How is it possible for a person to have two polar opinions about the same movie? 'Parava' managed to evoke both awe and indifference in one go. There are so many beautiful moments in the movie which evokes tender feelings. There is also the disjointed narrative featuring fights and drugs. Personally for me I think the movie should have stuck to the lives of the birds and left out the human strife and miseries.  That said, we get the feel of being borne up on the wings of a bird, experiencing up close their existence.

Set in and around Mattancherry, the story of 'Parava' is unravelled through two young boys. It is their story in essence and they have lived it up big time. It is when the grown ups show up that things turn murky and we wish for the young boys and the pigeons to light up the screen again. The life of Irshad (Ichappi) and Haseeb is one steady and exuberant flow of pigeon rearing, school, cricket, kites and fun. The tender way in which they look after the pigeons, the class leader episode, the school romance, kite making and cricket games are all so well narrated.

Then there is their rival in the pigeon flying competition played by Shine Tom Chacko and his cronies. The senior gang is everything the young boys are not. They are far from tender, rough, irritatingly brash and imposing. There are harmless run ins now and then. The opening sequence of the fish 'robbery' and the longs looks and pigeon stealing in between shape the story. It is the sub plot involving Soubin and Sreenath Bhasi in negative roles which is a huge let down. There are drugs and fights and what not to spoil the smooth gliding 'Parava' till then. The clichéd happy ending could also have been avoided.

Dulquer is kind of wasted in his extended cameo. As a do gooder the role doesn't offer him much and the smiling face in the end is too obvious and clichéd as the credits roll. All through the movie it is the boys and the pigeons who take the cake. They are so very engaging and one cant get enough of them. Both Amal Shah and Govind have acted with perfection. Even dialogue delivery is spot on. Shane Nigam as Ichappi's brother has emoted very well. Those gloomy silences in the beginning and emotional outbursts and tears later on are so very convincing. Shine Tom and others too makes their roles convincing. However Soubin in his negative role looks odd. He tries that ghetto villain style only to flatter heavily. Sometimes it even appears comic. Female characters are less and are there kind of to portray a social vice like the sexual advance that Srindaa's character had to encounter or the child marriage of Ichappi’s crush.

One of the movie's highlight is the close micro shots sensualizing even the trivial. The pigeon being fed from mouth, the reactions of the boys, the actions from the young romance and pigeon flight are all beautiful to behold. The camera frames are beautiful and candid. Songs by Rex Vijayan is very mellifluous and makes an impact. Edits are good and continuity is maintained. Soubin as a director has his heart in the right place. His style of making is commendable. Expect for the sub plot taking over and ruining the movie, he has been able to create a good vibe in the movie.

'Parava' is a sweet glide with young boys and cooing pigeons taking us for a beautiful ride- only cut too short, too soon with thug life and human miseries as the movie progresses.

Rating - 3/5