‘Manaman’ (2024) Netflix Movie Review - Totally Dumb

Manaman ambitiously attempts to explore the struggles of a young man navigating life’s relentless challenges, but it falls flat due to poor storytelling, clichéd character arcs, and a lackluster execution that leaves the audience disappointed. While the premise holds promise—a tale of resilience and friendship amidst adversity—the film fails to deliver anything remotely impactful or memorable.

The story revolves around Mana, a young man drowning under the weight of financial instability and familial responsibilities. Unable to pay for the Wi-Fi password or his sister’s college fees, his sister is eventually expelled, adding another layer of despair to his life. Mana struggles to secure a job, enduring one failed interview after another. The only silver lining in his bleak existence is his supportive circle of friends, including Joy, a stylist on movie sets who secretly harbors feelings for Mana. When Joy finds him a gig as a body double, it seems like Mana's fortunes might finally take a turn. Unfortunately, his childhood nemesis, Puek, resurfaces to sabotage his every move, including landing a competing role in the same film.

The movie’s premise had the potential to explore powerful themes like perseverance, loyalty, and redemption. However, these themes are buried under a sea of melodrama and uninspired writing. Mana’s hardships, while sympathetic, are presented so repetitively and predictably that they quickly lose emotional weight. The audience is subjected to a series of manufactured setbacks that feel more contrived than authentic, making it difficult to truly root for Mana’s success.

The characters are similarly underwhelming. Mana is painted as a pitiable underdog, but his lack of agency or growth throughout the film makes him a frustrating protagonist. Instead of evolving or learning to overcome his challenges in meaningful ways, he often relies on others, particularly Joy, to solve his problems. Joy, meanwhile, is reduced to the stereotypical “supportive love interest,” with no depth or agency of her own. Her talents as a stylist or her personal struggles are barely touched upon, rendering her more of a plot device than a character.

The biggest disappointment comes in the form of the antagonist, Puek. His vendetta against Mana is shallow and poorly developed, relying on vague childhood grievances that are never adequately explained. Puek’s actions—snatching jobs from Mana and landing roles in the same film—are petty and lack the dramatic tension necessary for a compelling rivalry.

Even the film’s climax, which should have been a thrilling confrontation between Mana and Puek, is anticlimactic and predictable. Instead of delivering a powerful message of triumph or reconciliation, the resolution feels rushed and hollow, leaving the audience unsatisfied.

Technically, the film suffers as well. The cinematography is uninspired, and the pacing drags, especially in the first half. The dialogues are riddled with clichés, and the attempts at humor fall flat. All the actors go over the top with their acting and at one point you think who is actually more dumb?- the makers for making this movie, the actors for signing up for this movie, or you for deciding to watch this movie?

In conclusion, Manaman squanders its potential with a poorly written script, one-dimensional characters, and a lack of emotional depth. What could have been an inspiring tale of resilience ends up being a tedious watch that fails to connect with its audience. It’s a film that tries hard to be uplifting but ultimately feels hollow and forgettable.

Final Score- [4/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times