Suriya’s legacy is unbound in Retro: An 80s film fuelled by nostalgia with heart racing twists.
Retro isn’t a film. It’s an emotional roller coaster of a trip down memory lane. This multigenre thriller blend itch inducing suspense with a nostalgic touch from the 90’s. Starring Suriya and sorely missed Pooja Hegde, Retro makes you cringe, sob, and cheer all at once. Further evidence that we could use better cinematic context.
Engrossing storyline with soft cues of reminicising
We are greeted with Surya performing as Arjun, a radio jockey turned recluse with an intriguing backstory alongside the vapid murder mystery he’s mused on. Pooja plays Meera, a truth seeking journalist cold-shouldering convention. Her captivating half truth reveals decades worth of secrets. While the love narrative is equally powerful, shining through is the taut whodunnit aspect of the film. Subbaraj’s retro fascinations: vintage radios, analog technolofy, and the one and only Ilaiyaraaja blended into a modern day neo thriller is done brilliantly.
Suriya’s Transformation: From Action Hero to Vulnerable Antihero.
Shedding his “mass” avatar for a role steeped in vulnerability, Suriya single-handedly carries the film with a career-defining performance for Arjun, one of a man plagued by guilt and desperate to seek salvation. Relatable, his breakdowns in-show late night radio host are already sparking Oscar buzz. “Suriya’s silence speaks louder than dialogue,” commented critic Rajeev Masand.
Pooja Hegde: Breaking The Bollywood Mould.
Hegde shines as Meera while ditching glamour for grit. Her chemistry with Suriya crackles, especially in rain-saturated arguments where she passionately charges: ‘Truth isn’t retro – it’s eternal.’ Fans are hailing this as her finest performance since Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.
Nostalgia Without Gimmicks Karthik Subbaraj’s Genius.
The Subbaraj of Pizza and Jigarthanda fame crafts a love letter to the 90s that lacks cliche. Rather than employing retro props, the director uses tone – grainy flashbacks, analog soundscapes, even the music courtesy Santhosh Narayanan is haunting. His signature twists are bound to keep viewers guessing until the final frame.
Why Retro Resonates: A Universal Story of Regret and Hope
Above all, Retro asks a mystifying question: Is it even possible to escape the shackles of our past? Arjun’s journey showcases our yearning for redemption beautifully. “I saw myself in Suriya, my father. So flawed, yet, so human,” shared a viewer in Chennai.
Audience Reactions: Clapping, Laughing, and Shocked with the Ending
Twitter Buzz: #RetroMagic trends with memes of Suriya’s look and radio jockey and Hegde’s dialogues.
Crowds applauded in the Vintage game store during the chase scenes of the climax.
Critics’ Take: “Subbaraj rises the ’90s to the same level retros is at now, without ridiculing. Press,” said David from Film Companion praising him.
Flaws? It isn’t that simple. A slow burn, the ultimate test for grueling patience.
Setting the mood for casual viewers in the first 30 minutes will be torturous. But the payoff will be supplied with a marvelous second half.
