Cup Review | A Lacklustre Sports Drama That Misses the Mark

Sports dramas, especially in Indian cinema, often follow a formulaic path. Yet, even within those familiar templates, certain movies manage to captivate audiences with raw emotions, nail-biting moments, and the thrill of victory. Unfortunately, Cup, directed by Sanju V. Samuel, fails to deliver on all of those fronts. While it tries to capture the essence of an underdog story, the film falls flat, weighed down by clichéd writing, uninspiring performances, and an overall lack of innovation.

The Setup: A Predictable Journey Begins

The film opens with our protagonist, Nidhin Babu (played by Mathew Thomas), proclaiming his singular ambition: to win the district badminton cup. Right from the get-go, this overly blunt declaration feels like a misstep. Instead of allowing viewers to become invested in his journey and develop a sense of curiosity about his struggles and motivations, we are spoon-fed the primary goal, robbing the narrative of any suspense.

Nidhin, hailing from a modest background in Idukki, has dreams of becoming a badminton champion. He faces a series of challenges both personal and external that stand in the way of his aspirations. However, these obstacles feel contrived rather than natural, and the emotional beats of the film never quite land. In essence, Cup sets out to be an underdog tale but ultimately feels like a rehash of tired tropes without any substantial depth or novelty.

Weak Characterization: One-Dimensional Figures

One of the biggest flaws in Cup is its shallow characterization. Nidhin Babu is presented as a typical underdog, but the film does little to flesh out his personality beyond this archetype. His relationships, particularly with his best friend Bineesh (Karthik Vishnu) and love interest Anna (Riya Shibu), lack emotional resonance. Instead of exploring these connections deeply, the film offers surface-level interactions that feel more like plot devices than genuine relationships.

Even the introduction of Sandhya (Namitha Pramod), an international badminton player turned coach, feels forced. Her character is meant to serve as Nidhin’s mentor, but her role is underdeveloped, and her dialogue delivery is stiff. At no point does the viewer feel the powerful bond or the emotional mentorship that is so essential in sports dramas.

Cliche Overload: A Story We’ve Seen Too Many Times

From start to finish, Cup relies heavily on overused sports drama clichés. We have the protagonist from a humble background, an antagonist in the form of a petty referee, and a climactic final match that plays out exactly as one would expect. However, what’s most disappointing is the film’s lack of any innovative twists or fresh takes on these well-worn elements.

Take the rivalry between Nidhin and the referee, for instance. It stems from a minor road rage incident and feels almost laughably trivial. Instead of presenting a substantial antagonist that could elevate the stakes, the film opts for these low-hanging conflicts that fail to engage or excite the audience.

Even the badminton matches themselves, which should be the heart of a sports film, are filmed with minimal effort. There’s no tension, no pulse-pounding moments, and certainly no excitement. The matches lack the dramatic flair or strategic depth that would make viewers feel invested in Nidhin’s journey to win the cup.

Dialogue and Writing: A Major Letdown

The screenplay, co-written by Akhilesh Latharaj and Denson Durom, is another major weakness of the film. Dialogue, instead of being sharp and insightful, often feels clunky and out of place. Characters speak in lines that are more suited for a play-by-numbers script than a gripping sports drama.

For instance, Nidhin’s father, Babu (Guru Somasundaram), delivers a half-hearted speech about his son’s aspirations, which falls flat due to poor dubbing and stilted writing. Even the pivotal motivational moments in the film, such as Sandhya’s pep talks, lack the emotional punch needed to inspire both Nidhin and the audience.

In a particularly cringe-worthy moment, a character mistakes Sania Mirza for a badminton player, a joke that not only feels dated but also seems unnecessary. These missteps in writing contribute to a film that never quite finds its footing, despite having all the ingredients for a compelling sports drama.

Performances: A Mixed Bag

Mathew Thomas, who plays the lead role of Nidhin, does his best with the material given to him. His earnest portrayal of a young, aspiring athlete occasionally shines through, but he is ultimately let down by the weak script. Thomas has the potential to deliver a standout performance, but Cup doesn’t allow him to fully showcase his talent.

Basil Joseph, known for his comedic roles in previous films, takes on a more serious character in Cup as Bineesh’s older brother, Raneesh. While he handles the role competently, his character is given little to do beyond offering occasional words of encouragement. Namitha Pramod, in her role as the coach, fails to make much of an impact, largely due to poor dialogue and underdeveloped characterization.

Guru Somasundaram’s portrayal of Babu, Nidhin’s father, is also hampered by inconsistent dubbing, making it difficult for viewers to connect with his character. Thushara Pillai, playing Nidhin’s mother, offers one of the few commendable performances in the film, but she too is given limited screen time and a weakly written role.

The Lack of Conflict: Where’s the Drama?

One of the essential elements of any sports drama is conflict. Whether it’s internal (the hero’s self-doubt or personal struggles) or external (the competition, societal pressures, or an antagonistic figure), conflict drives the story forward and gives the audience something to root for. In Cup, however, the conflicts feel trivial or forced. The enmity between Nidhin and the referee doesn’t carry enough weight to be a driving force in the plot, and the challenges he faces including his fallout with his friend Anna seem more like afterthoughts than real barriers to his success.

Conclusion: An Opportunity Missed

In a genre that thrives on emotion, tension, and the thrill of victory, Cup misses the mark by failing to deliver any of these crucial elements. The film feels like a collection of clichés strung together without any real heart or innovation. While there are moments where the potential for a great sports drama peeks through, these instances are too few and far between to save the movie from its predictable and lacklustre execution.

At its core, Cup suffers from poor writing, uninspired direction, and underdeveloped characters. It could have been a compelling tale of an underdog rising against the odds, but instead, it ends up being a forgettable film that doesn’t do justice to the sports drama genre. If you’re looking for an exhilarating, heart-pounding sports movie, you’ll have to look elsewhere Cup simply doesn’t deliver.