The cast was young and talented. The technical crew, competent. The director was Dinakar -- his brother Darshan launching him in this role here. And, the audio was doing quite well. So, naturally, everyone expected something different from Jothe Jotheyali.

It was not to be. What a good film needs is a strong story and neat narration, and Jothe Jotheyali lacks both.

It starts by informing us about an interesting statistic -- only 7.5 per cent of those who indulge in pre-marital sex end up with successful marriages, and only a few in that category save their marriages despite problems.

The film talks about a husband and wife who save their marriage even after filing divorce papers. The first half is briskly paced, although many sequences lack credibility. The second half is lengthy and illogical. The director lacks the vision to carry his film well, in even the most serious sequences. Even the comedy scenes lack punch.

Jothe Jotheyali could have been a Ramya film if the director had the maturity to give strength to her character. Sadly, there are many discrepancies in the way her character is moulded. For example, she speaks both in North Karnataka and the typical old Mysore accent, making us wonder where she is actually from. The same is the case with Dwarakish and Thulasi Shivamani, who play her parents. Still, Ramya has managed to do her best, but only in a few scenes. Prem shouts more than emotes, while Sharan and Bullet Prakash, two good actors, are big disappointments.

This film looks like a product made in a hurry, with little attention to details or quality. The couple is shown filing divorce papers in the district and sessions court, not the civil court. There are many, many silly and illogical scenes that make you wonder whether you should get out of the theatre or fall sleep.

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