BOTTOM LINE
Flat And Lifeless Teddy
RATING
2/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 17m
What Is the Film About?
Pallavi (Gayatri Bhardwaj) works as an Air Traffic Controller in Vizag airport. On her first day, a nervous Pallavi gets relaxed and comfortable when she gets in contact with pilot Aditya Ram (Allu Sirish). Soon, communication leads to love without each actually seeing each other.
On the other hand, a dreaded Hong Kong kingpin’s son needs a heart transplant. When he approaches Arjun, a money-minded evil doctor, he assures the organ and operation immediately on his terms.
What happens when Arjun (Ajmal) finds the donor in Pallavi? How does Aditya Ram save the day? Where does Teddy with a Life fit into all these forms of the movie’s overall story.
Performances
Allu Sirish dons the role of a pilot in Buddy. Physically he is fine and looks the part. However, the attitude that is part of the characterisation is missing.
Another major factor affecting the performance is the missing charm. The role of Aditya doesn’t require heavy-duty action or emotion. It is a straightforward part that requires a charming act to connect to the character and also generate chemistry.
While Allu Sirish does everything at the basic level without ruining anything he fails to take the whole thing to the next level. It wouldn’t have been an issue elsewhere, but here that’s a necessary thing to uplift the proceedings.
Gayatri Bhardwaj and Prisha Rajesh Singh are the female leads in the movie. Both the ladies fall for the hero but in different ways. The look does the work for them in terms of the characterisation given. Gayatri Bhardwaj has an additional emotional layer where she is fine. Prisha Rajesh Singh scores on the glamour front whenever the opportunity arises.
Analysis
Tamil director Sam Anton makes his Telugu debut with Buddy. Coming to the movie itself, its story, the blueprint is taken from the Tamil movie Teddy. However, the setting and lead pair background, etc, are changed here.
The first thing that stands out immediately when the movie begins is the quality. It gives a big screen appeal, and there is a comic book that meets a pulpy action tone to the whole thing via the colours and framing. It sets the right mood.
The story takes off immediately without wasting much time. But, it immediately exposes the flimsy nature of the whole thing. It is extremely predictable and we know what’s in store next.
The onus falls on the screenplay and a gripping narrative via the direction to hold the attention. Here the director succeeds partially.
The narrative runs smoothly revealing the key details following the formula. The mix of romance, thrill and little bit of action is alright. The major difference and fun part here is supposed to be generated by the teddy bear which comes to life.
There is some entertainment initially, but everything is flat and doesn’t hit the high note anywhere. Things go on on expected lines providing intermittent fun. The interval block, too, is on the same line. It could have been turned into a high moment, but doesn’t rise above the flatness.
Buddy’s second half is more in action and thriller mode more than comedy despite the addition of Ali in the mix.
The narrative follows a formulaic path moving on the expected lines while extracting clues to finding the next target and escaping from impossible situations. Things happen conveniently so the tale can move forward to reach the end.
After a flat hour in the second half, things turn mildly engaging when the hero faces the antagonist. It could have been better planned, but at least something is better than nothing. The pre-climax has its moments, but a lengthy climax again dilutes the impact.
Overall, Buddy is a fantasy action comedy where the unexpected element is a talking teddy. It gives a different dimension to the routine by-the-numbers action thriller proceedings. If that alone is enough, try it; otherwise, stay away as Buddy is as flat as it gets kind of tale.
Performances by Others Actors
We have a few known faces from a decade or more who play some key characters in Buddy. However, none of them gets fleshed out parts to make them memorable.
Ajmal starts well but goes missing for most of the narrative and appears majorly only during the latter half of the second half. He is fine in his act. Mukesh Rishi gets a fun and hip makeover, but there’s not much for him to do beyond the change in looks. Ali enters the scene post-intermission and is okay. The rest of the cast hardly registers.
Music and Other Departments?
The music by Hip Hop Tamizha is in his usual style, but nothing’s catchy here. The background score is serviceable to the plot. The cinematography is neat and gives a glossy look to the whole movie. The editing is decent. Not much is expected writing-wise, but it could be better considering the scope for comedy.
Highlights?
Visuals
Intermittent Fun
Interesting Fantasy Element
Drawbacks?
Routine Story
Predictable And Flat Narrative
Drags In Parts
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Buddy Telugu Movie Review by M9
