Kiss: Sweet Like a Peck, But Never Truly Passionate

In Tamil cinema fun rom-coms seem to be a dying a genre, despite people actually wanting it.

Just when you think, what else can be there in a rom-com? Obviously in the end, it's an happily ever after story. Kiss, also follows the same pattern but adds a layer of freshness to it. But just like love stories in real life, this film too has its ups and downs. Or let's say, what if Gautam from Mounam Pesiyadhe has a superpower? That would be Kiss.

The most interesting thing about Kiss is how it weaves in the fantasy element. Usually, fantasy or prophecy is the domain of action films. Seeing it used in a simple rom-com feels surprisingly fresh. The idea of a person being able to see the start and end of a couple’s love story when they kiss is a clever one, backed by a solid storyline of ancient kings and philosophies. The drama it builds is engaging, but the lack of emotional depth keeps you from truly rooting for him.

Kavin as Nelson is pretty much flawless, you don't really see him act, it's almost feels like his natural self. A very subtle performance that almost reminded me of Gautam from Mounam Pesiyadhe. Despite being stone faced pretty much all the time, he evokes the little emotion that's there in this film brilliantly.

Preethi Asrani as Sara looks drop-dead gorgeous from the very first frame to the last. She appears completely at ease with her character, and her dance is nothing short of flawless. However, unlike her graceful moves, the reason behind her falling for Nelson is never really explained in the film. A lot of time is spent on conversations about how they have never kissed before, but is that really enough to build love? I don’t think so. Still, since the story needs to move forward, they eventually do kiss, which then leads Nelson to distance himself. But this whole aspect never truly works, because you neither root for them nor feel for them as those crucial questions remain unanswered. Despite Jen Martin trying to pull you in with good songs and a decent background score, and Kavin portraying silent suffering, it all ends up having little impact. Instead, it only comes across as a speed breaker.

Satish comes in with some brilliant ideas, but they never quite feel fully developed. The fantasy element, Nelson’s evolving outlook on relationships, the clever use of dance, and even the brief love story between two dogs, all had the potential for real impact. If only he had built more on these, instead of relying on the usual formula of the love song, break-up song, shadow protector, and final win, the film could have potentially been an all-timer.

Ultimately, what I remember is not the love story of Nelson and Sara, but the 10-minutes love story between two dogs, where the emotions worked so beautifully. With dogs I think it's much easier to build sympathy, but when it comes to humans, you need more than just a prophecy and a cancer-free life.

Also Read: Lokah: Blending Mythology and Modern Superhero Storytelling

Despite these hiccups, the film flows smoothly from scene to scene, with humor that works well. And the laughs make up for it. VTV Ganesh as Thirunavukkarasan has hit this one out of the park with his brilliant timing, voice modulation, and delivery of Tanglish dialogues. The whole marriage sequence was a laugh riot in theaters.

Verdict: Kiss feels more like a peck on the cheek: simple, fun, but lacking emotional depth. A light entertainer that guarantees plenty of laughs.