Love, it is!. Review on Premam

As a non-malayalee viewer, I am sure I missed the  finer nuances of this adorable film. But as a cinephile, I got everything this film had to offer. The most recommendable thing about the film is the complete absence of Bollywood and its influence.

Although there is mention of Hritik Roshan in an unfortunate moment that runs down someone for being a darker version of the Bollywood actor, the film itself is miles removed from the sensibilities that charge Bollywood.

The un-madeup look of the actors was throughout, something I marvelled at, and enjoyed. The fact that none of the actors seemed to be acting out a scene is another reason. There is no phoney acting out of emotions and this makes all the emotions that are played out, more relatable and engaging. The way the hero grows from a teenager to a late twenty-something is unbelievable. In fact, I lost a bet because I thought the teenager was someone other than the latter day hero.

The note of self-deprecatory humour is an undercurrent throughout and never degenerates to the merely witty, sitcom variety. It took me a half-hour to orient to the sensibility of this film because everything was different about it.

But even then, there was never a dull moment. The three loves of our hero are all refreshing and capable actresses but my favourite is Sai Pallavi who as a saree clad teacher and break-dancing youngster is a complete upgrade of the oh so boring and cliched "heroine". The hero's friends look and act like friends and not side-kicks. Grateful for That realism too. Nivin Pauly as the protagonist is simply outstanding. What an unassuming performance. He looks the part every second.

What is a film without the ambience in which the story builds? The scenic small-town Kerala that is on view here is a more intimate, completely un-touristy version of the one we would normally see. The unique-looking college, the road-side shop and its local delicacies, the gated houses with their gardens, all of it.

I liked the lyrics of some of the songs. Fun at times and pop-philosophy at others. The only thing I found a little jarring were the fight scenes with the hyped background music. Even that was intended with a fair amount of wry humour. Still, a little weird. Other than that a complete package - this film. Hope it does break all the records it is set to.

I've always wondered why successful regional movies don't play in multiplexes with subtitles. I am glad I got a chance to see this. The last regional film I saw - Court - was also such a superior film. I wish all such good films, whether they win national awards or not, got quality subtitles instead of dubbing and got screen-time across the country. That is one way of encouraging national integrity I'd say!