the characters interesting? If yes, then you’ll like it. There is such little story here, with such low stakes, that those aspects essentially don’t matter for how “good” the overall movie is.

The humor, though, is unique. You’re not going to find many movies (I can’t come up with any off the top of my head) with this kind of collection of characters. They’re very “bro-ey” and as a parody, the script leans hard into it.

For better or worse (better, in my opinion), Real Bros uses that style and setup to set itself apart from every other comedy out there right now. And for comedies these days, that’s really saying something, and is an impressive to pull off.

The biggest thing Real Bros has going for it is the cast and therefore characters as well. The entire main cast from the show returns, and they all jump right back into their roles as if the show ended yesterday. They all had three seasons to hone their characters, and it pays off in spades with the movie.

All the ins and outs, the smaller details for each of them, all of those were already known, and every character gets their own moment or two to shine. The cast already had great chemistry to work with. Some hurdles that other movies might have to work through, Real Bros didn’t have to give a second thought to.

While the humor and characters are the sole reasons for watching Real Bros, being so committed to the bit will likely push some newer viewers away. I appreciate it, but I was also coming in as a fan of the show. There are also certain character moments and storylines (one in particular with Xander and Molly’s son) where the jokes won’t fully land without having the context from the series. It’s not a huge ding against Real Bros, but there are a handful of moments and jokes like this, not just one or two. It’s still a low barrier of entry, but it bears mentioning.

In Conclusion

The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie is a terrific follow-up to the show. Tatro and Pierce have such a feel for these characters and that’s evident in every scene. Fans of the show don’t need to be sold on the movie. It’s more of what you already know and love, simple as that. New viewers may not be drawn into the overly “bro-ey” style and some of the more outlandish aspects. But I’d encourage everyone to give it a shot (watch the trailer first), as it’s in line to finish as one of the year’s funniest movies.

If you want to check out the show before watching the movie, the entire series is available on Tatro’s Life According to Jimmy YouTube channel.

The Real Bros of Simi Valley: The Movie is now streaming on The Roku Channel.

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Director:Chris Renaud, Patrick Delage

Cast:Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin

Published 05 July 2024, 20:44 IST