Review of 2:37 (2006) by God? — 01 Feb 2007

On face value, it's a no-holds-barred rehash of Elephant... replacing the mass murder with a very contained and very graphic suicide.

Let's get the basics over with, shall we?

Murali has constructed a flawed script that he's really stretched out for detail in regards to plot holes. But his attention to detail really only makes the predictability factor more apparent. The person who did kick the bucket? I didn't predict that person at all, and neither will you. Rather, I was disappointed by the linear outcomes of the six characters... their stories and the outcomes of these characters are guessed accurately by any man or woman sound of thought the moment their problems are spelled out at the start of the film.

A geek, a freak, a (blonde) emo, a slut, a homosexual, a jock... those are the six characters. Once you're introduced to them, you have no merit to stick around other than to see the admittedly gory finale.

But the fact that Murali Thalluri has dumped a false story all over this film to gather publicity that has since lead his film to tank on its opening weekend and seen his credibility crumble.

In the end, Murali's ability to turn the audience into the cast is charming... but it's something a first year film student could pull off with a little amateur thinking.

Thalluri needs to study and get his craft right, because I think hype has helped me give this otherwise mediocre piece three stars. If Murali were to continue, I have a feeling his already buried career would only burst into flames.