Review: 29 The Film

Film: 29 The Film
Director: Rathna Kumar
Cast: Vidhu, Preethi Asrani, Avinash, Master Mahendran, Kiran, Sindhu Shyam, Premkumar, Aathira Pandiyalakshmi, Aarumugavel, Shehnaz Fathima and others
Cinematographer: Madhesh Manickam
Music director: Sean Roldan
Editor: R S Sathish Kumar
Rating: 3.5 stars

Director Rathna Kumar’s ’29 The Film’ is a purposeful, meaningful romantic drama that wins your heart by the time it ends.

Unlike some present day romantic stories that have more cringe moments in them than romance, Rathna Kumar’s film is aesthetically beautiful and set in a time when there were no OYO Rooms or touch screen phones. A time when loyalty was rated high and love meant the world. A time when even break ups brimmed with love.

The gender dynamics between the lead pair is honest and just thrilling to watch. For once, there is no attempt to force feed feminist riff raff and boy, is that a relief!

This is the story of a man, who, while fervently searching for his identity in society, ends up meeting a partner, who truly and genuinely gives him her heart.

Every genuine story of love is a beautiful poem. So, it comes as no surprise that 29 The Film seems like a finely crafted poem.

Two sequences in this film are enough to establish its class.

Sequence One: Sathya (Vidhu) and Viji (Preethi Asrani) are having a conversation on the beach. She is cross with him for not proposing to her.

Sathya, in his defence, says he was looking for a special place to propose to her. She thinks he is trying to lie to escape her anger. But then, he seeks a moment and tries pacing up and down the beach stretch until he finds a particular point.

He then calls her to his side and tells her that it was this spot that he was looking for to propose to her. Viji asks him what is special about the spot as it looks the same as the remaining stretch, with sand and stones.

Sathya replies, ” If you move a few yards to the right, you will hear the noise of vehicles plying on the road, if you move a few yards in the opposite direction, you will hear the sound of the waves. However, at this point, you will only hear the sound of the breeze over the waves like how you hear the breeze in a conch.”

A curious Viji tries moving around and realises that what he is saying is true. He then proposes to her, by popping a romantic question and she compliments him saying, “You are a tasteful admirer.”

Sequence two: There is a scene where both of them part ways. Both the lead characters’ maturity in this sequence is just outstanding and worthy of admiration. As much as I would like to give more details, I resist from doing so for fear of killing the joy that spectators might get from watching the sequence first hand.

Nevertheless, the manner in which the characters behave in this sequence makes this film a joy to watch.

To narrate this beautiful love story that is as much about self-discovery as it is about love, Rathna Kumar uses two wonderful artistes — the lead pair of Vidhu (who plays Sathya) and Preethi Asrani (who plays Viji).

Both own their parts so much that after a point you forget their real identities. Measured, elegant and mature, their behaviours win your admiration on almost all occasions.

Everybody associated with this film can be proud of it. Huge appreciation in particular for Kaarthekeyen for producing this film.

Director Rathna seems to have dug this story out from his very soul. Therefore, it is highly likely that it will connect with anyone and everyone who has a soul.

On the technical front, Rathna’s biggest support comes from that master musician Sean Roldan. His music is the heartbeat of this film. It amplifies every emotion on screen a 1000 times over. Mesmerising and mellifluous, he steals the thunder.

Working in tandem with him is the cinematographer Madhesh Manickam, whose visuals are a feast to watch. Every shot is well thought out and every frame, ideally lit. It is a treat.

In all, I must say 29 The Film has won me over. To be honest, I did not expect this film to impress me when I walked in to first watch it. I must confess, I am impressed.