THIRI NERAM
ONE WORD: A Love Story Without Pulse: Ithiri Neram Struggles to Find Its Rhythm
A Review by Arunjyothi R
LANGUAGE: Malayalam
DURATION: 02 Hours 17 Minutes
DIRECTOR: Prasanth Vijay
GENRE: Romantic Drama
•POSITIVES:
1: Performance of actors
2: Music and Background Score
3: Comedies
4: Cinematography
5: First Half
•NEGATIVES:
1: Storyline
2: Half baked Screenplay
3: Average Direction
4: Slow paced
5: Second Half
STORY:
Anish, a well-known television journalist and the face of the popular talk show ‘Ithiri Neram’, plans to unwind with his close friends on the eve of his daughter’s baptism. But a single phone call throws his plans off course. On the line is Anjana — his ex-lover from college and the one person who still lingers in the corners of his memory. She’s in town for just one night. What begins as a casual conversation quickly turns into an impulsive decision to meet, setting the stage for an evening that neither of them could have anticipated.
Their reunion begins with soft laughter and polite exchanges, as they reminisce about the past and the years that have quietly slipped by. But as the drinks keep coming, the tone shifts. Their conversation turns raw and emotional, old wounds reopen, and truths long left unspoken begin to surface. Accusations replace laughter, and the comfort of familiarity becomes clouded with pain and desire. The chemistry that once bound them begins to re-emerge, blurring the space between fondness and regret, between what was and what could have been. Just as the night teeters between reconciliation and ruin, an unexpected event shatters the fragile calm. In a single moment, everything changes — leaving both Anish and Anjana caught in a whirlpool of guilt, confusion, and consequence. madness and every chase leads to a bigger mess.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS OF THE FILM:
At first glance, Ithiri Neram may appear to be a Malayalam adaptation of Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha’s 96, but it struggles to rise beyond that surface resemblance. What could have been an emotional tale of love, regret, and lost time ends up feeling shallow and stretched. The film tries to explore deeper themes like friendship and societal stereotypes, yet it only scratches the surface without any real conviction. Instead of drawing you into the emotional turmoil of its characters, it keeps you at a distance, never quite connecting the way it intends to.
The storyline, though initially intriguing, quickly loses direction. Anish and Anjana’s reunion — which should have been the emotional core — feels forced and repetitive. Their conversations lack the spark and depth that such a premise demands. What could have been an intense, reflective journey about love and mistakes turns into a bland exchange of dialogues that go nowhere. The writing fails to sustain the emotional weight of their history, and as a result, the story ends up feeling half-baked and emotionally hollow.
The screenplay is one of the film’s biggest letdowns. It starts off with promise but collapses under the weight of unnecessary scenes and repetitive conversations. There’s a constant sense of déjà vu, as if the same emotions are being revisited without any meaningful progression. The transitions between humor, nostalgia, and heartbreak feel abrupt, leaving the viewer confused about the film’s tone. The dialogues, though aiming for realism, often sound flat and uninspired, draining the scenes of energy and authenticity.
Prashant Vijay’s direction, unfortunately, doesn’t do much to elevate the weak script. His attempt at a subtle, minimalist style comes across as indecisive rather than deliberate. The narrative lacks rhythm, and the emotional beats rarely land. Instead of letting silence speak powerfully, the pauses feel empty and stretched beyond necessity. There’s an effort to replicate the emotional quietude of films like 96, but without the same sense of purpose or emotional payoff.
The pacing of Ithiri Neram is painfully slow. While a reflective tone can work if the emotions are gripping, here it feels like a drag. Scenes linger long after their point has been made, testing the viewer’s patience. The first half, though decent, quickly loses momentum, and the second half becomes monotonous. The film spends far too much time on prolonged shots and redundant conversations, diluting whatever emotional tension it tries to build.
The second half, in particular, is where the film completely loses its grip. What should have been the most impactful portion of the narrative becomes predictable and uninspired. The supposed emotional climax feels unearned, and the resolution lacks any real catharsis. The story meanders, unsure whether it wants to be a tragic love story, a character study, or a social commentary. By the end, what’s left is a sense of fatigue rather than reflection.
Despite these shortcomings, Ithiri Neram isn’t entirely without merit. The performances by Roshan Mathew and Zarin Shihab stand out as the film’s saving grace. They bring sincerity and emotional depth to otherwise underwritten roles. The supporting cast, including Anand Manmadhan and Nandhu, adds some natural humor in moments that could have easily fallen flat. The music and background score are soothing, occasionally lifting scenes that would have otherwise felt lifeless. The cinematography too is commendable, capturing the stillness and melancholy of the night with visual finesse.
The first half holds some promise — the setting, the chemistry, and the visual tone do manage to create curiosity. But that spark quickly fades as the film sinks into its own lethargic storytelling. Ithiri Neram has all the ingredients to be a soulful romantic drama, but what it delivers is a half-hearted, emotionally detached experience. It’s a film that looks beautiful but feels empty — a story about love and loss that, ironically, fails to make you feel much of either.
CONCLUSION:
Overall, Ithiri Neram is a film that carries the promise of emotional depth but never truly delivers on it. What begins as a heartfelt exploration of lost love and lingering emotions gradually slips into monotony and predictability. The sluggish pacing, undercooked screenplay, and uneven direction drain away much of the film’s emotional potential. Despite strong performances, beautiful visuals, and a soothing score, the storytelling feels hollow and disconnected. Ithiri Neram tries hard to be a poignant reflection on love, regret, and time — but ends up as a slow, surface-level experience that neither moves the heart nor stays in the mind once the credits roll.
RATING: 2/5
A Review by Arunjyothi. R
