BOTTOM LINE
Overcooked Art
OUR RATING
2.25/5
CENSOR
‘A’ Certified, 3 hrs 02 mins
What Is the Film Manu About?
There is a gang of robbers who kill an old man for a diamond. They all find themselves in mysterious circumstances one after other, and it involves Manu and Neela. What is there involvement and how their plot ends, is what the film is all about?
How Is Raja Goutham’s Performance?
Raja Gautham, playing the lead nails the look perfectly. He has an earnest and intense role, and he suits it aptly. The problem is that he has been some really cringe-worthy lines at times. Raja Gautham does his best to make it work, but they can’t avoid being cheesy. In the last half an hour there are few moments to shine as a performer, and he was okay there.
Direction by Phanindra Narsetti?
Phanindra Narsetty has written and directed the movie. First of all, we have to congratulate him for attempting something different trying to break the routine mould and going all out without much commercial compromise.
Of course, when we look at the overall picture, it would appear as a simple revenge flick with a twist. Part of it also a routinely done subject in Telugu cinema. What makes Manu different is the way it has been executed. There is an overindulgence on the part of the director, and that is what makes it unique.
It is undoubtedly a big coincidence that C/O Kancherapalem too made it to cinemas on the same day. We had said in it how the director kept things real and let the moments linger and yet never went indulgent way. With Manu what makes it stand out is also its biggest problem.
At three hours length, a large part of the movie feels unnecessary. Another aspect that bothers is the needless complication and its explanation. At one point in the first half, an hour of the second half one gets a feeling if we are watching a rough cut with a rough draft. The point being the presentation could have been improved further to make it more engaging keeping the core point intact. It is a travesty to sit through the length at the current runtime. The sad part is even at that runtime; there is a feeling of something incomplete and missing.
Manu is without any doubt one of the better attempts among the small films in what it wants to say and also be unique. But, merely an effort is not enough.
Chandini Chowdary and Others?
Chandini Chowdhary has got her career best role. It has a presence throughout, and there are multiple moments to showcase her talent. It also in a way shows that this might be the best she can do. John Kottoly does his part with conviction. It is better somewhat compared to what others have got. He gets the creepiness spot-on. The rest of the cast has small bits and pieces roles. They are okay.
Music and Other Departments?
Apart from direction, the movie is technically solid for the low budget space. The cinematography gives a unique feel. But, it is the sound production and design that stand out. They are outstanding. The writing is overdone and useful in parts.
Highlights?
Basic Concept
Climax
A couple Of Twists
Drawbacks?
Length
Pace
Screenplay
Alternative Take
Strong writing with a different and more involving motive for the ‘incidents’ within the house to take place.
Did I Enjoy It?
In few parts
Will You Recommend It?
Only to those who would die to watch something different.
Manu Review by Siddartha Toleti
Final Report:
Manu is a different attempt comes with an excellent cinematography and BGM but the huge drag and the slowness throughout the three-hour long film tests patience. Visit back for our frank and detailed Manu review soon.
– Finally, Neela’s revenge story comes to an end with the help of Manu.
– Nothing much happening interms of the story, the love track is getting way dramatic and slower.
– Manu second half started with Gautham – Chandini’s poetic love track.
– After a small twist, it’s time for the Interval.
– Slowly things are getting predictable.
– After a couple of murders, things are getting clear on what is actually happening and why.
– Gautham meets an old man who works for a diamond smuggler. The old man gets killed by the same gang he worked with. Now, Gautham follows the gang leader who rented Chandini’s apartment. Gautham does all sorts of mysterious things in the same apartment.
– Manu show started. Chandini (Neela) and Gautham’s (Manu) first meeting ends with a small misunderstanding. Gautham seems to be having a financial issue.
Preview: Manu
Raja Gautham (Brahmanandam’s son) and Chandini Chowdary are new names to the Telugu audiences and there is no conventional producer as the movie is crowd funded. But, ‘Manu‘ has been in the news because of the impressive trailer that gave the vibes of a path-breaking film with a very long run-time, i.e., 3 hours.
Makers are confident as they got a positive response from the online space with expectations that this one is truly going to be a different movie. Hence, they promoted it as another path-breaking movie and even impressed us to believe so. Can the movie impress as the trailer did?
Though the trailer of the movie was appreciated, the fear of an art movie’s slowness is haunting implicitly. Nevertheless, a gripping content may be in store for the audiences who are waiting for this kind of movies.
There is ‘C/o Kancharapalem‘ which is also releasing this week and said to be a strong contender of ‘Manu’ for being publicised as a different movie and word of mouth spreading from the celebrities who watched the premiere show. So, it’s either ‘Manu’ or ‘C/o Kancharapalem’ this week.
Let’s wait for the mirchi9 genuine ‘Manu’ Review coming shortly. Stay tuned, folks!
