Review: ARM - Aspiring but Miserable

 

Movie: ARM
Rating: 2/5

Cast: Tovino Thomas, Basil Joseph, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Laxmi, Rohini Molleti, and Others

Director: Jithin Laal

Produced By: Listin Stephen and Zachariah Thomas

Release Date: September 12, 2024

Story:

Ajay (Tovino Thomas), an electrician from Chiyothikavu, Kerala, falls in love with Laxmi (Krithi Shetty) and keeps their relationship secret because of their class difference. Nevertheless, his existence is marred by the notorious legacy of his grandfather, Maniyan (Tovino Thomas), who once robbed the esteemed Sreeboodhi Lamp from the village temple. Things start to trouble Ajay when Sudhev (Harish Uttaman), a devious local figure, coerces Ajay into seeking a hidden treasure that his grandfather stole. Ajay ventures into this perilous journey and uncovers startling revelations regarding the lamp, his lineage, and Sudhev's ulterior motives. What drives Maniyan's intense desire for the lamp? Who exactly is Sudhev? Will Ajay succeed in his quest for the treasure? And can Ajay and Laxmi's romance end on a positive note? The remaining story answers these questions.

Performances:

Tovino Thomas had ample scope to perform and gave a commendable performance, showing the required variations between the characters. His performance as Maniyan was especially good. Basil Joseph made his presence felt and provided some laughs, while Harish Utthaman, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, Surabhi Laxmi, and Rohini Molleti were apt. 

What worked for the film:

The film's main plot is exciting, and a few action episodes in the second half and some portions of the Maniyan character's track worked in favor of the film. Tovino Thomas gave an honest performance, and the visuals were stunning at a few crucial moments of the film.

What did not work for the film:

Though the film had a good plot, the screenplay was not compelling except for a few parts. The narration was consistently dull and completely missed the required impact or thrills. So many characters could have produced the intrigue, but the director, Jithin Laal, made all the characters uninteresting, including the main lead. Because of this, neither the required emotion was built in the film nor the heist parts became productive.

ARM Review and Verdict:

Despite its interesting premise, the film fails to deliver an engaging experience. The proceedings never provide the required impact, except for a few moments in the second half. Weak characters, lifeless emotions, and snail-paced narration make it disappointing.