O2 Movie Review: Nayanthara's Survival Drama Is Ambitious, But Misses The Mark

O2, the survival drama that features Nayanthara in the lead role has finally been released on Disney+ Hotstar. The movie, which is helmed by GS Viknesh, revolves around a single mother's struggles to save her little son. O2 is bankrolled by SR Prakash Babu and SR Prabhu, under the banner Dream Warrior Pictures.

Does the Nayanthara-starrer live up to expectations? Read the O2 movie review here to know...

What's Yay:

Performances of Nayanthara & child artist Rithvik

Interesting premise

What's Nay:

Lack of conviction in storytelling

Shallow characters

Weak second half and climax

Plot

Parvathy (Nayanthara) is a single mother who lives with her little son Veera (Rithvik). The child suffers from a disorder named cystic fibrosis, which makes it difficult for him to breathe without the support of an oxygen cylinder. After learning that Veera can lead a normal life post-surgery, she takes him to a reputed hospital in Kochi for the same. However, the busy journey ends up putting their lives in danger, and Parvathy fights against all odds to save both her son and his oxygen cylinder.

Script & Direction

Director GS Viknesh begins O2 on an interesting note, with a promising premise. The film is unarguably ambitious and presents a few moments that make a mark. The relationship between a doting mother and her ailing child is established effortlessly, and it later emerges as one of the major saving graces of the film. The movie tries to get its viewers engaged by leaving links in the first half that connect with certain situations in the second half.

But O2 falters when it comes to the conviction in storytelling. Apart from Parvathy and her son Veera, all other characters come across as shallow and simply lack a proper arc. This makes it extremely difficult for the audience to connect with any of the characters. The proceedings in the second half end up forced, and the movie ends with an underwhelming climax.

O2 definitely had the potential to become a gripping survival drama, but the lack of conviction in writing and narration makes it an unsatisfying watch.

Verdict

O2 is one of those films that begins on an ambitious note with an interesting premise, but misses the mark. This Nayanthara-starrer ends up as an underwhelming, passable film.