Movie Review: Tourist Family ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tourist Family

Tourist Family bravely enters the contentious terrain of illegal immigration—

a subject that too often feels divisive and dehumanizing. Yet, in its entire

2-hour-6-minute runtime, not once does the film other its protagonists.

This is the quiet brilliance of debutant director Abishan Jeevinth, whose lens

finds tenderness where others might dwell on tension.

The story begins under the cover of night as a Sri Lankan family of four—

two parents and their sons—cross over into Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu,

aboard a fragile fisherman’s boat. What follows is an unexpected journey:

one part chase, one part comedy, and all heart. Thanks largely to the antics

of the youngest son (no spoilers here!), they evade the authorities and end

up in Keshava Nagar, Chennai—ironically, right in the heart of the enemy’s den.

The nuances of that tension are best discovered on screen.

From this point, the film blossoms into a khatta-meetha (sweet and sour)

exploration of community, belonging, and unexpected bonds. Teenage love,

light heartbreaks, and moments of innocence are laced throughout,

offering a much-needed emotional counterpoint in today’s high-strung world.

What’s most moving is how the film handles the broader themes.

Immigration here isn’t a debate—it’s a backdrop. The real story lies in the

quiet acts of empathy, the soft humor in daily life, and the deep ache of

longing to belong. The final act, subtle yet powerful, is a reminder that sometimes

it takes just a small act of kindness to restore faith in humanity.

In a time where every wall seems like a border, Tourist Family reminds us of

the bridges that still exist between us.

Verdict: A sincere and beautifully crafted film. 5/5.