'True Lover' is the Telugu-dubbed version of the Tamil movie 'Lover'. Starring Manikandan and 'MAD' fame Sri Gouri Priya in lead roles, the Telugu version has been brought out by 'Baby' producer SKN and Maruthi. The relationship drama hit the screens today (February 10).
Plot:
Arun (portrayed by Manikandan) and Divya (played by Sri Gouri Priya) found love during their college days. Six years have passed since then. While Divya thrives in a stable software job, enjoying a handsome income, Arun, hailing from a semi-dysfunctional family and a less privileged economic background compared to Divya, finds himself adrift. His aspirations to establish a café are thwarted. As frustration mounts, Arun's behavior takes a possessive and childish turn towards Divya. Where will this path lead them? Can Divya and Arun mend their relationship?
Performances and Technical Departments:
Manikandan rises above the Tamil hero stereotypes. He looks somewhat like Sundeep Kishan and shows this streak of minimalism. Never the one to opt for melodrama, he keeps it understated. Sri Gouri Priya has a restrained body language throughout. Her demeanour in the workplace setting is so realistic.
Kanna Ravi never makes it appear like he is trying to impress his female colleagues. His character has been designed with an understanding of how confident men behave in the workplace. Harini Sundararajan, as Divya's colleague/friend, is good. Harish Nagalakshmi Kumar is seen as a friend of Divya. Geetha Kailasam, as Arun's mother, evokes sympathy without ever overdoing it.
Sean Ronaldon's music is commendable in how it avoids the typical Kollywood soundscape. Cinematographer Shreyaas Krishna's work is functional. Editor Barath Vikraman delivers a near-perfect output.
Analysis:
When the film's trailer was released, comparisons with 'Baby' were inevitable. The lover boys' insecurities in both films looked similar. And the lover girls' transgressions in both films seemed to be in a similar space. But that's not the case, it turns out. Thematically and spiritually, creatively and aesthetically, 'True Lover' and 'Baby' are different.
In the case of 'Baby', the crux was about teen confusions. The audience found it hard to take sides: Vaishnavi was wrong in getting enticed by Viraj's temptations. But Anand was equally wrong in abusing her in a vulnerable moment. Vaishnavi was right when she realized that Anand was leagues better than Viraj. It was a heavy movie that had the audience getting invested in the two characters, falling out with them, falling in love with them again, sympathizing with them in turns and eventually making peace with Anand's decision to live with Vaishnavi's memories.
In the case of 'True Lover', things are pretty straightforward and simple. The climax of 'True Lover' is feel-good as against the heavy-duty one in 'Baby'. Arun is a Tamil film hero stereotype whose social awkwardness, directionlessness and possessiveness are normalized in the Gokarna vacation episode. His behaviour is not only played for laughs but we are also supposed to side with him because he is shameless enough to smoke without a concern for the one decent, socially suave, self-made man around.
This is not to say that 'True Lover' is superficial. While its conflicts are pretty basic, director Prabhuram Vyas lets the actors have detailed conversations and give the film a serious relationship drama treatment. Some of the dialogues are solidly written. The entire first half stays true to the nature of the stories and integrity of the setting. There is not a dull moment in the first hour.
Vox Verdict:
'True Lover' is worth a watch. It is way different from 'Baby'. The biggest positive is that it evolves into a genuine relationship drama with conversations playing a vital role.
Rating: 2.75/5
