With Love Movie Review: Recent romantic comedy drama
Directed by Madhan, starring Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan is a recent romantic comedy-drama that has garnered attention for its heartfelt take on young love, nostalgia, and unspoken feelings. Released in early 2026, it draws from familiar Tamil rom-com tropes but infuses them with relatable charm and emotional warmth.
Plot OverviewThe story centers on a young man (played by Abishan Jeevinth) navigating the lingering emotions from a teenage crush that never fully materialized. The narrative unfolds in a conversational style, blending present-day interactions with nostalgic flashbacks to school days and unconfessed feelings. It explores themes of closure, unspoken love, and the chaos of first love, often symbolized through butterflies and everyday moments that felt monumental in youth.
The plot follows a classic meet-cute turned rom-com trajectory: chance encounters, awkward yet endearing conversations, light-hearted misunderstandings, and eventual emotional revelations. Without relying on over-the-top drama or villains, the film keeps things grounded in relatable scenarios—like family dynamics, friendships, and the quiet anxiety of expressing feelings. The second half shifts toward resolution and maturity, addressing how past loves shape present ones. While predictable in structure (echoing influences from films like Premam, 96, or Autograph), it prioritizes emotional authenticity over twists, making it a breezy, feel-good watch that celebrates simple, sincere romance. The pacing is relaxed, with the first half setting up charm and humor, and the latter delivering nostalgic payoffs and heartfelt closure.PerformanceThe leads carry the film with natural chemistry and conviction. Abishan Jeevinth, in what appears to be a prominent leading role (possibly his debut as a hero), delivers a sincere, understated performance that captures the awkwardness and vulnerability of young love. His expressive eyes and subtle expressions convey unspoken longing effectively, making his character relatable and endearing.Anaswara Rajan shines as the female lead, bringing warmth, playfulness, and emotional depth. Her portrayal feels fresh and authentic, with a cute, convincing charm that elevates the rom-com elements. The supporting cast, including familiar faces like Saravanan and others, adds solid support—providing comic relief, familial grounding, and heartfelt moments without overshadowing the leads. The ensemble feels cohesive, with no weak links, and the youthful energy from the younger actors makes the teenage flashbacks particularly engaging. Overall, the performances are a major strength, turning what could have been clichéd into something genuinely likable and heartfelt.Technical AspectsDirector Madhan's debut shows promise in crafting intimate, dialogue-driven scenes rather than flashy spectacles. The cinematography captures everyday beauty—school corridors, casual hangouts, and quiet moments—with a soft, nostalgic glow that enhances the emotional tone. Visuals are clean and appealing, with good use of natural lighting and framing that emphasizes intimacy.Sean Roldan's music is a highlight: vibrant, melodic tracks that blend romance and youthfulness, complementing the mood without overpowering the story. The background score supports emotional beats effectively, though some note it could have been more blockbuster-level impactful. Editing keeps the film breezy, with smooth transitions between past and present, though occasional drops in pacing (especially early in the second half) are noticeable. Production values are solid for a mid-budget rom-com—nothing groundbreaking, but competent and polished, with Soundarya Rajinikanth's involvement ensuring a professional sheen.Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths: The film's biggest asset is its heartfelt sincerity and relatability. It excels at capturing the magic and messiness of first love—those butterflies, shy smiles, and lingering regrets—without melodrama. The leads' chemistry feels genuine, and the nostalgic elements resonate strongly with audiences who grew up in similar eras (Orkut days, school crushes). Humor lands lightly and organically, the supporting cast is charming, and the mature approach to closure adds emotional weight. It's a comforting, family-friendly watch with wholesome vibes, no vulgarity, and a feel-good aftertaste that lingers.
Weaknesses: The story follows a conventional pattern and doesn't reinvent the rom-com wheel—some conflicts feel forced or clichéd, and the script occasionally lacks deeper emotional scaffolding to make payoffs fully organic. Pacing dips in parts, particularly early second half, and while nostalgic, it can feel familiar to fans of similar Tamil films. It prioritizes sweetness over depth, which might leave some wanting more complexity or surprises. Technical elements are good but not exceptional, and the music, while solid, misses a truly memorable blockbuster album.
Final VerdictWith Love is a sweet, unpretentious rom-com that succeeds as a breezy weekend watch. It won't redefine the genre or deliver spectacle, but it offers genuine charm, likable leads, and a tender exploration of unexpressed love and finding closure. In a sea of high-drama entertainers, its simplicity and heart make it refreshing—perfect for those seeking light, nostalgic romance without cynicism. It's the kind of film that sits quietly in your chest long after, reminding you of loves confessed (or not). Recommended for fans of feel-good Tamil cinema.Rating3.5/5 – A solid, enjoyable youthful romance with strong performances and emotional warmth, though held back slightly by familiarity and minor pacing issues.
The plot follows a classic meet-cute turned rom-com trajectory: chance encounters, awkward yet endearing conversations, light-hearted misunderstandings, and eventual emotional revelations. Without relying on over-the-top drama or villains, the film keeps things grounded in relatable scenarios—like family dynamics, friendships, and the quiet anxiety of expressing feelings. The second half shifts toward resolution and maturity, addressing how past loves shape present ones. While predictable in structure (echoing influences from films like Premam, 96, or Autograph), it prioritizes emotional authenticity over twists, making it a breezy, feel-good watch that celebrates simple, sincere romance. The pacing is relaxed, with the first half setting up charm and humor, and the latter delivering nostalgic payoffs and heartfelt closure.PerformanceThe leads carry the film with natural chemistry and conviction. Abishan Jeevinth, in what appears to be a prominent leading role (possibly his debut as a hero), delivers a sincere, understated performance that captures the awkwardness and vulnerability of young love. His expressive eyes and subtle expressions convey unspoken longing effectively, making his character relatable and endearing.Anaswara Rajan shines as the female lead, bringing warmth, playfulness, and emotional depth. Her portrayal feels fresh and authentic, with a cute, convincing charm that elevates the rom-com elements. The supporting cast, including familiar faces like Saravanan and others, adds solid support—providing comic relief, familial grounding, and heartfelt moments without overshadowing the leads. The ensemble feels cohesive, with no weak links, and the youthful energy from the younger actors makes the teenage flashbacks particularly engaging. Overall, the performances are a major strength, turning what could have been clichéd into something genuinely likable and heartfelt.Technical AspectsDirector Madhan's debut shows promise in crafting intimate, dialogue-driven scenes rather than flashy spectacles. The cinematography captures everyday beauty—school corridors, casual hangouts, and quiet moments—with a soft, nostalgic glow that enhances the emotional tone. Visuals are clean and appealing, with good use of natural lighting and framing that emphasizes intimacy.Sean Roldan's music is a highlight: vibrant, melodic tracks that blend romance and youthfulness, complementing the mood without overpowering the story. The background score supports emotional beats effectively, though some note it could have been more blockbuster-level impactful. Editing keeps the film breezy, with smooth transitions between past and present, though occasional drops in pacing (especially early in the second half) are noticeable. Production values are solid for a mid-budget rom-com—nothing groundbreaking, but competent and polished, with Soundarya Rajinikanth's involvement ensuring a professional sheen.Strengths and WeaknessesStrengths: The film's biggest asset is its heartfelt sincerity and relatability. It excels at capturing the magic and messiness of first love—those butterflies, shy smiles, and lingering regrets—without melodrama. The leads' chemistry feels genuine, and the nostalgic elements resonate strongly with audiences who grew up in similar eras (Orkut days, school crushes). Humor lands lightly and organically, the supporting cast is charming, and the mature approach to closure adds emotional weight. It's a comforting, family-friendly watch with wholesome vibes, no vulgarity, and a feel-good aftertaste that lingers.
Weaknesses: The story follows a conventional pattern and doesn't reinvent the rom-com wheel—some conflicts feel forced or clichéd, and the script occasionally lacks deeper emotional scaffolding to make payoffs fully organic. Pacing dips in parts, particularly early second half, and while nostalgic, it can feel familiar to fans of similar Tamil films. It prioritizes sweetness over depth, which might leave some wanting more complexity or surprises. Technical elements are good but not exceptional, and the music, while solid, misses a truly memorable blockbuster album.
Final VerdictWith Love is a sweet, unpretentious rom-com that succeeds as a breezy weekend watch. It won't redefine the genre or deliver spectacle, but it offers genuine charm, likable leads, and a tender exploration of unexpressed love and finding closure. In a sea of high-drama entertainers, its simplicity and heart make it refreshing—perfect for those seeking light, nostalgic romance without cynicism. It's the kind of film that sits quietly in your chest long after, reminding you of loves confessed (or not). Recommended for fans of feel-good Tamil cinema.Rating3.5/5 – A solid, enjoyable youthful romance with strong performances and emotional warmth, though held back slightly by familiarity and minor pacing issues.
