‘Bromance’ movie review: A fun-filled ride despite its thin plotline and some failed gags

‘Bromance’ movie review: Arun D Jose’s ‘Bromance’ starring Mathew Thomas, Mahima Nambiar, Arjun Ashokan, Sangeeth Prathap, Kalabhavan Shajohn and Shyam Mohan, thrives on fine performances from its lead cast despite its weak plot

Pop cultural references in a film often give a hint of the particular demographic the makers are aiming the film at. In Arun D.Jose’s Bromance, the references that fly thick and fast, almost as an easy stand-in for thoughtful dialogue writing, are from recent films. Just like his first two films, Jo & Jo and 18+, Arun attempts to create a movie targeted at the youth from a super thin storyline.

But, unlike his previous outings, he goes for a much more fast-paced narrative that partly succeeds in covering up for the weaknesses in the plotting. There is the impeccable comic timing of Sangeeth Prathap, who continues in his Premalu vein to pep up even dull scenes. Written by Thomas P. Sebastian and Raveesh Nath, Bromance takes off with Binto (Mathew Thomas), setting out to find his elder brother Shinto (Shyam Mohan), who had gone missing.

The equation between the brothers makes the revelations during the search particularly entertaining, for Binto has forever been envious of his big brother, who commands a perfect image at home and in the neighbourhood and with whom he was often unfairly compared. Accompanying Binto in the search is a team of people who are in it for various aims, from his brother’s friend Shabeer (Arjun Ashokan) to his ex-girlfriend Aishwarya (Mahima Nambiar), Courier Babu (Kalabhavan Shajon), a local goon and moneylender and Hariharasudhan (Sangeeth Prathap), a hacker who leads their way.

The writers have tightly packed the screenplay with events and side stories that there is not much of a pause for the audience to think of the sheer point of it all. This is probably the one factor that makes the film somewhat engaging. Also brought into the picture is a boisterous Coorgi family, led by a character who appears to be a spoof of ‘Arjun Reddy’. Although the negative portrayal of the Coorgis strikes a sour note, the rivalry between the two groups and the tense moments that arise out of them go a long way in the film ending on a high.

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The latter half of the film stands out for how the writers build the pace, with a character’s drug-fuelled frenzy amid the tense standoff adding to the effect. Almost all the actors, including Mahima, get equal play in the narrative. Although targeted at youth, the film also takes a dig at viral video creators who earn hits by celebrating others’ misery. This is weaved cleverly into the plot without making it seem like preaching, but the revenge for the act leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Despite its thin plot line and some failed gags, Bromance turns out to be a fast-paced, fun-filled ride, partly on the strength of the actors.