[SPOILERS AHEAD…]

Official Trailer:

Ten minutes in to the movie, there is a sequence where we follow Ram entering the school premise, climbing the staircase, walking through the corridors, entering the classroom, longingly looking at the benches, he shouts that is me looking at his name in the notice board. Director Prem Kumar doesn’t give us intercuts to show the thoughts he is going through. Prem Kumar is not in a hurry. He gives the time and lets the shots linger. His goal is to prime the viewers for the later sequence. Boy, did he succeed!! When we get the flashback sequence where we take the same corridor except this time with rousing Ilayaraja’s interlude from Putham puthu kalai and close in on face of Janu singing the first stanza to an enthralled classroom of students, we are hooked and Prem Kumar has us under his control!! This is a Director with clear vision on the story he wants to tell. We are spared of intro songs or masala scenes for stars, special thanks to VJS and Trisha for giving the control to director.

Movie starts with Ram, who is a famous photographer now, passing by Tanjavur. That reawakens his old memories, and he gets in touch with his friends. He gets added to WhatsApp group, his friends are delighted to connect with him, and they all plan a 96-batch reunion in Chennai. Reunion segues in to two beautiful flashbacks from their 10^th grade, one from Ram’s point of view and second from Janu’s. This stretch is well done with beautifully crafted scenes, use of Ilayaraja’s music works like magic and enhances the narration. Casting of younger versions of Ram, Janu, and their friends, is SPOT ON.

First half takes us through romance between Ram and Janu, sets up the character arcs of Ram and Janu. They are contrasting characters, Janu is more strong, assertive and forthcoming than Ram. This character setup works since it is Janu who takes the story forward in second half. While I loved the first half’s great nostalgic trip, it was second half that impressed me a lot. Post interval, it is only Ram and Janu till the end, but we are fully engaged with their heartwarming conversations. Friends take leave by interval realizing Ram and Janu need their time and space with the limited time they have (Janu has a flight to catch). When is the last time in Tamil movie you have seen that kind of tight storytelling with only two characters without viewers getting bored? It showcased director’s control and smart writing. Prem Kumar doesn’t resort to melodrama, there are too many opportunities in the movie for tear jerker moments, but he narrates them in an understated manner stripping them of emotions. He leaves the feel to the viewers.

The conversations they go through on missed opportunities to get back in touch sets up the stage where Janu reimagines what if version of their life to Ram’s students. On the screen it looks so natural and moving, doesn’t come out like a forced scene. Stretch where Ram reads the poem he wrote to Janu felt like a homage to Titanic Jack and Rose drawing scene. There are quite a few scenes that is going to linger in your memory for a long time, teacher going through roll call that takes you through famous names from that decade, WhatsApp, old memories from the trunk and pazhaiya vasanai, and of course, Are you still a virgin and Aambala nattukatta (a big shout out to VJS and Trisha). 96 is a movie about unconditional love with beautifully crafted scenes which will make you nostalgic.