NEEK Movie Review: Dhanush’s third directorial is an experimental film with a tried-and-tested formula

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Dhanush’s third directorial project, titled “Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam,” or simply “NEEK,” is generating a lot of excitement as one of the most awaited Tamil films of this year. This film is a blend of growing-up romantic comedy and boasts an impressive young cast such as Pavish Narayan, Anikha Surendran, Mathew Thomas, Priya Prakash Varrier, Rabiya Khatoon, and others in significant roles.

At long last, the movie made its grand debut on February 21st, drawing moviegoers from every corner of the nation eager to catch a glimpse. Yet, is NEEK truly deserving of all the buzz? Let’s delve into it together!

The Plot:

The story unfolds around Prabhu, a young man in his twenties who’s still healing from a breakup that happened last year. Before he could get over it, his parents are pushing him into an arranged marriage. Ironically, the girl they’ve chosen for him, Preethi, happens to be an old school friend.

In this retelling, Protagonist shares his romantic history with Character Two and discloses the reason behind their separation. He encourages him to face his past in order to leave it behind and motivates him to attend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend Nila, played by Anikha Surendran. The key incidents that take place during the wedding serve as the core narrative. Additionally, the movie features a series of engaging subplots for the supporting characters as well.

The Good:

When viewing Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam, what immediately stands out is the exceptional cinematography by Leon Britto. Not only does he employ a striking color scheme, but the captivating shots and casual camera movements give the impression that viewers are right alongside the actors throughout the entire film.

Alongside the film’s captivating cinematography, Prasanna GK’s exceptional editing work plays a significant role. In fact, Prasanna had previously collaborated with the lead actor from VIP in his 2024 directorial project, Raayan. Through clever editing techniques, Prasanna skillfully intertwines the narrative to emphasize the significance of each character and uses editing as an effective tool for storytelling.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the music composed by GV Prakash Kumar significantly contributes to the film NEEK. His melodies and scores have infused life into the movie, enhancing every scene to a remarkable degree. There can be little debate that his music played a crucial role in elevating the overall experience of watching the film.

It’s worth noting the exceptional work of the film’s art team, comprising production designer Jacki, costume designer Kavya Sriram, and art director Murugan. They have expertly designed each scene, effectively translating the director’s creative vision onto the screen.

In summary, Dhanush’s writing in NEEK stands out as one of its most notable strengths. Though some might find the dialogue lacking, there can be no question that the unique structure crafted by the actor brought a fresh perspective to the storyline. Every character played an essential role and contributed significantly to the narrative. Moreover, the film’s compact runtime is another advantageous aspect.

Beyond this, it’s worth noting that as a writer, Dhanush has skillfully shattered common rom-com conventions in Tamil cinema, infusing them with unexpected humor. The film’s comedic elements are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Moreover, Dhanush’s directorial prowess is evident in this project, demonstrating his versatility across different genres, a trait that has been showcased in his previous works and most notably in NEEK.

The Bad:

As a lifestyle expert, I must admit that the movie was indeed engagingly structured, but its plotline didn’t quite hit the bullseye for me. The movie was marketed as “A usual love story,” and it did deliver on that promise, but left me yearning for something more innovative or unexpected.

In each scene, the plot, dialogue, and to some degree, the characters’ development were quite foreseeable. It appeared as if the director was making an effort to appeal to younger viewers, which at times felt overly contrived. The movie seemed reminiscent of films from the early 2000s, but the character arcs remained unchanged.

Indeed, when the movie concludes, it seems as though the film’s main issue could have been resolved if the principal characters had found a method to openly communicate with one another. If the creators intended for this portrayal of twentysomethings to be accurate, then I think they overlooked some essential real-life observations.

A significant issue with the movie was its dubbing quality. It was noticeable that the spoken words didn’t match the actors’ mouth movements, and this inconsistency was apparent from the start, potentially disrupting viewers’ enjoyment. Furthermore, both the Easter eggs and dialogue within the film often seemed mismatched or ill-fitting throughout many scenes.

Although one might contend that the creators pledged a typical love story, it’s clear that even the most predictable narrative can transform into an engaging tale when skillfully presented. NEEK seemed to emulate a familiar love story, but attempted to redefine stereotypical aspects in a more optimistic light.

Notably, Dhanush’s choice to create a romantic comedy featuring relatively inexperienced actors is commendable. Yet, the director’s past work clearly demonstrates his filmmaking skills, and NEEK appears to fall short compared to his best works. The effort to attract a younger audience seemed excessive, lacking a deep understanding of contemporary youth culture.

The Performance:

From its announcement, NEEK’s main allure lay in its youthful, high-profile cast. The movie features Pavish Narayan, Dhanush’s nephew, as the leading actor. Remarkably, he bears a striking resemblance to Dhanush from the 2000s, not just in his dialogue delivery but also in his mannerisms. This similarity works well for most scenes, yet it sometimes evokes a sense of familiarity, making some moments feel like repetitions of past performances. In other words, while his portrayal fits for the majority of the scenes, the recurring similarities can at times create an impression that the audience has seen such scenes before.

In the movie titled “Nila,” Anikha Surendran takes on the main female role. She beautifully depicts a charming wealthy girl who finds herself smitten with a boy from the lower class. While Anikha’s portrayal of the character’s emotional turmoil was convincing, her delivery of lines seemed off at certain moments.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to highlight that both Mathew Thomas and Priya Prakash Varrier delivered outstanding performances in the movie. Mathew, who takes on the role of the protagonist’s friend, injected humor into every scene and masterfully portrayed his character Rajesh. His charisma and quick wit are evident in each scene, truly making his performance a standout.

Speaking about Priya P. Varrier’s character, she takes on the role of Preethi, the potential bride of the main character, who encourages him to face his past. Despite having minimal screen time, she delivers a captivating performance as a mature, insightful woman who distinguishes between love and marriage.

Besides Rabiya Khatoon, Venkatesh Menon, Aadukalam Naren, Saranya Ponvannan, R. Sarathkumar, and others, all delivered outstanding performances in their assigned characters too.

Check out the film’s trailer below:

The Verdict:

This movie, titled “Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam,” isn’t your typical love story between a man and a woman, but it’s told in a way that resonates with Generation Z. It can be seen as an innovative endeavor by Dhanush, while still sticking to the classic narrative formulas that have been around for centuries.

In essence, NEEK may not appeal to everyone’s taste. However, if you’re seeking an entertaining theatrically unique experience or a fresh take on a typical romantic comedy, then NEEK is undeniably the ideal movie choice for you.

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2025-02-22 12:37