Skylab is a comedy-drama movie written and directed by Vishvak Khanderao and stars Nithya Menen, Satya Dev, Rahul Ramakrishna, Tanikella Bharani, and Tharun Bhascker, alongside other cast members. The movie has a runtime of 148 minutes.
– Skylab review does not contain spoilers –
Skylab would like to tell you that the people that it features are very odd and one of a kind. But the villagers of Banda Lingampally aren’t really that eccentric or odd. If anything, they will either seem normal or an everyday occurrence in movie villages.
For a good chunk of the first half, as Skylab goes towards its eventual climax, we are forced to watch inconsequential stuff that Anand and Gouri busy themselves with. There’s a lot of drama in the village that we get to watch that really doesn’t make sense, but is somewhat amusing. Before Skylab even shatters into a million pieces and hurls towards Earth, we watch Anand and Rama trying to do something with their lives and Gouri trying to prove to her Telugu master that she isn’t an entirely horrible writer.
There’s a certain air of theatricality in Skylab that makes it an interesting and oftentimes entertaining watch. Truth be told, if I watched Nithya Menen’s Gouri in any other movie, I’d be ready to throw a typewriter at her face in the first minute. But that’s not the case here. Although she is absolutely insufferable, there’s something very normal about her over-the-top behaviour that really keeps the movie going. The fact that she is so clueless about her privilege, thanks to her father, but hates her name being associated with that of her father is both thought-provoking, annoying and hilarious.
On the other hand, Satya Dev’s Anand, too, is a rogue who wants to make money easily. Along with Rama, played deftly by Rahul Ramakrishna, he tries to create a clinic in their small village, a task that gets done thanks to Skylab. The latter is an interesting concept that the movie brings in so very well. The way people’s moods and behaviours change thanks to the American space station is something to look out for. Human beings are, truly, complex. Moreover, Skylab is bathed in so many vibrant, beautiful shades that it will make watching this movie a sight for sore eyes – so many shades of blue!
Also Read: 2022 Horror Movies That We Can’t Wait to Watch!
There are some very emotional moments at the end that add to the humanity of the film and makes you connect with all of the characters, regardless of how much of an effect it had on the film as a whole. These tender moments are what make the movie worth it. Although most of Skylab is absurd and funny, these moments will make you sit up and take notice. By the end of it, you too sit up and wonder whether Skylab will shatter in this tiny village. It’s a weird way that the movie pulls us in and keeps you there.
Nithya Menen, as per usual, delivers an extremely believable and interesting performance. But, the real MVPs of this film are Vishnu Vijay as Seenu and Rahul Ramakrishna. Both deliver such nuanced performances that even in the short runtime that they are on-screen, they make the most impact.
Summing up: Skylab
Skylab is a fun and emotional movie that gets to your heart somehow that you won’t anticipate. The characters are well-rounded and have been made with love, their character growths are evident and natural and the way the movie depicts that through the use of a falling space station is both funny and heartwarming. Although the runtime is a bit much, it’s still a good watch, especially the emotional second half.
Skylab is streaming on SonyLIV.
Also Read: Dexter: New Blood Episode 10 Review: The End is Nigh!