BOTTOM LINE
A Total Construction Disaster
PLATFORM
Jio Hotstar
RUNTIME
3 hours (6 episodes)
What Is the Film About?
Vinod, a Dubai-based corporate professional, is building a dream home in Kerala for his parents. He meets Gouri, and their romance quickly escalates to marriage plans, including a decision to move to Canada. However, Vinod’s sudden job loss triggers a series of escalating problems: mounting debt, a half-built house, and family disapproval. Also, Vinod’s cousin Pappan is on the hunt for a match.
Performances
Neeraj Madhav is just about alright as a modern-day man who struggles with his priorities in life. The underdeveloped role doesn’t quite extract the best out of him. Gouri Kishan, the 96 find, is also wasted in a superficial character that fails to tap into her trauma at home. Aju Varghese is the only actor who’s committed to making the show work and rises above its problems, albeit briefly.
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Analysis
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Love Under Construction is an apt title for a show revolving around a much-in-love couple and the protagonist’s pursuit of a dream home. The story isn’t exactly interested in Vinod and Gouri’s ‘romance’ but rather the complications in their relationship as the couple heads back home to discuss marriage plans with their parents. The decision invites uncalled-for trouble into their lives.
Sandwiched between the familial opposition to their marriage and arranging funds for his under-construction house, Vinod is close to losing his sanity. Worse, he has also mortgaged gold of his girlfriend’s mother to get the work going. It is fair to say the director displays a good understanding of the red-tapism and the systemic corruption that goes into the construction of a house.
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The roadblocks that Vinod faces in building a dream home are rooted in reality – say the shortage of funds, the collapse of a wall, the absence of any coordination between the contractor and the construction workers and the endless negotiations with government officials. The backdrop slightly reminds you of Balu Mahendra’s iconic film Veedu, which threw light on the woes of building a home in the 80s.
Many years later, not much seems to have changed in this part of the world. In addition, what works for the show is its satirical portrayal of the issues within apartments. From the bickering among committee members to the prying uncles and aunties at home to the heated arguments on Whatsapp groups and the blaring sounds from television sets, the chaos in the setup is captured effectively.
The intentional exaggeration of the conflicts, though obvious, invites much-needed situational humour into the proceedings that is often lost in a sea of cliches. In a show about the couple – the relationship makes no impact. There’s no strong reason for the viewer to invest in their journeys, and the show keeps jumping from one issue to the other, drowning in its superficiality.
Tropes like parental opposition, the controlling father of a daughter, the over-conservative mother who submits to his toxicity suck the joy out of the show. It’s outlandishly boring to see scenes like a girl being locked in her house with the phone being snatched away – someone please tell the filmmaker that Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (directed by Fazil) days are a thing of the past today.
In contrast, Pappan’s story – relegated to the sidelines – is more intriguing. It’s a relief that he doesn’t take his problems too seriously. How he gradually looks beyond his conservative mother and finds a way to drive his relationship forward with Lissy (a government officer at the registrar’s office) is refreshing. It’s also good to see an imaginative ending in a largely underwhelming drama.
Love Under Construction is a generic, functional relationship drama which could’ve made room for a compelling conflict, but has barely any silver linings and remains confused about its path. It neither works as a comedy nor as a romance drama.
Performances by Others Actors
The supporting cast – comprising Kiran Peethambaran, Ganga Meera, Thankam Mohan, Saheer Mohammed and Manjusree Nair – perform to the best of their abilities, but can’t go beyond the limitations of the caricaturish parts.
Music and Other Departments?
Gopi Sundar’s music – both the score and the occasional song – is strangely mediocre, going by the standards he has set for himself. However, the perfunctory scripts limit the value he could add to a show like this. Ajay David Kachappilly’s cinematography is among its brighter spots. The absence of a good script is the real villain and no technician can really help with the damage control.
Highlights?
Aju Varghese’s performance
Some comedy portions
Basic idea behind the show
Drawbacks?
Dull, lifeless screenplay
Superficial execution
Mediocre performances, no emotion
Did I Enjoy It?
Not much
Will You Recommend It?
No
Love Under Construction Review by M9
