Madras Matinee

Relatable for the middle class audience. Great acting and execution by everyone involved in the movie. Well made! Especially Kaali Venkat, Roshni and Sathya Raj's dialogue delivery was cherry on the top. One of the best family oriented movie in 2025, in Tamil cinema industry. The perfect way of storytelling such story is that, not over glorifying any type characters. Be it parents, children and any relationship of the family. That's what perfectly done by the director. Nothing fancy nor greatful to point at. Simple and elegant making of cinema. This movie casting was on point in each & every role and they delivered it wonderfully. Overall, "Perfect for middle class audience"

Raw, real, hard hitting and all cinema! Anyone who appreciates a good story, good cinema will enjoy this movie tremendously - but it is not dry and 'artsy' - but poetic, vivacious and charming!

I saw this by pure chance on OTT (did not even watch the trailer and knew nothing about it ) - but the movie pleasantly surprised me!

The tone and storytelling, framing reminded me of a Wes Andersen film - vivid colors and POV shots, wide angle sweeping shots - but not as a style option - but as a means to give you the 3rd person view - sort of like the eye of the narrator as you journey with the narrator on the life of this 'Middle Class' or 'Lower Middle Class' - simpleton and his family.

The screenplay is top notch, backed up by some good acting ( great at some places) - Score and Music felt a bit abrasive and loud for my liking - but over all - technically it is well made.

Dont want to talk anything about the story or details about the character - since this movie is best experienced as I did - without knowing anything about it !

Verdict - Highly recommended !

In our small world, we, the middle class people, have our own set of adventures, from making ends meet, educating the kids, marrying them off (say no to dowry), celebrating festivals in a way that meets some elusive societal standards, taking care of parents, repaying loans and paying premiums while saving our face and reputation. It is full of drama, romance, action, comedy, all in one.

Madras Matinee does justice in capturing this essence, it wasn't a movie; more like a documentary with Sathyaraj's commentary in the background, with several impactful narrations.

The casting was on point, with no overwhelming, dramatic music, just the monotonous lull of routine.

It was grossly interrupted by uninspiring humor, the only negative I could find in this True Story.

The father: the pain he feels when he is disrespected by his children, the fear of failing in front of them, the sense of worthlessness he carries like a cross throughout his life, admits to not have received any guidance but the only genuine constant is the responsibility he feels for the happiness of his family, his children. His joy in learning to ride a car, because it was a novelty, the first time he decided when to accelerate and when to press brake and could finally steer his own path. Probably a moment of self-discovery for a man who never knew what pleasure feels like. Painfully ignorant of the silent reputation he has earned through his simple living. "Amaidiya irundha awkward aiduvaru"

The mother: Sensible, companion and confidant to her kids, finding happiness in the myriad household chores, the backbone that supports the so-called man of the house, hiding her own sorrows and desires and drinking it up with her timely tea. Panam irundha podhuma, pasamum venum nu purinjavanga.

The elder daughter: Shouldering responsibility, accepting all turmoils with a steely determination, repressed and oppressed and fighting for a voice without probably realising she was bullied, fighting for her freedom, wanting to take flight but tentative on her tender wings, wanting to change her life's trajectory while battling her loyalty to her parents's values. Amul baby um, judgemental aunties um vendam nu oru mudivu.

The younger brother: Quick to anger, quick to judge, quick to feel and quick to let go. He needs his sibling's counsel and shoulder, exploring adolescent infatuation and declaring, "Coimbatore lam boring, Chennai dhan Mass" Ellathayum vedukkunnu seiyaradhu. He probably knows, roshathoda vaazha kaasu mukkiyam illa.

Their choicelessness, hence resolve, as they take on the next day as if nobody died (RIP Brownie) the previous night.

Some Gems: Final rites are the celebration of the life that they lived.

Na summandha en uyir ippo enna sumakkudhu Petrol (kuppai) vasanai varakudathunu kulichuttu varadhu.

Evlo panninanalum edho oru kora vachitta mathiri irukum.

Tamil ah bhagawan dhan kaapathanum

Conclusion: Definitely heavy hearted and teary eyed, with the realization that the more we notice the ones below us in the rungs of societal privileges, the more grateful we can be, yet we look at what we don't have so our next generation can access those too. (adutha thalaimurai aadhu thala thookanum).

Middle Class Makkal oda manasila irukra bayam, vidhikka pattadha, vidhaikka pattadha nu oru kelvi.

The theatre was silent throughout, except for the sniffles and sobs and cheers only in the end, remembering their childhood lost to the inevitable Ethir Neechal.

You will know the movie had you by your heartstrings if you went home and mustered the courage to have an open conversation with your family.

A beautiful movie well crafted by the director with excellent performances by almost everyone especially Kaali Venkat, who deserves an award.

That one scene where he comes home drunk exposes his awesome talent.

The short scene between the sister and brother later in the film was very poetic.

All middle class persons would relate to this story. The typical struggle of a middle class father is very well brought out.

Very simple narrative with subtle humour and touching scenes.

Kudos to the director, cast and crew for this wonderful experience.

Movie should have got the recognition like Tourist family. Very unfortunate that it did not get it.

Simple middle-class Life of Kannan, Kamalam, Deepika, Dinesh, Brownie. Well written, screenplay and directed, in the era of wasting highly talented artist in useless roles, appreciate the director's clarity on each character and ensured most of the characters are close to reality (Settu family, chameleon prema and support guys, boomer uncle, alliance guy n family, archana) everyone did not act, they lived their characters. Cinematography and music is great, Sathyaraj voice over and narration is cherry on top, editing could've been better as confused on the timeline and bit lag in few scenes. It's a clean movie which can be watched with family. Happy to see tamil cinema is going in right direction and more family in theatre(was wondering why only malayalam industry has good realistic movie, this is another movie to close to reality) wasn't there any flaws? Yes there are few(like lags in few places as mentioned above, few mysterious characters like archana without any background) but as a true cinema lover can ignore those negatives, really enjoyed this movie and would recommend everyone to watch it in theatre with family and friends.