Driving Licence HD Review

This film has one hero and one villian. One is a man in the cradle of privilege and the other is an average citizen who is expected to bow down to any and every authority. Between the privileged and the average Joe, you get to choose who is who.

Hareendran (Prithviraj) needs a new driving license having misplaced an old one so he can finish shooting a movie. And because even the vehicle inspector Kuruvila (Suraj) is his fan, things should all just fall into place. However, things have a knack to upend when ego starts rolling.

Directed by Lal Jr., and written by Sachi, Driving License has a story that seems laughably trivial. And laugh you will, because a lot of the dialogues are refreshingly hilarious.

Throughout the movie, Prithviraj as Hareendran seems like himself in television interviews, minus the causal and genial candor one sees in his demeanor. Suraj Venjarammood is an actor unto himself. It truly has been a good year for him and as Kuruvila, the star's ardent admirer in a dignified job, he keeps his stars shining. Saiju Kurup is a spot-on laughter initiator. Though his crafty politician is a cliche the actor makes it hilarious. MiYa's performance is also especially laudable. She adorably brings in the craftiness of a less educated homemaker who is pleased and annoyed with the little things in life.

Salim Kumar plays a character quite similar to the one he played in CID Moosa. His character is both trivial, and yet critical at the same time. Time and again, Driving License tries to poke fun at many aspects of the society, much of it is commendable. The digs at media and the film industry are rib-tickling and at times amusingly self depreciating. But it all falls flat eventually.

Driving License has a good start and quite a hilarious run time that proves quite the entertainer. But then, suddenly, it turns apologetic almost like an afterthought. Like every industry that's afraid to diss its loyal customers, Driving License is apologetic about fans' associations and other such fanatics who indulge in mindless deification of it's heroes, even at the cost of common courtesy and basic decency. And when the star is excused of mindless arrogance in the name of said privilege, who then has the last laugh? Why start a joke you cannot finish?

Driving License is a festival release, and has all the necessary elements to keep you glued to it. Mostly, it is a kick-back-your-shoes-and-enjoy fun ride.