My Story movie review: My Story lacks fizz

Cast: Prithviraj, Parvathy, Manoj K. Jayan, Ganesh Venkataraman 
Director: Roshni Dinaker
 

The expectation was sky-high. The film My Story was bringing together the combination of Prithviraj and Parvathy, who created magic through Ennu Ninte Moideen. Coincidentally, My Story, directed by Roshni Dinaker, was also projected as a love story. The teasers and songs hinted at a pair passionately in love, gallivanting around the vibrant and colourful backdrop of Portugal and Lisbon. Sadly a bunch of good actors, mesmerising locations and lilting songs by Shaan Rahman do not compensate for a weak script. 

The story aspires to be about a great love and about the madness of love, but somehow the script or the direction does not weave the two together into a seamless tapestry. It is a story that has been seen before — a struggling actor Jay who dreams of nothing but films  (played by Prithviraj) who approaches a leading director (Manoj K. Jayan) who, impressed by Jay’s confidence gives him a role as the lead in his film. Thara played by Parvathy is a popular actor and Jay develops an attraction for her the moment he sets eyes on her. The shoot then moves to Lisbon where Jay finds out that Thara is engaged to a rich businessman David played by Ganesh Venkataraman.

Thara though is not happy with the alliance, which will be more a marriage of convenience. She finds the joviality and innocence of Jay a big pull and starts liking him and draws him to be a part of her mad schemes. In turn, he questions her personal and professional decisions. The day of the pack up of the film proves to be a turning point in their lives with both of them leaving for a trip to Madrid by road. What happens during the road trip and how that impacts their lives is the basis of the film. Parvathy is able to portray two different personas with admirable talent, but since this is a story where a woman makes the first move in love, a little more investment in her emotions would have gone a long way.

The script by Shanker Ramakrishnan takes a non-linear style, which is jarring at times shifting between a younger version of Jay and his elegant older self, who is any day better than the younger Jay. Some scenes are repeated and talented actors like Nassar, Manoj K. Jayan etc. seem to have little to do in the film except mouth some dialogues. Yes, there are humourous and emotional scenes but there are certain blanks too which are left gaping wide open when the film finishes. Prithviraj and Parvathy are a treat to watch and have good chemistry. The sound department and background music is apt. The cinematography and costumes by Roshni herself are mind blowing and almost all the songs have trended due to their peppy, foot-tapping music.