SWAG Movie Review: A Confusing Yet Bold Attempt by Hasith Goli

Date: October 04, 2024

SWAG Movie Review: A Confusing Yet Bold Attempt by Hasith Goli

SWAG Movie Review: A Sincere Yet Imperfect Film

SWAG Rating: 2.25/5
Duration: 2 hrs 40 mins | Genre: Comedy
Release Date: 4th October 2024
Cast: Sree Vishnu, Ritu Varma, Meera Jasmine, Daksha Nagarkar, Sharanya Pradeep
Director: Hasith Goli
Producers: TG Vishwa Prasad, Vivek Kuchibhotla
Music: Vivek Sagar
Production House: People Media Factory

Introduction

SWAG, directed by Hasith Goli, is his second film after Raja Raja Chora, and it once again stars Sree Vishnu in the lead role. The film garnered attention for its intriguing yet confusing promos, which seemed to span across multiple timelines. With a cast of talented actors like Ritu Varma, Meera Jasmine, Sharanya Pradeep, and Daksha Nagarkar, the film attempts to explore gender politics, comedy, and multiple narratives but falls short due to its complex storytelling.

Plot Overview of SWAG

The film introduces Ritu Varma as Rani Rukmini Devi, a queen from a matriarchal kingdom in the year 1591, where men are oppressed. The kingdom’s harsh rules go as far as killing male children. Fast forward to the present day, the lost heirs of this royal family try to claim their treasure, leading to a series of comedic yet chaotic events. This rivalry and treasure hunt form the core of the film.

Sree Vishnu portrays several characters, including an Instagram influencer named Singareni, King Bhavabhuthi, a police officer, and a surprise character that unfolds later in the film. However, despite the fascinating premise, the narrative often becomes tangled due to its non-linear storytelling and scattered focus on different timelines.

Performances of SWAG

Sree Vishnu delivers one of the best performances of his career. Playing multiple challenging roles, he showcases his versatility with distinct looks and mannerisms for each character. His portrayal of these complex characters helps bring some coherence to the otherwise confusing plot. For fans of Sree Vishnu, this movie is a delight, and his title as the “King of Content” is well-deserved.

Meera Jasmine makes a refreshing return to the screen, pairing up with Sree Vishnu in an enjoyable manner. Their chemistry, particularly for the 90s audience, evokes nostalgia. Sharanya Pradeep also impresses in her brief role.

On the other hand, Ritu Varma fails to impress. She plays two characters: Rani Rukmini Devi and Anubhuti, a feminist civil engineer in the present. While her performance as Rani feels unconvincing, the writing for Anubhuti does little justice to her acting talent. Daksha Nagarkar also suffers from underwritten material, offering little more than glamour to the film.

Technical Aspects

Vivek Sagar’s music adds vibrancy to the film, though it lacks the memorability of his earlier works like Sammohanam or Pelli Choopulu. The songs complement the chaotic energy of the film, but they don’t elevate the experience significantly.

The cinematography adds to the film’s colourful and lively atmosphere, enhancing its visual appeal. The sets and production design successfully capture the chaos and energy of each timeline.

Viplav Nyshadam does a commendable job with the editing, considering the film’s non-linear structure. However, some backstories and portions could have been trimmed to improve pacing, as the film feels unnecessarily stretched at times.

Strengths

Sree Vishnu’s Performance: The actor shines in his multiple roles, bringing depth and energy to the film.
Social Messaging: The film takes a bold step in addressing gender politics and patriarchy, offering a refreshing perspective.
Literary Dialogues: The film’s dialogues, particularly those dealing with the historical timeline, are well-written and add a layer of richness.

Weaknesses

Confusing Screenplay: The film’s intricate story often leaves the audience lost, especially in the first half.
Weak Comedy: Despite being categorized as a comedy, the film struggles to deliver consistent laughs.
Pacing Issues: At 2 hours and 40 minutes, the film feels overly long and could have benefited from tighter editing.

Analysis

The concept of SWAG is undeniably ambitious. The film attempts to tell a unique story by blending multiple timelines, historical settings, and comedy, but it ultimately falters under the weight of its own complexity. While the second half of the film brings more clarity, the first half leaves the audience confused and disconnected.

Despite these flaws, SWAG succeeds in presenting an interesting take on gender roles and power dynamics, which may appeal to a more youthful, urban audience. However, it may alienate older viewers and families who prefer more straightforward storytelling.

Conclusion

SWAG is a film that dares to be different, but its convoluted execution holds it back from reaching its full potential. While Sree Vishnu’s performance is stellar, and the social messaging is commendable, the film’s weak pacing and confusing narrative make it a mixed bag.

Verdict: An ambitious film that struggles to balance its many ideas, SWAG works better for niche audiences but may disappoint mainstream viewers.