96 Movie Review: No cinematic drama but purely heartwarming!

Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha have come together for this wonderful, heartwarming romantic tale that has turned out to be a pleasant surprise on screen.

This is a kind of movie that you can go and enjoy at a leisurely pace. The movie moves on with its own pace that’s so perfect to tie you up all along with the emotions.

It is so amazing how you end up rooting for the lead characters so much.

96 is a simple love story – no strings attached. But it is not the boring, cinematic love story you are used to seeing in Tamil cinema.

The romance, the songs, the emotions are all so realistic without any cinematic flavour to it.

The love seems too unrealistic – in the sense that it is so pure and unconditional – in the current scenario. Still you end up sinking in, travel through and experience the love all along.

Director Prem Kumar has handled a delicate story with much care and we just love the detailing of the emotions.

Both Trisha and Vijay Sethupathy compete with each other in delivering awesome emotions. We can say that it is one of their career best actings for both the actors.

Trisha appears in a very simple and casual look with subtle make-up – that’s what is required for the role and she easily slips into that look.

Vijay Sethupathy on the other hand appears in his own casual way which perfectly fits him.

Prem has done a great job in choosing the right artists for the lead roles.

In a similar manner, Adithya Bhaskar and Gouri Kishan wonderfully portray the teenage characters of Ram and Janu.

The 80’s and 90’s kids will definitely have nostalgic goosebumps upon watching the flashback scenes that involve the school.

The detailing is so perfect that you can enjoy and travel along with the teenage Ram and Janu.

There are various subtle, yet powerfully punching scenes that are concerned with the emotional exchange between the lead characters.

Trisha emotes a lot with her eyes and smile. So does Vijay Sethupathy. Janu’s characterization portrays her as somewhat bolder and outspoken compared to Ram who is shy.

Even though he has feelings for Janu since school days, he is hesitant to talk directly about it to her. For instance, Janu sings well and Ram wants her to sing the Yamunai Aatriley song!

But he never asks that to Janu directly. And Janu is adamant not to sing that song for Ram because he hasn’t asked her directly.

Ram and Janu know they love each other but they fail to nurture the relationship during school days and things don’t go well. So they get separated.

Ram is now a travel photographer. Janu is married and well settled. They get to meet after about 22 years and what follows (in terms of emotional exchange) forms the crux of the story.

When you expect something to happen with the relationship, you won’t see that on screen. You will be pleasantly surprised. There is no cinematic compromise, no melodrama and nothing you would expect.

Even though this is a love story you won’t see anything going beyond limits. Everything stays within the limit and it keeps you rooting for them.

You end up feeling for Ram and Janu and secretly wish for them to be together!

Even though the ending is painful, it is positively painful and you get to accept that it is the reality. Moving on together with them.

And, even though the movie is about a love story where the couple didn’t get to lead a life together, I was so much surprised about the positivity and happiness that laces every frame of the film.

You don’t end up feeling sad, down or negative in any way!

The movie might feel a little lagging in the second half. Especially with the slo-mo shots but you can conveniently neglect that fact.

You will enjoy 96 and will come out with a fresh, warm and nostalgic mindset after watching the movie.

Editing by Govindraj is on point though we feel the movie could have been cut short by 15 minutes or so.

Govind Menon has composed heartwarming tunes for 96 that perfectly matches the mood of the movie.

Go watch 96 for a pleasant surprise!