A Preachy Parable That Falls Flat

Despite a lively Saiju Kurup, this divine drama lands as a more hollow message than a heartfelt journey

- VIVEK SANTHOSH

N PAPER, Written & Directed by God is a fun-filled fantasy. A disillusioned young man confronts God, quite literally, and embarks on a redemptive journey. But in execution, Febi George's debut feature leans too heavily on old-school sentimentality and simplistic storytelling, never quite finding the spark needed to elevate its big ideas into compelling cinema. Saiju Kurup leads the film as Jijo, a struggling filmmaker with a chip on his shoulder and a bone to pick with the Almighty. When God, played by Sunny Wayne, appears before him, a fantastical road trip ensues. If the premise vaguely reminds you of Bruce Almighty, you are not wrong. Unlike that Hollywood satire, Written & Directed by God aims more for tear-jerking transformation than comedic chaos. Unfortunately, it neither embraces the fun nor manages the emotional weight convincingly.