George David fumbles for words to convey the inexplicable feeling that is love to Mary in the hilarious intro of Alphonse Putheran’s "Premam." Like the butterfly doting honey from flowers Premam has an old school charm and like the bitterness it leaves in its wake, the movie also has moments of heartbreak. Alphonse’s second film since “Neram” is brilliantly acted and crafted. The film is marred a wee bit by familiarity, with George eventually getting answers to all his questions. Perhaps an open ending much like “Kabhi Haan, Kabhi Naa" may have been perfect. George do get the nod Kabhi kabhi, a No turns him nuts. Unfortunately or fortunately, our cinematic tropes make the romantic heroes go Kuch Kuch Hota Hain. The way Alphonse set the vibe as for the angst of the protagonist, its for love we want George to succeed in life. I have not faced rejection as he has, let alone fallen in love. Still, the eavesdropping narrative of Premam takes viewers to the world of Koya, Sambhu, and George. Their friendship lasts from a village to an an engineering college. The narrative of Premam see-saws action, songs, and comedy. Alphonse’s comedy is full of double meaning and he has got the right supporting cast for that in Premam. This is evident more in the funny portions in the film where George, Koya, and Sambhu follow the tamil teacher Malar played by Sai Pallavi.
The Physical Trainer played by Soubin and Professor Vimal by Vinay Fort also seeks her attention. In the movie’s highlight, George and his pals talk about Vimal Sir’s fondness for Malar teacher. Like George fumbled for words in the beginning of Premam, those scenes in the canteen zero in on the Java class turn “Mava." Actually, even the professor fumble for words at the sight of his lover. This professional education system needs a revamp, after all.
Much later in the film we realize, even as years change, all the conversations revolve around George and friendship. Arguably, time would make Premam an old wine in a new bottle. What is love without some meandering, after all. The film’s two and a half hours runtime meanders to convey this point. Songs like Malare ninne Kanathirunnal and the pairing of Nivin and Sai Pallavi make the meandering worth it.
Not much running around trees, except for the `Malare’ song. It has become the heartthrob of youngsters, since the release of Premam this summer. The campus in our engineering colleges would have added to the length of the meandering romance. Trees are there aplenty in our campuses, so too Girirajan Kozhis, but three hours would have been a challenge for the butterfly to dot honey from flower to flower.
Premam also has moments that screams of rebel, like the one where George and his friends clad on ochre veshtis, sporting full beards, and black shirt beat up Justin and co with the Kalippu song in the background. Fast forward, we see a similar scene where the same gang beat up Celine’s Ex Roney, played by Alphonse Putheran himself. The best moment of Premam is George’s bike ride to Kodaikanal to meet Malar and the revelations that follow. A film with an epic length with several bittersweet moments it surely is. If at all George succeed we keep thinking. And, Alphonse succeeds in keeping us hooked till the end credits.