Bromance review: Sangeeth Prathap steals the show as Arjun Ashokan and Mathew Thomas-starrer oscillates between fun and chaos

2.5/5

Bromance plot

Bromance introduces us to brothers Shinto and Binto. When the ‘goody’ boy Shinto goes missing, it is up to the younger (Gen Z ) brother and a friend to go out in search of him as more characters join their choppy journey.

Bromance review

The premise of the younger sibling realising that the older brother does not exactly fit the goody persona after he goes missing does sound interesting. Throw in an ethical hacker, an ex-girlfriend and a local bully, Arun D Jose’s movie was set for a fun ride which was high on bromance and friendship. But is it?

The movie, which starts off with a local Gen-Z anthem, touches upon the young generation’s fixation on taking videos of everything and everyone (a point about consent is also raised). But as uncertainty prevails with a few laughs thrown our way, the movie suddenly takes an emotional turn as the Gen Z youth is served a cruel pay-off for his ‘fun’ reel. The scene involving a cop and the youth looks jarring in a movie that promised us a fun watch. The movie then shifts gear again as the motley group decides to head to Coorg to find the missing brother. Needless to say, more trouble and chaos await them in the Kodagu land.

But the makers seemed reluctant to go all out chaotic either, and so the end result is that we get a half-hearted film that swings between mindless fun and middling comedy. But to be fair to the makers, the movie does have its moments with some really good laughs.

Sangeeth Prathap, particularly as ethical hacker Hariharasudhan, is a hoot and has the best lines in the film. The actor, who impressed as Amal Davis from Naslen’s Premalu, is a delight to watch on screen and his dialogue delivery is top-notch. The scene about accessing an old woman’s wi-fi and the consequences, though short is fun.

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Raveesh Nath and Thomas P Sebastian, who penned the screenplay and dialogues along with the director Arun D Jose, give interesting additions, especially in the beginning as characters are introduced. The Malayali ‘tradition’ of naming siblings with similar-sounding names, and the difference between Kochi and Ernakulam are all nice touches. Bromance also gives us an ‘Arjun Reddy’ villain as the climax sets the stage for Kerala vs Karnataka. Some of it is funny but not enough to make you go ROFL.

Coming back to performances, Mathew Thomas as the indignant Gen Z dials up the anger a notch higher than what may be deemed necessary but holds on his own in the rest of the scenes. Arjun Ashokan has seldom much to do and gets to go chaotic only towards the end. Shyam Mohan, another actor known for Premlu, too is MIA, much like his character in Bromance. Mahima Nambiar’s Aishu too needed more shades or an interesting arc. The makers have also tried to use her Kasargod dialogue delivery, which has become a regular feature in her interviews. Kalabhavan Shajohn and Binu Pappu deliver what is expected of them, without breaking a sweat.

Govind Vasantha’s local Gen Z anthem and the wedding song have a nice ring to them.

But the movie, which is written and directed by Arun D Jose, primarily struggles to find a footing. The director is known for the popular Jo and Jo which also starred Mathew Thomas. But Bromance doesn't entirely live up to the expectations of a fun entertainer.

Bromance verdict

Arun D Jose’s Bromance, starring Mathew Thomas, Arjun Ashokan, and Mahima Nambiar, is a passable film. Sangeeth Prathap, with his one-liners, definitely lifts the film, and puts back the fun in the comedy caper. Watch out for the wisecracking hacker in the movie.

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