With Love Movie Review – Not Flashy, But Faithful
Filmmaker Abishan Jeevinth, who previously impressed with Tourist Family, steps into the spotlight as a leading man with With Love, a gentle romantic drama that wears its heart on its sleeve. Written by Madhan and produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth along with Magesh raj Pasilian, the film aims for emotional honesty over dramatic fireworks—and largely succeeds.
Story
With Love revolves around a young couple—played by Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan—who are newly engaged and gradually getting to know each other. During their conversations, they discover a shared past: both studied in the same school, albeit at different stages of adolescence. What begins as a sweet coincidence soon opens emotional doors they didn’t know still existed.
As their bond deepens, both characters feel compelled to confront unresolved feelings from their past—old loves they never fully addressed. Before stepping into marriage, they decide to revisit these memories and confess their truths to their respective partners. The film traces this emotional journey with sensitivity, focusing less on melodrama and more on quiet self-realization, closure, and maturity.
Performances
Anaswara Rajan is an instant charmer. Her screen presence is warm and engaging, and she brings a natural ease to her character. While her dialogues occasionally carry a noticeable malayalam linguistic texture that feels slightly off in a few scenes, her expressive acting quickly compensates, making the character deeply likable.
Abishan Jeevinth fits the role comfortably, delivering a sincere and restrained performance that never feels forced. His transition from director to actor feels organic, and he anchors the emotional core of the film effectively. Kavya Anil, despite limited screen time, leaves a neat impression, while Harish Kumar is convincing in his role. Saravanan appears briefly but manages to make his presence count.
Technicalities
Visually, the film is pleasing and breezy. The cinematography complements the mood of nostalgia and emotional introspection without drawing attention to itself. The frames feel soft and lived-in, enhancing the romantic tone.
Sean Roldan’s music is understated. While the songs are serviceable rather than standout, the background score works well, especially during emotional beats. The nostalgic placement of “Aval Varuvaala” is particularly effective. Editing is crisp in many stretches, though the first half could have benefited from tighter pacing.
Analysis
With Love doesn’t aim to reinvent the romantic drama genre. Instead, it focuses on emotional maturity—how people carry unfinished chapters within them and the courage it takes to close them before moving forward. The film’s strength lies in its sincerity and restraint. It trusts silence, subtle expressions, and everyday conversations rather than loud confrontations.
The narrative does dip slightly in momentum in the first half, but once it crosses the interval point, it finds its rhythm and emotional footing, culminating in a satisfying and thoughtful climax.
Standout Moments
The ice-cream shop sequence, the pre-interval stretch, the nostalgic use of “Aval Varuvaala,” the emotionally grounded climax, and the clean, fulfilling ending stand out as highlights that linger beyond the runtime.
What Works
• Mature, emotionally honest storytelling
• Anaswara Rajan’s charming and expressive performance
• Nostalgic moments that feel earned, not forced
• A satisfying climax and ending
What Doesn’t
• Sluggish pacing in parts of the first half• Songs that don’t quite elevate the narrative
• Minor linguistic inconsistencies in dialogues
Bottom Line
With Love is a neat, feel-good romantic drama that believes in emotional clarity and quiet storytelling. It may not sweep you off your feet, but it gently holds your hand and walks you through a warm, reflective journey, making it a pleasant and rewarding watch for romance lovers.