'Love Me' is directed by newcomer Arun Bhimavarapu. It has been produced by Dil Raju Productions of 'Balagam' fame. In the run-up to the movie's release, the makers tried hard not to reveal much about the key characters and their identities. Since top-tier technicians are associated with the movie, the expectations only shored up. The film was described as a romantic horror thriller where the horror element is not run-of-the-mill. Let's find out what 'Love Me' is about in this review:
Plot:
Arjun (Ashish Reddy) is a YouTuber who wears black, walks barefoot and is a Lord Shiva devotee. His assistant Prathap and Prathap's girlfriend Priya (Vaishnavi Chaitanya) are taken aback by this decision to explore a haunted place where a lonesome ghost is said to devour innocent lives. When Arjun goes there, he develops an eerie liking for the ghost. The consequences of this surreal love for the ghost are potentially dangerous. Some of the outcomes could also be surprisingly positive. Which way will the clock swing?
Performances:
Ashish Reddy delves into the role with ease. He was expected to keep a nonchalant expression and that's what he does. The nature of his character needed him to get into the skin of the character more in the second hour. 'Baby' fame Vaishnavi Chaitanya gets to play a semi-meta role. Simran Chaudhary is seen as someone with extraordinary capabilities to bring skulls to life, though not literally. The rest of the casting, too, works, by and large.
Technical Departments:
Music: MM Keeravani's songs fit into the mood of the film.
Cinematography: PC Sreeram's work captures the atmospherics with conviction.
Production Design: Avinash Kolla designs the dwelling place of the ghost with mixed results.
Overall production values: Decent for a film of this genre.
Merits:
1. The film has an exciting premise, a solid interval block, and a climax with a complex narrative.
2. There are no cheap scares in the form of spooking the audience.
3. The love story takes a poetic form.
4. The film assumes the form of a musical horror story.
5. There are no over-stretched scenes.
6. A special cameo by an actress is organic. It is not forced or is meant to generate a publicity talking point.
7. There are no unnecessary characters. The film comes into its own in the last 30 minutes.
Demerits:
1. At times, 'Love Me' feels bloated and overcooked.
2. The portions where three missing/dead women are referred to could have been written deftly.
Vox Verdict:
'Love Me: If You Dare' is an atypical romantic horror thriller with an engaging final act. The climax and the last-minute scene are good. However, the film could have been way less confusing.
Rating: 3/5
