Rating: 3.5/5
Eternally Confused and Eager for Love is fun and raunchy, with the adulthood problems of a SoBo guy. The Netflix sitcom is relatable and appealing with its aesthetic filming – a fine piece of writing by Rahul Nair in his directorial debut.
The eight-episode rom-com sitcom starring Vihaan Samat as Ray and Jim Sarbh as Wiz, “Ray’s inner voice and a stupid toy,” is fresh and entertaining with nothing new but a relatable concept of adulthood problems that hit right.
If you already know that the voice-over performer is Jim, you’ll imagine him in your head throughout.
Watch trailer:
Plot
Ray (Vihaan Samat) is a 24-year-old awkward boy, who is navigating adulthood with the help of Wiz (Jim Sarbh), who is personification of Ray’s inner voice and technically a toy.
Ray is so awkward that his awkwardness is sometimes misjudged and his openness is misinterpreted in his hope to find love!
Story/Screenplay/Direction
The writer and director Rahul Nair hasn’t been easy in character building of his lead character. It reminded me of a drama series, remember ‘Masaba Masaba’? – A series made on hard-hitting clumsy life of Masaba Gupta and Neena Gupta.
However, Nair made sure that the character turns decisive over his influential inner voice. Vihaan is a good casting for Ray’s character as his charming yet depressive expressions lit up the aura.
Ray’s parents played by Rahul Bose and Suchitra Pillia are other characters who act subtle and entertaining. It’s a bit hard to believe that a face like Vihaan, who isn’t sexually experienced, how? And yet you can envy with his bold inner voice played by Jim as to why don’t you have one?
Riya (Dalai) is Ray’s only childhood friend out of the two (Riya and his work buddy Varun), kinda looked a like a match who would end up together in the end but, the first season ends with a savory twist which was a predictable.
Ray’s uncomfortable space in relationships makes his parents, Riya and Varun constantly setting him up for dates.
The screenplay is engaging as it keeps you hooked with the series most of the times. However, there are few scenes in the series that didn’t have much of a play but it didn’t kill the time which was a win.
Nair’s directorial attempt was good, as it lights up the mood with a different concept which is stress-free unlike thrillers, mysteries and actions and completely fits the space in current time.
With a hunt on the series title, ‘Eternally Confused and Eager for Love’ jokingly came out of nowhere and got finalized throughout the making of the series.
Performances
Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Productions are always looking for fresh talents. The series doesn’t have elite faces and still manages to entertain the audience with a cast of good artistes.
Vihaan Samat’s acting was charming with the apt expressions in the situation. He very well suited the role of a 24-years rich kid who got nothing to do on his own.
His characterization was on subtle and funny (with awkwardness, of course). He is improving as an actor and a lead character with this role comparatively from his last show “Mismatched” Season 1.
Jim Sarbh (is) for real! A wannabe character in such situations with pleasingly appealing and enticing voice over. As mentioned already, you can imagine him as a character throughout in your head.
Rahul Bose and Suchitra Pillai were really good on screen together. Ankur Rathee and Dalai had good presence too especially Ankur, who is known for such alpha characters.
Overall
As we wait for its second season, the first season ended on interesting, fun and entertaining note. From the story, screenplay, direction to cinematography and editing with the casts and their acting everything is engaging and lively even in Ray’s painful hope of finding the love.
The Akhtar duo’s vision of looking at and making films is rich in itself with newer experience and ability to provide different concept always.
With films and series like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, Made in Heaven and many more, now Eternally Confused and Eager for Love is added to the list.
The series is currently straming on Netflix.
Published By: Manan Khurana
Edited By: Khushi Thakur
