Ambili

Johnpaul George's 2019 Malayalam film follows Ambili, whom everyone in the town knows. He is different from his peers in mind; he hurts no one, helps everyone, and those around him both love him and take him lightly. The subject is the limit of that goodness. Ambili's friends begin to use him, and instead of defending its likeable character the narrative shows how the people around him behave. Soubin Shahir leads and plays the part without letting it fall into caricature. The narrative sets out on a journey in the second half and the tone shifts. Music and images of the town are foregrounded. Who it's for: those who like warm Malayalam character films. Who it's not for: viewers opposed to intellectual difference being used for comedy; the film sets this from an affectionate place but several scenes still rest on the character being laughed at.