I’m Game starts with the confidence of a film that knows exactly what game it wants to play. Director Nahas Hidhayath delivers the banger first half that showcases actor Dulquer Salmaan and his energy was a blast. For a considerable stretch, the gamble pays off.
The unusual fantasy element adds curiosity to an otherwise familiar betting, gamble and gangster setup, while DQ brings the swagger and physicality the character demands. The action portions are neatly staged, the visuals are impressive, and Jakes Bejoy’s background score gives several sequences the necessary punch. That interval block is DQ’s peak.
While, the second half struggles to maintain that momentum. Once the film begins explaining its central mystery, the novelty gradually wears off & the film falls into the regular template pit. It’s an entirely different story, and the flashback doesn’t deliver the impact needed to justify what the film establishes in the first half. The emotional portions and extended stretches of exposition also slow the film down.
Dulquer remains watchable throughout, while Antony Varghese and Mysskin add weight to the proceedings. Kayadu Lohar is mostly there for a song, and Samyuktha Vishwanathan is just there without much to do. I’m Game is an ambitious and stylish attempt that delivers a solid first half, and for that alone, it deserves a watch.
