Review : The Birthday Boy

Movie Name : The Birthday Boy

Release Date : July 19, 2024

Starring : Ravi Krishna, Mani Vaka, Raja Ashok, Vikranth Ved, Sai Arun, Rahul Ch, Rajeev Kanakala, Sameer Malla, and others
Director : Whisky

Producers : iBharatth

Music Director: Prashanth Srinivas

Cinematographer: Sankirth Raahul

Editor: Naresh Adupa

Story :

Five friends were having an epic birthday bash in the USA when things went horribly wrong. It was supposed to be a night of fun and celebration, but out of nowhere, the birthday boy collapsed and passed away.

Everyone was stunned and couldn’t believe what had happened. They were all just trying to have a good time, and now they were faced with this tragic mystery. What caused their friend’s sudden death? They were left grappling for answers amidst their shock and confusion.

As they tried to piece together the events of that fateful night, they realized they needed to figure out exactly what went wrong. How could a joyful celebration turn into such a heartbreaking tragedy?

Now, the friends not only had to mourn the loss of their dear friend but also had to find a way to come to terms with the shocking turn of events. It was a challenging time for them as they navigated through grief and sought closure.

Together, they embarked on a journey to uncover the truth behind the untimely death and to find solace in their memories of happier times. It was a journey that would test their friendship and resilience like never before.

Positive Aspects:

The writer and director, Whisky, stirred up curiosity during the movie’s promotion by keeping his identity a mystery. This element of secrecy continues in the film itself, pulling the audience deeper into his storytelling.

Packed with suspense and mystery, the story unfolds with scenes that heighten anticipation. Clever twists add excitement and ensure viewers stay engaged.

Taking place mostly at night, the film benefits from its use of dimly-lit cinematography, which intensifies the suspenseful atmosphere created by the talented crew.

Despite most of the actors being new faces, apart from Ravi Krishna (known for “Virupaksha”), they deliver solid performances. Their acting skills contribute to the film’s compelling narrative, keeping the audience enthralled from start to finish.

Negative Aspects:

A suspense thriller hinges on a gripping plot and a well-crafted screenplay, but The Birthday Boy falls short in these areas. Despite the director’s efforts, the film struggles in its second half, especially in handling the aftermath of the death.

The emotional scenes lack the power to resonate, and revealing the mystery too early in the second half is a major misstep. Keeping the suspense alive until the very end would have made a stronger impact. Many scenes feel slow-paced and do little to advance the overall story.

Some dialogues are not suitable for all audiences, which might restrict the film’s appeal to younger viewers. The emotional depth and climax could have been more intense, and characters like Rajiv Kanakala’s seem underutilized and don’t significantly contribute to the storyline.

Technical Elements:

Whisky has potential as a director, but the story could have been more interesting with a stronger screenplay and better editing in the second half. His vision could have been enhanced with a more gripping storytelling approach.

The cinematography stands out with its impressive visuals, and the music effectively heightens tension during important scenes. The production quality is high, but the editing, particularly in the second half, could have been smoother.

Overall, while Whisky shows promise behind the camera, refining the screenplay and tightening up the editing would have made the film even more engaging and impactful.

Conclusion:

Overall, The Birthday Boy is a suspenseful thriller aimed at younger audiences, but it only delivers excitement sporadically. Despite Whisky’s earnest direction and decent acting, the movie is held back by scenes that drag on and a less engaging second half.

The inclusion of mature dialogues restricts the film’s appeal to a wider audience. If you’re looking for entertainment this weekend, you might want to consider exploring other options.

Piktalk.com Rating: 2.25/5

Reviewed by Team Piktalk