Neram

The movie was a good experience as I saw it, but I left the theatre without carrying any emotions with me. I am addicted to the emotional drugs that movie makers induce in me as I engage in their movies, I am no movie critic. When I think in terms of the photography, sound, cuts and other things I feel it was perfect enough to prevent any distractions, I say this because I don't know to evaluate in any other way. As I watch a movie I could see only one graph as a result, my emotional graph which represents how I am feeling. Through out the movie the graph had discreet but good plots, It was great if it was continuous. The emotions and graph just stopped with the movie's END. I usually hate that and want the graph end slowly and I should carry a bunch of emotions as I leave.

There! I said it. Everyone says Malayalam cinema is improving. I say it is declining. Let us consider NERAM. The dialogs in this film could have been written by a 10 year old. They are puerile. There is no substance whatsoever. Just a bunch of lame SMS and email jokes delivered by goofy actors like Nivin Pauly and John Vijay. Even mediocre 90s films like POST BOX NO 27 or CHEPPUKILUKKANA CHANGAATHI had better jokes than this film. It fails as a slapstick comedy as well as a thriller. The film is all about the presentation - stylish visuals, background score and fast cuts. The first scene with its monologue by the hero reminded me of the monologue in TRAINSPOTTING. The rest of the movie is not as eloquent as the first scene, so one is forced to conclude that it was nothing but a gimmick.

The performances were awful ..... even experienced actors like Lalu Alex, Manoj K Jayan and Shammi Thilakan are unbelievably self conscious. Moreover, they play characters that have been done to death in Malayalam cinema - the middle class uncle, the thug with a heart of gold and the goofy police officer. And the lead actor Nivin Pauly was awful in many of the scenes. I guess all his films would have to feature fast cuts or slow motions and numerous gimmicks which would help hide the inadequacies of the lead actor (the same was the case with THATTATHIN MARAYATHU).

Neram has lots of factors borrowed from Quentin Tarantino's movies. Mainly the cinematography, direction & slow-mo pause-resume style adoption during chase scenes. It works.

Starting off with funny credits, Neram talks about how a luckless lad is waiting for his time to get right. His life capsizes & resurfaces in a single day. All the commotion in between with some genuine characters is a treat to the viewers. Humor is limited but has credibility & punch. The unfolding of the straightforward plot keeps the viewers in their toes and with the background music so relevant, it pulls off. Fantastic camera work and even better dialogs.

Nivin Pauly charms while Nazriya suits along. Newcomers have done very well in portraying their characters. Every single character has a humorous side & that is what makes the movie very watchable. A very fine approach, although with stolen (read borrowed) elements. Another best part being when all the elements reveal they were co-related, it brings a shower of wonder.

BOTTOM LINE: A must-watch thriller which can make a pessimist laugh mostly because it relates an ordinary man. Highly recommended!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Profanity: No | Vulgarity: very Mild | Sex/Foreplay: No | Violence: very Strong | Gore: No | Alcohol/Smoking/Drugs: Mild

Though there is no spoiler in this review, if there are people (like me) who think a review could spoil the way they see the movie with their own opinions and perception, do not proceed further..:)

One of the most brilliant movies I have seen in Tamil Cinema. Well made, well pictured, well performed and finally really well EDITED movie. Was able to see the transformation of Tamil cinema (Vazhakku En, Vishwaroopam, Pizza, NDPK, Soothu Kavvum etc). This classy movie joins this list and also stands apart.

Was impressed in the first frame of the movie when they sport this "I copy from every movie ever made -Quentin Tarantino - I Agree to this - Alphonse Putharaen(Director)". Expectations rose when the director himself was the editor too. But unlike my recent disappointments, this movie continued to thrill, excite and humor me throughout its path.

First of all the movie is completely a real life story with only a little bit of cinema in it. Ever other scene in the film can easily happen to anyone of us here and it is completely genuine. Be it the narration, performance by actors, the romance between the couple, an understanding and practical girlfriend and many more...

Highlights: Brilliant camera, editing, acting, screenplay, BG music(awesome) and overall direction. Cons: If thought of deeply, certain scenes could be avoided.

Every other character plays a very important role in the movie and finally floods in to the really suspense climax. No wonder the director Alphonse Putharaen is a fan of World Cinema!!

This is just another movie without stupid duets and irritating fight scenes. Such movies becoming hit will keep at bay commercial movies that tarnishes the fame on Indian Cinema. Tamil cinema is not that far away from creating a masterpieces like Zindegi Na Milegi Dobara, Rang De Basanti etc...

Happy that I watched it in theater.

So querky and fresh for a Tamil feature film Director's touch is all over Neat & Unique making style Not only a good story, but also a good message/take away from the film A Must watch