A relevant story told with predictable beats
Tourist Family Movie Review: Ever feel like a movie is trying really hard to make you feel something, laying out all the emotional cues, but you’re just… not buying it? That’s kind of the experience with Tourist Family. The setup is potent: Das (Sasikumar), Vasanthi (Simran), and their two sons flee Sri Lanka for Tamil Nadu, becoming undocumented immigrants trying to build a life. Helped initially by Prakash (Yogi Babu,) they unknowingly end up renting an apartment owned by local police inspector (Bucks) in Chennai. Das seeks work as a driver, they try to blend in – it’s a relatable struggle, made more perilous when a bomb blast turns police suspicion towards Sri Lankans, eventually leading the hunt to their doorstep. Debutant director Abishan Jeevinth clearly wants to tell a story about resilience, community, and inherent goodness shining through adversity.
Where the film sometimes loses its footing is in how it demonstrates this goodness. Instead of letting situations breathe, it occasionally relies on plot points that feel less like life unfolding and more like predictable story beats designed to elicit sympathy. Need to show the family bonding with neighbours? Have an elderly lady conveniently pass away for a shared moment of grief. Need to highlight Das’s saintly patience? Introduce a deeply troubled neighbour (complete with a tragic Alzheimer’s-stricken mother backstory) who only Das shows concern for, culminating in a speech about his greatness. Even the inspector’s own teenage daughter gets casually folded into the family unit (left in their care while parents are away), becoming another convenient witness to their virtue. It all feels a bit too easy, too manufactured.
In between these emotional events, the comedy by and large works well. The film finds its anchor in the central performances. Sasikumar and Simran, sharing significant screen space for the first time, create a believable and grounded couple facing immense pressure. Sasikumar portrays Das’s determination and underlying warmth, while Simran brings a blend of vulnerability and strength as the mother holding the family together. Their natural chemistry is a definite plus. The younger son, played by Kamalesh, also provides moments of genuine levity (though sometimes his chatter grates), and the film’s use of authentic Sri Lankan Tamil dialect adds a valuable layer of realism to their interactions.
Tourist Family is a gentle look at the challenges of starting over, even if the narrative feels somewhat formulaic.
Written By: Abhinav Subramanian
