Pre-marital relationships, children born out of wedlock, ego problems and incompatabilty between married couples, childless couples and their yearning for a child, the obsession to beget a male progeny, abandoned babies and even the Sri Lankan ethnic strife — all form part of the screenplay here.
A good effort, the plot is cramped with too many characters and issues. But through all the differences and conflicts, the director has tried to bring out the inherent goodness in human beings.
The main plot is the one where a group of school kids — three boys and two girls, prepare to stage a Christmas play as a fund raiser. An enthusiastic lot, the kids decide to lend a realistic touch to the drama by using a real baby to play baby Jesus. The search for a suitable baby leads them through various situations. Some of these episodes are amusing, and look like they were crafted to cater to children. The rest deals with adult issues.
The John-Nila one is the most interesting episode, which initially felt like it was going the way of coming-of-age film, Juno (2007). Thankfully, it goes on a different tangent. How Nila bounces back with renewed energy from a distressing situation, is an inspirational story and narrated with a fair degree of competence.
Another good sub-plot is that of an auto driver played with finesse by Karunas. The obsession for a male progeny is brought out through this character.
Amusing is the moment where the kids, who surreptitiously carry the baby, meet John Vijay who tries to corner them. The part where the baby suddenly disappears, and the actors on the stage buy time by improvising on their lines, leads to some hilarious moments.
Finally all characters converge at the auditorium. Where differences are reconciled, issues resolved and its ‘all well that ends well’.
It’s a simple narrative that looks for easy solutions for bigger issues but because of that, even a lay man in the audience can relate to it. The film may not have a great script but makes up to an extent with its sincerity and its feel-good factor.