Review Overview
Performances
Screenplay & Direction
Technical Aspects & BGM
A middling rom-com at best!
Romeo Juliet is a middling debut by Lakshman, if not best. Though the film lacks emotional connect, it's marginally better than the ready-made romantic comedies parceled out in Tamil cinema.
Cast: Jayam Ravi, Hansika, Poonam Bajwa, Vamsi Krishna, VTV Ganesh, Arya (Cameo) & others
Cinematography: Soundar Rajan
Music: Imman
Editing: Anthony
PRO: Mounam Ravi
Written & Directed by: Lakshman
Produced by: Madras Enterprises
Distribution: Cosmo Village Pictures
Release Date: 12-06-2015
Run Time: 02:31:00
When there is a flurry of horror comedies gracing screens over the past few months in Tamil cinema, here is a romantic comedy – made by a debut film-maker – that tries hard to be inventive in its execution but gets bogged down by cliches and drilling contrivances. The film’s only silver lining is the occasionally superb screen presence of the leads, Jayam Ravi and Hansik Motwani, who gets a lion’s share of the run time on par with Ravi.
Instead of the regular hero-falls-in-love-at-first-sight, debutant director Lakshman sets off the proceedings refreshingly by making his lead lady (Aishu, played by Hansika) fall head over heels in love with the hero (Karthick, played by Jayam Ravi) at first sight. Not that we have never seen a film that is centered on a premise like this. But, the novelty factor ceases the very moment. The materialistic Aishu, who believes that money is the only factor that can keep her happy and help her lead a luxurious life, breaks up with Karthick after learning that he is working as a gym trainer. This comes as a shocker to Jayam Ravi who believes that love is beyond materialistic possessions. What happens thereon forms the rest of the story. I’m sure everyone of the readers must have guessed it by now.
The once-in-a-while humor in the screenplay works well. The second half fares really well than manipulative first half but towards the end, the film loses steam and ends up plainly melodramatic. The butt-numbing length of the film at 150 minutes comes as a huge worry.
Imman’s background score is the real strength of the film. He lifts even the most ordinary scenes with his rattling background score. And the songs are pictured well too, especially Dandanakka and Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai, where Hansika shines on screen with her hilarious antics.
Also, make sure you don’t go late to the theater. Ten minutes into the film, the inspiriting Dandanakka song finds its way onto the screen. That could be one of the reasons why you were planning to watch this film. So, we save you the disappointment. Be on time.
Romeo Juliet is a middling debut by Lakshman, if not best. Though the film lacks emotional connect, it’s marginally better than the ready-made romantic comedies parceled out in Tamil cinema.