Language: Tamil, Hindi
Genre: Gangster Drama, Period Romance
Directed by: Karthik Subbaraj
Rating: UA (Suitable for viewers above 13 years)
A Visually Rich Tale That Struggles with Its Many Themes
Retro is a film with bold ambition, attempting to blend a love story, gangster drama, and philosophical musing into a period piece that spans multiple decades. With Suriya in the lead and Karthik Subbaraj at the helm, expectations were high. And while the film starts on a promising note, it eventually loses its grip as it tries to juggle too many ideas.
Check out: Retro Hindi Trailer Review: Suriya’s 80s-Style Rampage Meets Romance and Revenge
The narrative follows Paarivelkannan, an orphan with a mysterious birthmark, who is adopted by a gangster family. As the story unfolds through the decades—from the 1960s to the 90s—his journey becomes one of personal loss, transformation, and existential questioning. The film explores deep themes like love, betrayal, purpose, and political ideologies. But despite a fascinating setup, Retro ends up being more cerebral than cinematic.
Performances: Suriya Steers the Ship
Suriya delivers a powerhouse performance as Paari, showcasing a wide emotional range from vulnerability to violent intensity. His portrayal gives the film its emotional heartbeat, especially during the early segments and key confrontational moments. Joju George, as the conflicted adoptive father, adds gravitas to the dynamic, while Pooja Hegde’s Rukmini serves more as a symbolic presence than a fully fleshed-out character. Supporting roles by Nasser and Vidhu bring quirky energy, though at times it feels misplaced.
Also Read: Retro Telugu Teaser: Is Suriya’s Comeback Bigger Than Ever? All You Need to Know!
Direction and Visual Aesthetics
Karthik Subbaraj’s vision is ambitious—perhaps overly so. The first chapter of the film is technically brilliant, with an impressive one-take action sequence and immersive world-building. The music by Santhosh Narayanan sets the tone well, complementing the film’s period aesthetic. However, as the story progresses, the pacing falters. Subbaraj’s trademark meta-commentary and socio-political undertones are present, but they often interrupt rather than enhance the storytelling.
Strengths and Shortcomings
What Works:
- Suriya’s Performance: A committed, layered portrayal that holds the film together.
- Technical Brilliance: The cinematography, music, and production design bring authenticity and scale.
- Ambitious Themes: The film dares to explore purpose, spirituality, and political conflict.
Where It Falters:
- Overstuffed Narrative: The film tries to cover too many themes, resulting in a lack of narrative clarity.
- Weak Emotional Core: The romantic subplot lacks depth and resonance.
- Dragged Second Half: The Andaman chapter and political detours dilute the central story.
- Preachy Writing: Important themes are spoon-fed rather than organically woven into the plot.
Final Verdict: ⭐️⭐️½ (2.5/5)
Retro is an ambitious film that wears its heart on its sleeve but falls short in its execution. Despite standout performances and strong technical finesse, the film buckles under the weight of its own ideas. It’s a cinematic experiment that partly pays off, but one that could have soared higher with a tighter narrative and more grounded emotional storytelling.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re a fan of Suriya or Karthik Subbaraj’s style of filmmaking, Retro may be worth a watch for its bold experimentation. Just don’t expect a cohesive or emotionally fulfilling journey. It’s a film of moments—not momentum.