Incredibly bold of Prabhuram Vyas to start his filmmaking career with a movie that doesn’t promise a fairy-tale ending for a couple. In a time when we’re bombarded with loads of violent flicks every week, Vyas stands out with “Lover,” securing its spot on all the year end lists of best movies in 2024.
Vyas expertly intertwines the messy mix of identity and relationship issues for Arun and Divya as they fall out of love. The movie kicks off with Divya being hesitant to share about how she fell for Arun, following a bunch of charming college romance scenes. The movie then follows this pattern of the duo feeling remorseful about their relationship while away from each other but not so much while together. Divya’s realization and Arun’s resentment build up to a gripping interval where both find out they are lying to each other making us root for a breakup. The second half starts with a breakup scene intensifying the emotional rollercoaster, with phenomenal performances by Manikandan and Sri Gouri Priya.
The arcs of both Arun and Divya, inside and outside the relationship, are brilliantly penned. Vyas showcases how a toxic relationship seeps into everyday life, affecting personal hygiene and influencing major decisions. Insights into Arun’s family drama and Divya’s work culture add depth without justifying their actions. Sri Gouri Priya nails every breakup stage, especially when explaining things to Arun’s mom. And let’s not forget Manikandan – dealing with home drama, career chaos, personal struggles, and post-breakup blues. I haven’t seen such a range of acting on screen in a really long time!
Is this Sean Roldan’s best work till date? I definitely think so. Whether it’s “Usura Uruvi” with Arun trying to make sense of his breakup, “Thaen Sudare” catching the love-hate tango inside Arun and Divya, the adorable “Apple Crumble” as Arun tries to win back Divya after a fight, or my personal favourite, “Velagatha” when Arun tags along with Divya’s friends post-breakup, holding onto that glimmer of hope.
Vyas keeps it real in every aspect of the film. Even in the middle of a heated argument, Divya gets hyped about a pretty moon. Friends goofing off in the background during chaos, Arun’s “Naan saava lam pola” after a super intense scene, and when Arun finally decides to embrace the breakup, his chill tea session with Madan feels like something straight out of real life.
Even after spending the whole movie wanting to dump Arun, the little clingy moment Divya has when they part ways is incredible. In this movie landscape filled with bloodshed and violence, Vyas offers a refreshing take. Here’s hoping more movies like “Lover” steer clear of the brutality porn trend and focus on genuine storytelling.
