One has to appreciate the marketing and PR teams that went behind turning this film into a much-anticipated release. Unfortunately, the content of the film lets everybody down.
Starting off with a creative in-film statutory warning about alcohol consumption, the hero starts narrating his love story - his hundred days of love, of which you hardly see four or five, unless he's referring to the unmentioned days of engagement and marriage and the days between and around them. In that case, one wonders what happens on the hundred and first day? A divorce, maybe? And with the way the narration takes turns - perhaps, yes. The narration is colorful with artsy setups and melodious background score, that takes you on a pleasant trip to the lives of BKN (Dulquer) and Ummar (Sekhar), two carefree bachelors who share a plush pad and lead luxurious lives. BKN is a journalistic writer and hero of the story, while Ummar, a fanatic video-gamer, is his close and only friend. It is when BKN meets a girl (Nitya) one day and projects her to be the one (girl of his dreams) that he and Ummar both set out in search of her so that BKN can open his heart. And this adventure takes place sort of like a video game with levels and all.
One takes delight in looking at the events unfolding through charming frames and textual graphics, but he/she fails to realize that the story isn't moving forward at all. And this is substantiated by an off-putting song (a terrible fusion of Malayalam and English rock), one which makes no sense so early into the film, and marks the turn of the film into a stultifying track. Its semblance jumps the gun with the story that is still gathering its bits and pieces together.
Suggestive claptrap from the protagonist mars the narration with humdrum. There are many unrealistic instances that the writers have added in the name of creativity and new-wave, but they hardly influence. Technically speaking, the film as a game moves up higher levels without completing the lower ones. It is basically a game that is not as interesting as one playing an actual video game. Further, shaky camera work and cloudy shots makes one dizzy and thus, is unable to comprehend the story and its path even when the film reaches halfway. It solely depends on a thin string of suspense, with heavy use of old, classic Malayalam film references and handful of sporadic humor.
The film's sub-stories have more traction than the overall story, and as a result, give a healthy torque to the narration, but extends the running time to an eternity. Sadly, it is the primary story that stands out like a sore thumb, which is so full of clichés that the characters themselves agree with it. The screenplay makes use of at least two unwanted characters that are either used for creating humor or as catalysts, furthermore adding to the overall gimmickry. Poor direction has drastic effects if one pays attention to the details.
I am highly disappointed with Dulquer for he puts up a rather clumsy and inferior show to what he's worth and able. His air is uncool that is trying hard to be cool. Sekhar, on the other hand, plays a good sidekick. Lunar eclipse Nithya Menen turns from a petite girl who does what she did in Usthad Hotel (2012) to finally being the heroine of the story. And when the story reaches its gist, its about an original loser (in the character's own words) who requests his lady love to adopt radical decisions. The film terribly fails the moment the lady love accepts this request.
And then we gape at the skeletons tumbling out of the cupboard. A love story written using hackneyed elements - an ordinary tale that drags a lot with undesired drama to come to a predictable point of nothingness. The title "100 Days of Love" is a travesty to the genre of romance. With an unrealistic ending, veteran director Kamal's son has successfully fooled us with this gimmick, the first biggest disappointment this year.
BOTTOM LINE: For a story so indifferent and predictable and boring, only the actors manage to entertain. Lovebirds expecting to dive into a pool of romance may feel the vibe, but to sit through the routine and terribly long film will be another thing. Avoidable!
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
Starting off with a creative in-film statutory warning about alcohol consumption, the hero starts narrating his love story - his hundred days of love, of which you hardly see four or five, unless he's referring to the unmentioned days of engagement and marriage and the days between and around them. In that case, one wonders what happens on the hundred and first day? A divorce, maybe? And with the way the narration takes turns - perhaps, yes. The narration is colorful with artsy setups and melodious background score, that takes you on a pleasant trip to the lives of BKN (Dulquer) and Ummar (Sekhar), two carefree bachelors who share a plush pad and lead luxurious lives. BKN is a journalistic writer and hero of the story, while Ummar, a fanatic video-gamer, is his close and only friend. It is when BKN meets a girl (Nitya) one day and projects her to be the one (girl of his dreams) that he and Ummar both set out in search of her so that BKN can open his heart. And this adventure takes place sort of like a video game with levels and all.
One takes delight in looking at the events unfolding through charming frames and textual graphics, but he/she fails to realize that the story isn't moving forward at all. And this is substantiated by an off-putting song (a terrible fusion of Malayalam and English rock), one which makes no sense so early into the film, and marks the turn of the film into a stultifying track. Its semblance jumps the gun with the story that is still gathering its bits and pieces together.
Suggestive claptrap from the protagonist mars the narration with humdrum. There are many unrealistic instances that the writers have added in the name of creativity and new-wave, but they hardly influence. Technically speaking, the film as a game moves up higher levels without completing the lower ones. It is basically a game that is not as interesting as one playing an actual video game. Further, shaky camera work and cloudy shots makes one dizzy and thus, is unable to comprehend the story and its path even when the film reaches halfway. It solely depends on a thin string of suspense, with heavy use of old, classic Malayalam film references and handful of sporadic humor.
The film's sub-stories have more traction than the overall story, and as a result, give a healthy torque to the narration, but extends the running time to an eternity. Sadly, it is the primary story that stands out like a sore thumb, which is so full of clichés that the characters themselves agree with it. The screenplay makes use of at least two unwanted characters that are either used for creating humor or as catalysts, furthermore adding to the overall gimmickry. Poor direction has drastic effects if one pays attention to the details.
I am highly disappointed with Dulquer for he puts up a rather clumsy and inferior show to what he's worth and able. His air is uncool that is trying hard to be cool. Sekhar, on the other hand, plays a good sidekick. Lunar eclipse Nithya Menen turns from a petite girl who does what she did in Usthad Hotel (2012) to finally being the heroine of the story. And when the story reaches its gist, its about an original loser (in the character's own words) who requests his lady love to adopt radical decisions. The film terribly fails the moment the lady love accepts this request.
And then we gape at the skeletons tumbling out of the cupboard. A love story written using hackneyed elements - an ordinary tale that drags a lot with undesired drama to come to a predictable point of nothingness. The title "100 Days of Love" is a travesty to the genre of romance. With an unrealistic ending, veteran director Kamal's son has successfully fooled us with this gimmick, the first biggest disappointment this year.
BOTTOM LINE: For a story so indifferent and predictable and boring, only the actors manage to entertain. Lovebirds expecting to dive into a pool of romance may feel the vibe, but to sit through the routine and terribly long film will be another thing. Avoidable!
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES