My review: Neerparavai
Seenu Ramasamy has taken two topical issues this time, alcohol addiction and the problems faced by the fishermen. It is so pleasing to see a director handling the alcohol addiction problem so scientifically. As far as my knowledge goes this is probably the first time alcohol addiction being talked about as a disease (which really it is) and not merely as a bad habit or a mere source for melodrama. Kudos to the team for the homework done in this respect, thus aiding in spreading awareness.
The first half deals mostly with the alcohol addiction problem in the backdrop of a very dignified and matured romantic track. In the second half Seenu focuses on the problems faced by the fishermen in the form of unscrupulous killing of the fishermen in the Bay of Bengal by the Srilankan Navy. Also the politics of and within the fishermen community, their livelihood, landscape, religion, mores and customs form the beautiful underlay of the story. "Neerparavai" can be recommended to anyone who wants to have an understanding of the social structure and functioning of the fishermen community in Tamilnadu.
Though the movie handles such heavy issues not for an instance that it become preachy and pontifical. The entertainment quotient of the movie is still high even without a forced in comedy track or an item number or action sequences. One is glued to the screen without any moment of dullness or boredom.
Dialogues which are razor sharp and insightful elevate the movie to another level. They are simple and colloquial yet perceptive, intelligent and enlightening. The dialogues for Thambi Ramaiah and Padni are humorous and makes the audience laugh out loud albiet with abundant sharp connotations. Jayamohan and Seenu Ramasamy have jointly written the dialogues.
Many movies with very good paper work fail to evoke any response mainly due the inability to translate it on screen with the same amounts of impact. One of the main reason for it is the acting. In "Neerparavai" the acting is brilliant. Vishnu is his career best role thus far had lived the character of Arullapansamy. As an alcohol addict in the first half and a hard working lover boy who against all odds comes up in life by sheer hard work before destiny plays spoilsport, Vishnu comes across as a talented actor from whom we can expect many such memorable roles in the future. Sunaina is just brilliant. Along with Anjali, Sunaina is the most talented actress that Tamil Cinema can fell proud of currently. It is a pity that she has not got her due so far and she must henceforth choose her movies cleverly. Else we would miss a gifted actress.
The support cast is filled by powerful lineup of talented people led by Nanditha Das, Saranya Ponvannan, Samuthirakani, Thambi Ramaiah, Pandi, Vadivukarasi, Azhagamperumal, Anupama Kumar and "Poo" Ram. Saranya as the protagonist's mother makes her role a memorable one once again with her effortless acting. She keeps the audience in good humor throughout. She has become one of the best supporting actresses in the country may be counterpart of Prakash Raj among females. Another person who stays in our mind long after the movie is over is "Poo" Ram. Seenu has touched upon the dynamics of mother-son and father-son relationship very well.
"Para paravenna paravai" (all the three versions), "Mennuku " and "Devan magale" are very good melodious numbers by N.R.Raghunanthan with astounding lyrics by Vairamuthu. However background score could have been better.
Balasubramaniem is the cinematographer. He has captured the various colours and hues of the sea in accordance to the mood of the story which is a novel concept he has employed. Technically the movie is good.
On the whole, "Neerparavai" is one of the best movies this year not only in Tamil but in India as a whole.This year again few National awards are on the cards for this talented team.
Bottomline: Best Tamil movie of the year
4/5
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