Marconi Mathai is actor Jayaram's return of sorts to the brand of feel-good cinema, where the characters are all white in shade. There are no antagonists as situations itself prove to be the greatest challenge to our protagonists. Directed by Sanil Kalathil, this middle-aged romance stars Jayaram and Athmeeya Rajan playing the protagonists.

Right from the start, the film sets its lighter tone, as we hear a monologue about 'goodness to all' which the visuals of a church's interior run in the foreground. The film revolves around Mathai (Jayaram gives an effervescent performance in this role), a former soldier, who presently works as a security guard in a quaint, old-fashioned bank (the place doesn't even have computers). A compulsive bachelor, Mathai gets a second shot at love after he meets Anna (played by Athmeeya Rajan), the new recruit.

Mathai's characterization is well-etched, where we see him as a passionate radio operator, who attempts to bring an FM station frequency in the radio sets of his town. The film's initial moments familiarizes the small-town location in an effective way, by positioning the bank as the center of the village and quirky characters surrounding it. But the lighter moments feel over sweetened by the jarring score.

The inconsequential moments set the tone of the film. However, some moments (like the creepy employee in Mathai's workplace) works against the mood of the film. The moments feel a bit overstretched thereby making them a bit less engaging. However, the film begins to hold our attention when we witness the meek romance brewing between Anna and Mathai, an old fashioned track that is characterized by love letters and shy glances.

Marconi Mathai biggest plus is that the film uses the simplistic off-screen presence of Vijay Sethupathi (who plays himself in the film). The scenes involving the actor adds more to the endearing nature of the film. But the film is a bit let-down by the predictable screenplay and situations. The film could have had better conflicts.

Minor glitches aside, Marconi Mathai is a light-hearted romance that finds beauty in its simplicity. The telephonic conversation between Vijay Sethupathi and Mathai is reflective of the film's poignancy. An engaging melodrama, despite the familiarity associated with it.