29 Review: Ratna Kumar’s film has a new idea that loses its way before finding it
29 – Movie Review: Director Ratna Kumar’s film 29, starring Vidhu and Preeti Asrani, is a romantic drama. The film is about a man who will soon turn 30 and the beginning of his love life while struggling with an identity crisis. Although the film has the right intentions, it takes unexpected turns before getting on the right track.
A man about to turn 30 is struggling with an identity crisis. Love attracts him and his life changes for good. At least that’s what he thinks. But, his life changes after the initial days of courtship when an ambitious woman enters his life. How do these two people wrestle with their sorrows and ambitions as they navigate life? Sounds like any other romantic drama, right? Only it is not!
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In romantic dramas over the years, one half of the couple has often been seen to lack ambition, ultimately finding their purpose before their happy life. where Ratna Kumar’s 29 The difference is in its treatment. The film is divided into 10 chapters, whose titles resemble the titles of Gautham Menon’s film.
Satya (Vidhu) lives a monotonous life, is fed up with life and is constantly in search of an identity that he can be proud of or that matters to him. He enjoys the happiest days when Viji (Preeti Asrani) enters his life, but as their priorities change, the relationship becomes strained from both sides.
Director Ratna Kumar 29 Starts off on quite a shaky note. It introduces us to the ideal bachelor life of a 29-year-old man who lives in tight quarters with fellow men chasing their dreams. Aside from his incompatible issues with his mother and lack of caring support, Satya is a man who is devoid of light and happiness. It is Viji who brings that spark into his life.
Generally, when a film travels through decades it is divided into chapters. Here, we get to see barely a few years in the lives of Satya and Viji. Looking back, it makes you think that a lot happened too soon in their lives, which explains their turbulent relationship. While their bickering, sweet banter and attempts to find purpose make for a complete story, the film’s dialogues and performances let it down.
The dialogues in the film, especially the dialogues of the protagonist and those coming from his ‘mind voice’ Seeley, are extremely poor. It’s a far cry from the way we interact these days. Even though the film is based on the 2010s, the dialogues don’t leave an impact. The only character who is close to reality is Satya’s aspiring filmmaker friend, Mani (played by Avinash). His carefree one-liners bring much-needed relief to this dialogue-heavy film.
The performance of Vidhu, the main protagonist of the film, is ineffective as you can only see limited expressions which lacks the emotional weight of Satya. Vidhu needs to hone his skills to play a complex character like Satya. Everything that Preeti Asrani is is the epitome of Viji. In the early chapters, she almost plays the role of a Lusu Ponnu – the sweet, bubbly, innocent girl, who turns out to be extremely annoying.
Ultimately, 29 It doesn’t come together as a whole because of how unevenly the chapters are laid out one after the other. The film picks up its pace in the last half hour, by which time the film becomes unintentionally funny or tests your patience. There is no one in between.
Madhesh Manickam’s frames add life to the film, while Sean Roldan’s music fails to create the magic.
Be it the way Satya handles his breakup or how Viji seeks help from her mother, there are some enjoyable aspects that make 29 A unique idea. However, Ratna Kumar’s story is uneven and hence deprives you of the complete experience.