29 review: Rathna Kumar's film has novel idea that loses its way before finding it
29 – The Film movie review: Director Rathna Kumar's 29, starring Vidhu and Preethi Asrani, is a romantic drama. The film is about a man who'll soon turn 30, and his tryst with love while battling an identity crisis. While the film's intentions are right, it takes unwanted detours before getting on the right path.
A man who is about to turn 30 is battling an identity crisis. Love beckons him and his life changes for good. At least that’s what he thinks. But, when an ambitious woman enters his life, his life takes a turn after the initial days of courtship. How do these two people battle their traumas and ambitions while figuring life out? Sounds like any other romantic drama, right? Only it’s not!
Romantic dramas, over the years, have often been about one half of the couple lacking in ambition, eventually finding his/her purpose before their happily-ever-after. Where Rathna Kumar’s 29 differs is in its treatment. The film, split into 10 chapters, with titles that resemble Gautham Menon’s movie titles.
Sathya (Vidhu) leads a monotonous life, fed up with life and constantly looking for an identity that he can be proud of or one that makes sense to him. When Viji (Preethi Asrani) enters his life, he enjoys the happiest days, but the relationship is pulled from both ends as their priorities change.
Director Rathna Kumar’s 29 begins on a rather shaky note. It introduces us to what we call the ideal bachelor life of a 29-year-old, living in crammed spaces with fellow men who are chasing their dreams. With uncompromising issues with his mother on one side and a lack of caring support, Sathya is a man who is devoid of light and happiness. It is Viji who brings that spark into his life.
Generally, a film is split into chapters when it traverses through decades. Here, we hardly witness a couple of years in Sathya and Viji’s lives. In retrospect, it makes you think that too much happened too soon in their lives, which explains their turbulent relationship. While their squabbles, sweet nothings and attempts to find purpose make for a wholesome story, the film’s dialogues and performances hold it back.
The film’s dialogues, especially the protagonist’s and the ones that come from his 'mind voice', Seelay, are borderline cringe-y. It is far removed from how we converse these days. Even though the film is set in the 2010s, the dialogues do not make an impact. The only character that’s closer to reality is Sathya’s aspiring filmmaker friend, Mani (played by Avinash). His nonchalant one-liners bring in the much-needed relief in this dialogue-heavy film.
The performance of Vidhu, the film’s lead, is ineffective as you can only see a limited range of expressions that doesn’t carry the emotional weight of Sathya. Vidhu needs to hone his skills to play complex characters like Sathya. Preethi Asrani embodies Viji with all that she’s got. In the initial chapters, she almost plays a loosu ponnu – the cute, bubbly, naiive girl, who is borderline irritating.
Lastly, 29 doesn’t come together as a whole because of how uneven the chapters are stacked one after another. The film gets its act together in the last half an hour, until then, the film ends up being unintentionally funny or tests your patience. There’s no in between.
Madhesh Manickam’s frames add life to the movie, while Sean Roldan’s music falls short of creating magic.
Be it the way Sathya handles his breakup or how Viji seeks help from her mother, there are some delightful stretches that make 29 a novel idea. However, Rathna Kumar’s story is uneven and hence robs you of the wholesome experience.
A man who is about to turn 30 is battling an identity crisis. Love beckons him and his life changes for good. At least that’s what he thinks. But, when an ambitious woman enters his life, his life takes a turn after the initial days of courtship. How do these two people battle their traumas and ambitions while figuring life out? Sounds like any other romantic drama, right? Only it’s not!
Romantic dramas, over the years, have often been about one half of the couple lacking in ambition, eventually finding his/her purpose before their happily-ever-after. Where Rathna Kumar’s 29 differs is in its treatment. The film, split into 10 chapters, with titles that resemble Gautham Menon’s movie titles.
Sathya (Vidhu) leads a monotonous life, fed up with life and constantly looking for an identity that he can be proud of or one that makes sense to him. When Viji (Preethi Asrani) enters his life, he enjoys the happiest days, but the relationship is pulled from both ends as their priorities change.
Director Rathna Kumar’s 29 begins on a rather shaky note. It introduces us to what we call the ideal bachelor life of a 29-year-old, living in crammed spaces with fellow men who are chasing their dreams. With uncompromising issues with his mother on one side and a lack of caring support, Sathya is a man who is devoid of light and happiness. It is Viji who brings that spark into his life.
Generally, a film is split into chapters when it traverses through decades. Here, we hardly witness a couple of years in Sathya and Viji’s lives. In retrospect, it makes you think that too much happened too soon in their lives, which explains their turbulent relationship. While their squabbles, sweet nothings and attempts to find purpose make for a wholesome story, the film’s dialogues and performances hold it back.
The film’s dialogues, especially the protagonist’s and the ones that come from his 'mind voice', Seelay, are borderline cringe-y. It is far removed from how we converse these days. Even though the film is set in the 2010s, the dialogues do not make an impact. The only character that’s closer to reality is Sathya’s aspiring filmmaker friend, Mani (played by Avinash). His nonchalant one-liners bring in the much-needed relief in this dialogue-heavy film.
The performance of Vidhu, the film’s lead, is ineffective as you can only see a limited range of expressions that doesn’t carry the emotional weight of Sathya. Vidhu needs to hone his skills to play complex characters like Sathya. Preethi Asrani embodies Viji with all that she’s got. In the initial chapters, she almost plays a loosu ponnu – the cute, bubbly, naiive girl, who is borderline irritating.
Lastly, 29 doesn’t come together as a whole because of how uneven the chapters are stacked one after another. The film gets its act together in the last half an hour, until then, the film ends up being unintentionally funny or tests your patience. There’s no in between.
Madhesh Manickam’s frames add life to the movie, while Sean Roldan’s music falls short of creating magic.
Be it the way Sathya handles his breakup or how Viji seeks help from her mother, there are some delightful stretches that make 29 a novel idea. However, Rathna Kumar’s story is uneven and hence robs you of the wholesome experience.
