96 - Movie Review

I watched almost 150 minutes of just two people conversing, exchanging glances or walking together or sitting in the car together. But when the end credits started rolling, I felt the couple were not given enough time to spend with each other. That is the sheer magic of this nostalgia-fest 96.

96 is few hours spent between a pure gem of a gentleman of a guy and his school crush who is a very strong lady with good clarity of thought who meet after 20 years.The beauty of this setting is that they both still look at each other like school kids and not adults.

There is a scene in the movie where Ram, played by Vijay Sethupathy wants to compliment Jaanu, played by Trisha that involves talking about marrying her. He does not say it, he just acts it so cutely. One he is super cute and two that scenes defines the morality borders this movie had confined itself to. Ram forbids himself even to talk about marrying her. And Vijay's role is the epitome of that morality borders.

We all know Trisha, the diva. But in this movie she tries something different. She acts the role perfectly but she also walks the role. She walks like the age and character of the role, Jaanu. You will have to watch it to believe it. She looked so angelic and every bit the role of the elegant lady Jaanu. She has the best intro till date as in people wait for her to make the entrance and when she enters, the bgm is in next level and before Ram's heart beat increases, audience's will. Also watch out for her in the climax episodes.

Coming to the director C. Prem Kumar, take a bow. What a movie you have given us. The scene where Kadhale Kadhale song is played will have the total auditorium in tears. Life always takes unexpected turns but the constant question we always ask ourselves is "What if". That scene is a beautiful "What if". And when Jaanu sings "Yamuna Aatrile" I was smiling and also had tears in my eyes. So unfair C. Prem Kumar. The climax depicts the separation anxiety between the leads in best possible way. I do not want to reveal anymore about the movie even though I am finding it very hard to resist. In many scenes during the movie, I had tears in my eyes but could not understand the exact feeling inside me. It's as if the movie reaches out to your deeper feelings. The music by Govind Menon is the soul of the movie. The bgm and the songs have the effect of making you heavy hearted.

In short drop everything and watch 96 now.