ARM is Malayalam cinema’s biggest release in recent times. Featuring Tovino Thomas and Harish Uthaman in lead roles, the film is also having a decent Telugu release. Read to know if the film lives up to all the hype or not.
Story: ARM is about Ajay (Tovino Thomas), an electrician from Kerala, who is deeply in love with Laxmi (Krithi Shetty). However, his life is tainted by the disgrace of his grandfather, Maniyan (Tovino Thomas), who once stole the precious lamp from the local temple. Things take a sinister twist when Sudhev (Harish Uttaman), a manipulative local, forces Ajay into hunting for the hidden treasure. Along the way, Ajay uncovers startling truths about the lamp, his family. Will Ajay discover the treasure? What drives Maniyan’s obsession with the lamp? And will Ajay and Laxmi’s love survive? Watch the film to know more.
Performances: Tovino Thomas shines in three distinct roles, showcasing his exceptional acting talent. His portrayal of Maniyan stands out, especially for the effort he put into mastering the art for the role, which is evident in the fight scenes. As Ajayan, he impresses as a brave yet innocent young man. Krithi Shetty plays the typical heroine, but her portrayal of a Kerala girl suits her well, and this film has opened up more opportunities for her in Malayalam cinema. Rohini delivers yet another memorable performance as the mother, while Aishwarya Rajesh, though in a smaller role, leaves a lasting impression.
Technical Aspects: Jomon T. John’s cinematography is a strong asset to the film. He skillfully captures three different timelines in a single setting, enhancing the visual storytelling. The quality of the output makes it hard to believe that the film was made on a budget of under 10 crores, as mentioned by the lead actor, Tovino Thomas. The production feels grand and uncompromised in every aspect. The editing could have been a lot better in the second half. The art work and locations chosen are superb. The costumes and the setwork is impressive.
Analysis: ARM is an ambitious project on paper but it does not live up to all the hype created. There are a few major issues in the film. Krithi Shetty’s role in the film feels underdeveloped. Her scenes often come across as mere fillers, failing to advance the plot or add meaningful depth to the story. This lack of development reduces the impact of her character within the overall narrative. There was so much scope for drama to be elevated but the director chose different scenes to engage the audience.
Furthermore, the director missed an opportunity to enhance the film by delving deeper into Muniyan’s vision for the treasure. A more thorough exploration of this aspect could have introduced intriguing elements and increased the film’s overall engagement and complexity. The Telugu dubbing could have been a lot better to create more of an impact.
Similarly, the sequence involving the Kalari fight and the discovery of the lamp lacked proper justification. Despite the visually impressive depiction, there were notable directorial oversights. Attention to these details could have elevated the film to the next level. While ARM offers a unique experience with its original story, it also reflects some aspects of stories that we have already seen in the past.
Verdict: Overall, ARM has the scale, vision, and story on paper. But the output is fulfilled only to an extent. But still, the film has decent visuals, drama, and solid performance by Tovino Thomas for the audience to give it a shot.
Bottom Line: Passable concept based drama
Rating: 2.5/5
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