ARM (Ajayante Randam Moshanam) is set in Northern Kerala across the years 1900, 1950, and 1990, this epic tale follows three generations of heroes Maniyan, Kunjikelu, and Ajayan as they strive to protect the land's most vital treasure.
Story
Ajay (Tovino Thomas) is a electrician in a government office in a village in Kerala but the villagers suspect him for any theft as his grandfather Maniyan (Tovino Thomas) stole the precious and the most powerful lamp from the temple. However he is adored and loved by beautiful girl Lekshmi (Krithi Shetty) daughter of Chattutti Nambiar (Nistar Sait), who is against their relationship.
In the midst of all this, Sudev (Harish Utthaman) descendant of the Royal Clan enters in search of the powerful lamp. Where this leads to, and what is the connection to the great warrior Kunjikelu (Tovino Thomas) and what roles Ajay's mother Sarojam (Rohini), Maniyan wife Manikyam (Surabhi Lakshmi), SI Saifuddeen (Aju Verghese), Suresh (Basil Joseph) and what is the connection to great warrior Kujikelu's lover Jyothi (Aishwarya Rajesh), Edakkal King Mana Varma (Madhupal) form the rest of the narration.
Analysis
Tovino Thomas came up with a terrific performance in three roles in his milestone 50th film. In the role of legendary warrior he sported a royal look to thrill his fans. As the robber Maniyan,he came up with powerful and impactful performance showing various emotions like anger, pain and love accordingly. In the role of Ajay, he showed the romantic shades, innocence, love for his mother and also valor when required. He stole the hearts of all with his screen presence.
Surabhi Lakshmi made a strong impact in the role of Maniyan's lover though she got limited screen presence. Krithi Shetty did not get much scope to show her acting talent and so is the case with Aishwarya Rajesh. Rohini made an impact with her expressions as the mother. Nistar Sait is good as the influential person and Harish Utthaman is ok in his role. Others like Kabir Duhan Singh played according to their roles.
Director Jithiin Laal on his debut came up with an interesting and exciting premise and plot. The three timelines and the way he started captures the imagination of all. However after few minutes the narration assumes routine shades thus bringing down the intensity levels. The screenplay is good but could have beenbetter. He followed the same tempo throughout the film and had he turned the film racy, result would have been even better.
Director Jithin Laal's debut film features an intriguing premise, skillfully intertwining three distinct timelines and drawing the audience in with an engaging start. However, the pacing becomes uneven, causing the film to lose momentum and impact. The screenplay, while competent, could have benefited from a more focused narrative and a faster pace, particularly in the second half.
Despite its flaws, "ARM" features strong technical elements. Dhinu Ninan Thomas's background score breathes life into the narrative, while Joman T Johan's cinematography delivers visually captivating moments. The VFX and CGI are impressive, enhancing the overall visual experience. However, Shameer Muhammed's editing lacks the crispness needed to maintain the film's momentum, with noticeable lags that disrupt the narrative flow.
Verdict
Director Jithin Laal's debut feature, "ARM," showcases Tovino Thomas in a thrilling and unexpected light, showcasing his versatility as an actor. However, the film's potential is ultimately hampered by a predictable narrative and slow pacing.
While Thomas steals the show with his captivating performances in three distinct roles, the film's overall impact is lessened by a somewhat formulaic approach and a lack of urgency in the storytelling.
The film could have benefited greatly from a more nuanced script, a faster-paced screenplay, and a greater sense of risk-taking in the storytelling. A more tightly focused narrative and a bolder approach to the material could have elevated "ARM" from a watchable film to a truly memorable one.
"ARM" is a mixed bag. It showcases Tovino Thomas's talent and features intriguing ideas. However, the film's overall impact is ultimately diminished by a lackluster script and a pacing that fails to capitalize on the inherent strengths of the story and its talented cast.
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