A.R.M (2024) Movie: Tovino Thomas Conquered Three Generations in One Epic

A.R.M, short for Ajayante Randam Moshanam, marks a significant milestone in Malayalam cinema as an ambitious fantasy action-adventure film. Tovino Thomas delivers a remarkable performance in a triple role, directed by debutant Jithin Laal. The impressive cast includes Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Surabhi Lakshmi in pivotal roles.

Released theatrically on September 12, 2024, coinciding with the Onam festival, this film represents a bold venture into the fantasy genre. Produced by Listin Stephen and Zachariah Thomas under UGM Motion Pictures and Magic Frames, the 30 crore budget film showcases remarkable production values and ambitious storytelling.

Plot and Storyline

Set in Northern Kerala across three time periods – 1900, 1950, and 1990, the film follows three generations of heroes. Maniyan, Kunjikelu, and Ajayan try to protect the most important treasure of the land. The narrative structure brilliantly weaves together folklore, family legacy, and adventure.

The film’s plot centers around a mystical treasure that has been safeguarded by generations of protectors. Each timeline presents unique challenges and circumstances while maintaining themes of duty, honor, and sacrifice. The screenplay connects past with present, showing how ancestors’ actions influence their descendants.

The fantasy elements are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, creating a world that feels both mythical and grounded in reality. The treasure represents the cultural and spiritual heritage that binds the three generations together, making it more than just a plot device.

Cast Performance

Tovino Thomas delivers what is arguably his most challenging and rewarding performance to date. Playing three distinct characters across different time periods, he showcases remarkable versatility. His portrayal of Maniyan from the 1900 timeline is particularly noteworthy for its intensity and depth.

Each character has distinct personality traits, mannerisms, and motivations. As Maniyan, he brings raw, primal energy fitting the earlier period. His performance as Kunjikelu in the 1950s shows refined approach, while modern-day Ajayan represents contemporary man grappling with ancestral legacy.

Krithi Shetty provides strong support as the female lead, bringing charm and authenticity to her role. Her chemistry with Tovino works well across different timelines. Aishwarya Rajesh and Surabhi Lakshmi deliver commendable performances, with Surabhi particularly standing out for emotional depth.

Technical Excellence

The visual effects team has created a world that feels both fantastical and believable. Particular attention is paid to period details of each timeline. The 3D presentation adds extra immersion, making action sequences more engaging and fantasy elements more compelling.

Cinematography plays a crucial role in distinguishing between the three time periods. Each era has its own visual language and color palette. The 1900 segment features earthy, natural tones reflecting the primitive setting.

The background scores and music make the movie top-notch, elevating emotional and dramatic moments. Sound design creates an immersive experience with distinct audio signatures for each time period.

Direction and Storytelling

Director Jithin Laal has done a fantastic job in his debut film. What he has accomplished with just a 30 crore budget is impressive for many directors. His ability to manage such ambitious project while maintaining narrative coherence shows maturity.

The pacing is well-managed, with each timeline given adequate screen time. The director shows restraint in not over-explaining fantasy elements, allowing audiences to immerse themselves. Transitions between timelines are smooth and logical.

Jithin Laal’s vision extends beyond entertainment; he celebrates Kerala’s rich cultural heritage while presenting it in contemporary format. His handling of action sequences shows promise, and his ability to extract strong performances speaks to directorial skills.

What I Liked

The film’s greatest strength lies in its ambitious scope and successful execution of complex narrative structure. The three-timeline approach could have easily become confusing, but the film maintains clarity while building towards satisfying conclusion.

Tovino Thomas’s performance across all three roles is exceptional, showing his growth as an actor. The production values are impressive, particularly considering budget constraints. The film looks and feels like big-budget production.

With Minnal Murali and ARM, Tovino has proved himself perfect for superhero roles and larger than life characters. The film successfully positions him as viable action hero for Malayalam cinema.

Areas for Improvement

While ARM succeeds in many aspects, there are areas where it could have been stronger. Some viewers found the screenplay average on first viewing. Certain plot points could have been developed more thoroughly, and character motivations explored in greater depth.

The film’s length might feel excessive to some viewers, particularly during middle portions where pace occasionally slows down. Some transitions between timelines feel slightly abrupt, potentially disrupting narrative flow.

Some dialogue could have been more natural and less expository. The film sometimes relies too heavily on exposition rather than showing through action and visual storytelling.

Critical Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics with praise directed towards performances, direction, story, visual effects and music. Critics particularly appreciated the film’s ambitious scope and technical excellence displayed throughout.

On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 7.1/10, reflecting generally positive audience reception. Many viewers praised the film’s visual spectacle and Tovino Thomas’s committed performance across all three roles.

Many consider it a perfect pan-Indian movie from Malayalam with perfect blending of folklores. The film’s appeal extends beyond Kerala’s borders, suggesting successful achievement of broader market appeal.

Public reviews highlighted the film’s entertainment value and success in creating unique cinematic experience. Viewers appreciated respectful treatment of Kerala’s cultural heritage and modern presentation of traditional stories.

Final Verdict

A.R.M stands as a significant achievement in Malayalam cinema, representing successful venture into fantasy-action genre while maintaining strong cultural roots. The film demonstrates that regional cinema can achieve high production values without compromising local identity.

Despite minor shortcomings in pacing and screenplay, the film succeeds in creating engaging cinematic experience. Tovino Thomas’s exceptional performance, combined with Jithin Laal’s confident direction and impressive technical values, makes ARM a worthy addition to Malayalam film landscape.

The film’s success opens doors for more ambitious projects and establishes both Tovino Thomas and Jithin Laal as significant talents to watch. I found ARM to be a film that rewards viewers who appreciate spectacle, strong performances, and culturally rich storytelling.

Rating: 4/5