Reviews : Movie Reviews : 180

Film: 180
Cast: Siddharth, Priya Anand, Nithya Menen, Mouli, Tanikella Bharani, Geetha, M.S.Narayana, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, etc.
Story and Screenplay: Subha and Jayendra
Dialogues: Umarji Anuradha
Music: Sharreth
Lyrics : Vanamaali
Director Of Photography: Balasubramaniem
Editor : Kishore T E
Art Director : V.Selva Kumar
Producers: Sathyam Cinemas and Aghal Films
Directed by: Jayendra
CBFC Rating: U
Release date: June 25, 2011

What's it about!

A J (Siddharth), with a haunting past, comes from USA to India to stay for 6 months. He finds joy in mixing with all sorts of people, doing simple things. A photojournalist Vidya (Nitya Menen) falls for his helping nature and proposes her love. Refusing to accept her love, he decides to leave for US but he is forced to take Vidya with him. In a flashback it is revealed that he's working doctor in America and has a beautiful wife Renuka Narayan (Priya Anand). Why did A J came to India leaving his beautiful wife in the first place and what would happen to Vidya when she came along with AJ to USA?

Analysis

First thing that impresses while watching the film is its uber cool visuals and stunning cinematography. 180, shot on Red One camera, has never seen before locations, perfect digital grading and rich production values. Yes, the movie looks like a designer dress but the hitch is its slow narration and lack of emotional appeal in the second half.

Debutant director Jayendra, who comes from world of commercial ad filmmaking, has taken extreme care to make each shot look like a perfect photograph or painting but sadly, he seems to have forgotten to concentrate on bringing out the sympathy towards the agony of protagonist or empathy for his love.

Post the interval, the director has taken lengthy of time to conclude the movie as it has no further 'twist's or 'engrossing situations' to keep the audience to connect with the flow of the movie.

All the lead actors have come up with good performances (especially Siddharth and Priya Anand), but the film fails to connect with the audiences. Moreover, the movie has heavy resemblance to Krishnavamsi's Chakram. And also has shades of Korean romantic drama, Christmas In August.

One good part of the movie is that the director doesn't deviate from the main plot, nor does he include unnecessary comedy track or forced songs. But slow narration, predictable story (for at least Telugu audiences) overshadow these positive points.

Performances

Siddharth wears designer wear and looks even more handsome in the film. In the first half of the film, he shows off his 'charisma', and in the second half, the actor in comes to the front and like always he excels in the performance.

Priya Anand is the surprise find of the movie. Unlike in her previous films, she gets an author-backed role and she takes up the challenge and performs well. She also looks damn beautiful in the movie.

Nitya Menen is chirpy and makes her presence felt though she's very small role. In other roles, Mouli and Geeta get noticed. Tanikella and M S Narayana are okay.

The film completely belongs to cinematographer Balasubramaniem. He showed his mettle in Shiva Putrudu and Sainikudu and now in this film he uses Red One camera to the best. Also the slow motion shots in a song using Phantom Flex cameras are equally alluring to the eyes.

Only one song - Nee Mounam, by Sarreth is good to ears. His other songs like a sad song sung in Arabic style are sort of experiment but not that effective on screen. Editor should have been merciless.

As a director Jayendra gets marks or praise for his visuals but as a screenplay writer of the movie, he fails miserably.

Bottom-line!

180 is like designer dress that is chic and good for eyes. It has poetic touch but 180 fails on writing especially in screenplay department of the movie towards the climax. It drags on in the second half. And it also reminds of several other recent movies.

Reviewed by JP

Rating: 2.75/5

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