Madras Matinee, directed by Karthikeyan Mani, attempts to capture the struggles of a lower-middle-class family in Chennai through a meta-narrative. 

The film follows Kannan (Kaali Venkat), an auto driver and garbage collector, as he navigates financial hardships and generational conflicts. Narrated by Sathyaraj, a sci-fi writer forced to write about real-life struggles, the film blends drama and humor but struggles with over-dramatization and uneven pacing.

While the performances are sincere, particularly by Kaali Venkat and Roshini Haripriyan, the screenplay often manufactures emotion rather than earning it. Some characters lack depth, and certain comedic elements feel misplaced.

Despite its ambitious storytelling, Madras Matinee falls short of delivering a compelling narrative, leaving audiences questioning its ultimate message.