The multifaceted Vijay Antony, a name synonymous with both subtle restraint and bombastic on-screen antics in the Kollywood industry, continues to carve his unique niche with his latest rom-com ‘Romeo’. Known for his distinctive performances in intense dramas such as Naan and Salim, and for his more outlandish roles in the likes of Thimiru Pudichavan and Kodiyil Oruvan, as well as his understated acting in Pichaikkaran, Antony’s versatility consistently leads to enjoyable cinema. However, it’s with ‘Romeo’ that we see Vijay Antony at his most uninhibited, infusing an otherwise by-the-numbers tale with much-needed life and elevating it beyond its predictable plot.
In ‘Romeo’, Antony assumes the role of Arivu, a solitary thirty-five-year-old residing in Malaysia, untouched by romance, until a visit back to his roots in India propels him into a whirlwind of unreciprocated love. Arivu’s world is upended when he lays eyes on Leela, portrayed by Mirnalini Ravi, deciding instantly that she is the one for him. Leela, an aspiring actor, perceives her arranged marriage to Arivu as nothing but an obstacle on her path to fame. Echoing the celebrated Mouna Ragam’s Revathi, Leela is unyielding in her quest for a divorce, seeing that Arivu’s love-soaked pursuits only stand in the way of her dreams. However, Arivu’s affection runs deep, and he hatches a rather quixotic plan to turn his unilateral romance into a mutual enchantment.
Debut director Vinayak Vaithianathan refreshingly situates the age-old narrative of a man wooing his beloved amid a contemporary backdrop— a move that, surprisingly, sparks a few compelling cinematic moments. The protagonists are bestowed with traits that encapsulate the film’s essence: Arivu is the epitome of the doting lover—a man who is as comfortable cooking breakfast for Leela’s uninvited friends as he is confronting an unscrupulous producer to defend her. His relentless and sometimes-overwhelming displays of affection are glossed over by the sheer charm and warmth he exudes. Antony, with his boyish smile, accessorized by glasses and vividly colored shirts, adeptly brings to life Arivu’s affable character. Leela, juxtaposed against Arivu’s tenderness, is primarily characterized by her annoyance and rejection of her husband’s advances— a portrayal that risks rendering her character flat, but Mirnalini Ravi manages to draw out a degree of empathy for Leela’s plight.
A visually appealing still from ‘Romeo’ regales us with hints of charm this film has to offer, displaying the protagonist couple in a moment of quaint interaction. The first half of the film cements Leela’s contempt for Arivu’s zealous attempts at saving their marriage, punctuated by comedic elements facilitated by the lead characters, Arivu’s friends, Arivu’s endearing uncle (played by VTV Ganesh), and an unlikely matchmaker portrayed humorously by Yogi Babu. These moments of levity keep the film buoyant, even though their memory is as fleeting as the theater lights dimming at the end. It’s the absence of such comical relief that one pines for as the movie transitions into the second half, introducing subplots that detach it from its former relatability and light-heartedness.
Craftsmanship in filmmaking flares intermittently, like a poignant cut from Leela’s sigh of exasperation to the somber sound of a conch shell at a funeral. Touches of meta-humor are present as Antony’s character Arivu is mocked for both starring and producing his film—a self-referential nod that displays Antony’s capacity for self-deprecation. However, this cleverness wanes as the movie approaches its conclusion, ushering in an unnecessary antagonist and an outmoded fight sequence—elements that feel more obligatory than organic, and a backstory aimed at explaining Arivu’s fear of fire, further burdening the narrative towards its foreseeable end.
Despite these missteps, ‘Romeo’ stands as a worthwhile separation from Vijay Antony’s recent less successful ventures, offering its fair share of poignant moments that resonate on an emotional level. The movie is a pleasant journey that, despite traveling a well-trodden path of romantic clichés, still manages to deliver its own distinctive charm. ‘Romeo’ is presently captivating audiences in theaters, a testament to the incessant appeal of Tamil and Indian cinema at large.
