Watch Christian Brothers
- NR
- 2011
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5.0 (912)
Christian Brothers is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Joshiy and written by Uday Krishna-Sibi K. Thomas. It boasts an ensemble cast of leading Malayalam cinema actors, including Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Dileep, and Sarath Kumar, with a support cast that includes Kavya Madhavan, Kaniha, Lakshmi Rai, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, and Raai Laxmi.
The movie traces the lives of the titular Christian Brothers — four individuals from a prestigious family — who are spread across the globe, having taken different paths in life. It delves deep into family dynamics, traditions, and the bond that persists despite the distance and varying life choices.
Vettickal family, around whom the story revolves, has a patriarch, Palomattathu Varghese Mappila, portrayed by Sai Kumar. He is a retired ex-military man of high esteem but his relationships with his sons are strained due to various life events and circumstances.
Mohanlal plays Christy, one of the brothers, who is enigmatic, tough, and lives outside India. He takes on the most dangerous and challenging tasks and is skilled in combat, having taken after his father's military background. Christy's career choice and the nature of his work have put him at odds with his father and siblings to some extent, forcing a distance that is both physical and emotional.
Suresh Gopi is Joseph, another brother who is a soft-spoken and disciplined police officer. His life is starkly different from Christy's as he upholds the law and carries a strong sense of justice and duty. His personality and career reveal his commitment to family traditions and his father's values. However, his life takes unexpected turns that test his character and family affiliations.
Dileep portrays Bijo, the youngest of the siblings with a more carefree nature, contrasting heavily with his disciplined brothers. Despite being nurtured in a family where discipline and decorum are of utmost importance, Bijo's aspirations and methods to achieve them are often sources of comedy and conflict within the family narrative.
And Sarath Kumar plays Andrews, who is not a biological brother but is considered part of the family. He shares a close bond with the members of Vettickal family, particularly with Christy. Andrews finds himself entangled in the complex web of events that the family goes through and plays a pivotal role in the story.
The leading ladies of the film bring contrast and depth to the narrative. Kavya Madhavan plays Meenakshi, a strong and independent lawyer, who is deeply rooted in traditional values and justice. She embarks on a personal mission that intersects with the lives of the Vettickal family, particularly with the brothers.
Kaniha and Lakshmi Rai portray roles that are central to the development of the personal lives of the brothers, revealing different facets of the characters and their relationships. As they navigate through love, duty, and familial commitment, their characters exhibit the complexity and the challenges faced by women in the context of the larger storyline.
The film is packed with action sequences, including hand-to-hand combats and high-octane chases that demonstrate the physical prowess of the characters, most notably of Christy and Joseph. These sequences are laced with traditional Malayalam action choreography that is familiar to fans of the genre.
Amidst all the drama and action, the narrative also embraces socio-political themes, exploring the nexus between politics and business. Certain characters in the movie represent the dark and corrupt side of society, acting as catalysts for the events that unravel throughout the film's plot.
Christian Brothers is not all about heavy themes and intense moments though. It offers delightful comedic instances, primarily through the character of Bijo, who adds humor to an otherwise serious storyline. This balance between drama, action, and comedy is carefully maintained to cater to a broader audience.
The film's music is composed by Deepak Dev, with songs that cater to the aesthetics of Kerala's culture, adding an authentic feel to the storyline. The background score plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional and thrilling sequences, ensuring the audience is engaged throughout the film.
The production value of Christian Brother is noticeable and aligns well with the grandeur of the family saga it portrays. The film's cinematography captures the varying locations and settings vividly, with some parts of the movie filmed outside India, adding a global feel that resonates with the international lives of its main characters.
Christian Brothers, overall, is an engaging blend of family sentiment, action, and suspense interwoven with moments of lighthearted humor. It seeks to present questions about duty, righteousness, and familial love through the lives of its principle characters. For fans of Malayalam cinema or those who enjoy multi-dimensional films melding different genres, Christian Brothers offers a memorable narrative of gallantry, honor, and brotherhood.
Christian Brothers is a 2011 action movie. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.