'96 (2018)

Spoilers ahead.

This movie, and especially the ending, made me feel so much heartache that I don't see myself ever recovering. There's a lot that can be said about this movie, but in the interests of coherence, I will focus on two things that hit me most: why I think this film is genius, and my admiration for the casting choices (stan Trisha and VJS if you ever want to stan anyone). 

So why do I think this movie is a genius? Because despite everything that you consciously know will happen, i.e. Jaanu eventually getting on that flight to get to her husband and daughter, the film still subconsciously sets you up to expect a "happy ending". And how does it do this? By utilising every trope loved by romantic drama lovers in the subtlest way possible. Two people grow up together, fall in love during adolescence, a crisis out of their control wrenches them apart, they never stop thinking of the other, the guy actually keeps a track of what the girl is upto, there is a completely avoidable misunderstanding, he gives up the moment he thinks she doesn't want him anymore but still protects her from evil, he even comes to her wedding that has been hastily arranged because her elder sister eloped but he leaves right before the main event, and the most tragic of all- she can sense his presence. It's the stuff our fantasies our made of: to love someone so truly madly deeply that nothing can ever diminish it. And I realised this after my friend pointed it out that the best part of it all is that they are barely touching, yet they are so intimate that it's tangible. You can't help but fall in love with their love- the ideal teenage romance, the one that was meant to be, and you can't help but root for them. Even if that adult part of you stops you from hoping for their happy ending, the hopeless romantic still wants something to work out and for things to fall into place. 

But things do fall into place- just not in the way we want. It's a "real" ending, but it's somehow sadder than usual because the story was so idealistically filmy. I don't think I'll ever be able to not cry when I think of the scene where Ram packs Jaanu's clothes with extra care in the end. Those few seconds felt like a harsh reality had descended on me, and I was once again forced to confront my own morality, my feelings about relationships, love and most importantly, being a responsible adult. It's a movie that stays with you, and it makes you look at things differently, while also being comfortable and relatable. 

Now coming to the stars of the show (and my heart)- Trisha and VJS. Their performances are so on point and honestly, I don't think this movie would have hit as hard had it not been for them. They have insane chemistry (read above: intimacy without touching) and right from their first interaction (oh my god, I just remembered how Jaanu sees young Ram instead of the present day one and how I sobbed in that scene) to the bit where she physically pushes him away, it's magic. Plus, both of them have such beautiful and expressive eyes, which adds to the whole atmosphere of "this is true love, everything else is a pale imitation". The supporting cast is amazing as well, and special shout-out to Aadithya Bhaskar and Gouri G. Kishan, who play the young versions of Ram and Jaanu. They actually felt like young versions of VJS and Trisha, and make the movie that much more of a special experience. Speaking of VJS, I will never get over how comfortable he is in being physically affectionate with his fellow males and it just adds so much joy to my life that I can't even construct proper sentences and whatever anymore because who cares?? VJS is wholesome king, the softest babie, and that's all that matters.

In conclusion. I am so glad this movie exists.