4 years follows the story of Gayathri and Vishal on the verge of a breakup, reliving their days of togetherness on the final day of college. The story has the required warmth to it but it also did remind of the spectacular ‘Before Sunrise’ trilogy with the prime focus in the story being on the two protagonists. The screenplay standing at 2 hours could have maybe been cut down by 5 to 10 minutes but the narrative does make for some beautifully woven moments, some of which are relatable too.

The drama does open on an uneven note wherein we do not have a background of how the two protagonists met and fell in love. All we are showcased is the awkwardness between the two protagonists right at the very beginning. This approach did not quite work for me at the very beginning because the two characters did have a baggage together. Unlike in Before Sunrise where the two principal characters meet as strangers only to strike a conversation, thus allowing the audience to be a part of the journey, the drama was drastically different here resulting in unevenness in it. This is not to say that the drama is trash, it does have its heart in the right place and the mood of the drama is quite well established. This is strictly from a comparative point of view wherein a song could have quickly summed up their relationship to the point where they find themselves in.

The narrative structure here is a musical and I quite enjoyed this structure. The songs are tactfully integrated in the narrative, each highlighting a particular emotion. The proceedings are relatable and heartbreaking at the same time. How often have we seen in love that things have ended yet we tend to hold on to that last strand in hope that things will get to be better. The sentiments here are exactly that but with a dash of nostalgia. The last day of college is a perfect setup for a quiet little trip down memory lane for the protagonists and viewers. Yet, there are many moments that formulate this beautifully heartbreaking drama.

The interesting part of the drama is the characterization of the protagonists along with their character dynamics. The drama is a slow burn which may also make people impatient but if you are willing to invest in the characters then there are rewards to be had! The two diabolically opposite natured individuals fighting their own demons to spend a little more time with one another is a fascinating concept in its self. While moments in the uneven first half are scarce, the second half does have an abundance of them. With a small change in the setup leading to some heartfelt conversations, I was able to connect with the characters better through the second half.

The final act here is heartbreaking yet hopeful and that is when the title of the film, 4 Years becomes clearer and contrary to what you were expecting all along. Real time dramas(or a single day dramas) are difficult to stage considering the flickering focus of the viewers, however this was really staged well and something that did end with a lot of hope! Will there be a sequel? We will know in 4 years! Do not go in expecting a Before Sunrise, instead treat this like an individual film and you won’t be disappointed! In other words, the screenplay is predictable(as in you know where it is headed and how it would end) but it formulates for several heartfelt moments in the screenplay!