TEST: Stream It or Skip It?
Get Ready for a Cricket Drama Like No Other: “Test,” now available on **Netflix**, is an engaging Indian drama that delves into the world of cricket—a sport that may elude the understanding of many in the West, but holds profound significance and passion in India. Think of it as the thrilling, suspense-filled essence of a **Mission: Impossible** film, where the stakes are just as high, but the context is a five-day cricket **test match** between fierce rivals India and Pakistan. This film, directed by **S. Sashikanth**, weaves a tapestry of personal struggles, high-stakes drama, and the complexities of ambition, challenging viewers to grapple with the intertwining lives of its characters.
The Gist of the Pitch
Arjun (Siddharth) stands at a pivotal crossroad in his tumultuous cricket career. Once hailed as a star player for the Indian national team, he now faces the unsettling pressure to retire after two disastrous years on the field. As the historic test match against Pakistan approaches, the weight of his legacy bears down heavily on him. His life revolves around cricket, and this obsession often spills into his home life, leaving his wife Meera Jasmine and their 10-year-old son, **Adi** (Lirish Rahav), to bear the brunt of his frustration.
Adi, desperately wanting to follow in his father’s footsteps, finds himself at odds with Arjun, who harshly criticizes him after a school match, underscoring the troubling notion that talent doesn’t erase parental responsibility.
Meanwhile, **Kumudha** (Nayanthara), Adi’s compassionate schoolteacher and long-time acquaintance of Arjun, navigates her own struggles. She’s married to **Saravanan** (R Madhavan), an ambitious but disillusioned MIT graduate whose dreams have yet to materialize, leading him into dangerous territory concerning loan sharks. The couple’s emotional turmoil is compounded by their challenges with conceiving a child, creating a poignant backdrop to their relationship dynamics.
The Intertwining Fates
The film takes its time—approximately three weeks of runtime—to establish the intersecting lives of Arjun and Kumudha, setting the stage for dramatic revelations. When Saravanan becomes entangled with a betting ring aiming to undermine the match, the narrative tension escalates, forcing choices that could irreversibly alter their lives. We witness a transformative—and some might argue, questionable—shift in Saravanan’s character, pushing him from a well-meaning yet flawed husband into morally dubious territory in pursuit of greatness. While this evolution is designed to captivate, it raises questions about its believability over the film’s course.
Flashbacks to Other Films
Test draws comparisons to an array of cinematic works, blending elements reminiscent of sports dramas like For Love of the Game, the emotional depth of This Is Us regarding family challenges, and even the intense plot dynamics found in Ransom. However, the execution leaves much to be desired, blending genres unevenly.
Noteworthy Performances
Among the cast, **Nayanthara shines brightly**, serving as the emotional anchor for the film amidst Siddharth’s often brooding portrayal of Arjun and Madhavan’s campy performance.
Memorable Lines
One poignant moment echoes throughout the film as Arjun grapples with his duality: “Should I choose the son I brought to life, or cricket, which is my life?” This line encapsulates the narrative’s struggle with parental loyalty versus personal ambition.
Sex and Skin
In terms of adult content, the film remains completely **free of sexual scenes**, keeping its focus on familial and sports drama.
Final Thoughts
Test is an ambitious cinematic endeavor that ultimately struggles with its execution. While the premise is rich with dramatic potential, the film suffers from pacing issues and emotional misalignment. It feels as though two separate stories were hastily stitched together—an engaging first half contrasting with a second half that loses its gripping narrative in an attempt to introduce thriller elements. The screenplay, authored by Sashikanth and Suman Kumar, presents solid ideas but falters in cohesively blending personal struggles with the overarching drama of the sport.
In conclusion, while Test offers glimpses of emotional honesty and thought-provoking themes, it is bogged down by excessive runtime and tonal inconsistencies, making it a **SKIP IT** for viewers seeking a finely-tuned drama.
Written by John Serba, freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
