Review: Eternally Confused and Eager for Love is relatable in bits and makes for a breezy binge

Netflix joined hands with Tiger Baby and Excel Media for their first joint series - ‘Eternally Confused and Eager for Love’. Starring Vihaan Samat, Rahul Bose, Suchitra Pillai, Jim Sarbh, Ankur Rathee and Dalai, the series is created and directed by Rahul Nair and is a quirky look into the life of Ray, a confused twenty-four year old boy who takes all the wrong turns in the hope of finding love!  

About Ray? Well, he is an awkward young man who is navigating adulthood and the daunting world of romance in the 21st century. He does this with the help of ‘Wiz’, a personification of Ray’s inner voice, who tells us what Ray cannot say out loud. In a quest to understand if he wants sex, love or a relationship, Ray goes through a series of work-life misadventures and indecisions, continually finding himself, ‘Eternally Confused And Eager For Love’.

Having binged over the series right in time before its release, here's what I thought about it.

Performances

Vihaan as Ray puts together a great performances and you enjoy watching him take on this journey. While he does manage to make you feel sorry for him, there are times when you also find the crossroads he's at, relatable (in different ways, for different people of course). He does fit into the character pretty fine and there aren't any two ways about it, even though it was pretty surprising cast, but well, that's where the acting stands out.

Moving on, though not present on the screen, Jim Sarbh's voice adds such quality to this series that it makes you want all voice overs that are as quirky like this, in only and only his voice. He definitely is an important star of the series, and the team has gotten this one so right. Ankur and Dalai as Ray's friends, play their parts well, and it is the perfect setting to display the thoughts and worries that someone in their mid-20s might have when it comes to love and romance and adulthood, in general.

Suchitra and Rahul, who play Vihaan's on-screen parents, are a treat to watch, as usual. Both of them make for a good pairing and also, great casting, as they play their parts with absolute ease.

The Good

This Netflix series could've very easily become all preachy and begin imparting life-lessons, but the fact that it does not, is great. So many out there might find this series relatable to various degrees and it is the little things that make this one a breezy binge watch. (I definitely did watch it in one sitting)

Jim Sarbh's voice will find another mention from me, because I am a total fan and I think there's absolutely more of that that I want. The trajectory of Ray's character is finely done, therefore making the narrative and the writing quite a plus point for the series. How things end, and who Ray ends up with, might seem very questionable to many! (no spoilers!)

The cinematography, and direction are all well done (just the kind we expect from Tiger Baby and Excel), and the fact that the episodes are kept short and well under 30 minutes, only add to the excitement to move to the next.

The Not So Good

Due credits to the writing, and the entire team working on the series, but in parts, you wonder why is it that such a big problem, but well, you know eventually why, because quarter life crisis? There aren't absolute faults in the series, but it does have its moments.

Verdict

Eternally Confused and Eager for Love on Netflix is the kind of raunchy that we could all watch on a long weekend. Though it has its moments where it might falter, it does have all these emotions that many will relate to for they are only so common. With a lot of heart, Jim Sarbh's voice, and some great performances in a pretty setting, this Netflix series is a great weekend binge.

Ratings: ***1/2 (3.5/5)