A.R.M. (2024) - "An Adventure Drama which lack narrative depth"
Directed by: Jithin Laal
Written by: Sujith Nambiar, Vinay Yalamarthy
Starring: Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Laxmi, Rohini Molleti
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Language: Malayalam
Plot Overview:
In A.R.M., we follow the journey of Ajay, an electrician from Chiyothikavu, Kerala, who is in love with Laxmi. However, Ajay’s life is clouded by his grandfather Maniyan’s bad reputation, stemming from an incident where Maniyan stole the Sreeboodhi Lamp from the village temple. The story takes a darker turn when Sudhev (Harish Uttaman), a manipulative local, blackmails Ajay into searching for the hidden treasure. As Ajay embarks on this risky quest, he uncovers startling truths about the lamp, his family, and Sudhev's real intentions. The mystery surrounding Maniyan’s obsession with the lamp, the true identity of Sudhev, and the fate of Ajay’s love life with Laxmi are revealed as the plot unfolds.
Performances:
Tovino Thomas: Tovino delivers a solid performance, bringing depth and believability to his character, Ajay. His portrayal of a conflicted young man, caught between his family's dark past and his present struggles, is convincing and one of the film's strengths.
Krithi Shetty: Krithi's role is decent, but her character doesn’t offer much beyond being Ajay’s love interest. Her performance feels somewhat underutilized.
Aishwarya Rajesh: Aishwarya does a fair job with her part, but like Krithi, her role lacks enough substance to leave a lasting impression.
Rest of the Cast: The supporting actors, including Basil Joseph, Surabhi Laxmi, and Rohini Molleti, are passable but don't stand out in any meaningful way.
Technical Aspects:
Direction: Jithin Laal has created a world rich in potential, with intricate character development, especially for Tovino’s character. However, the storytelling and overall execution fall flat. The pacing and predictability of the narrative hurt the tension and intrigue, making the movie feel longer than it is.
Screenplay & Narration: The film starts with promise but soon becomes predictable. While the characters are developed well, the screenplay lacks the necessary twists and depth to keep the audience engaged. The narration, though steady, doesn’t do much to elevate the stakes of the story.
Music & BGM: Both the soundtrack and background score are underwhelming. For a film that blends action, adventure, and drama, the music and BGM play a crucial role in setting the mood and elevating tension, but here they fail to make an impact.
VFX & Production: The VFX is weak and detracts from the overall experience, making certain scenes feel less immersive. While the production values are generally decent, the visual effects feel out of place and unpolished, further weakening the film’s appeal.
Strengths:
World-Building & Character Development: The effort put into world-building and developing Ajay’s character, in particular, is commendable. Tovino’s character arc is well thought-out, and the dynamics between the characters feel grounded.
Tension & Mystery: The film tries to maintain a certain level of suspense, particularly surrounding the mystery of the Sreeboodhi Lamp and Sudhev’s real motives.
Weaknesses:
Predictability: The film’s narrative becomes predictable after a point, reducing the excitement. The twists are foreseeable, and the story lacks the necessary surprises to keep the audience invested.
Music & BGM: Both the soundtrack and background score are major letdowns. In a film that leans on adventure and mystery, the music should elevate the drama, but here it feels lackluster and uninspired.
VFX: The weak VFX hampers the overall visual experience, making it harder for the audience to fully immerse themselves in the story.
Story Execution: While the characters are well-developed, the actual plot suffers. The pacing is uneven, and the director doesn’t fully capitalize on the potential of the narrative.
My Personal Take On Cinema:
A.R.M. is a film that had a lot of potential, with its multi-generational storyline and character-driven narrative. Tovino Thomas delivers a strong performance, and the film excels in creating a believable world with well-rounded characters. However, the predictability, weak execution of the story, and subpar technical aspects—especially the music and VFX—pull the film down significantly.
While A.R.M. is watchable for fans of Tovino Thomas or those interested in character-driven stories, it falls short of being a compelling adventure-drama due to its lack of narrative depth and underwhelming execution. It’s a film with promise, but unfortunately, it doesn’t quite live up to it.
Rating:
2.25/5
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