Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (555)

My review: Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (555)

Sasi is one of those old school directors who doesn't believe in extravagance either in his movie launch or audio launch nor does he indulge in cut-throat promotions. Also if you have a look at his movies he has always worked with not so big stars while almost always introduced new technicians. Except "Roja Kootam" in all his movies he has introduced Music directors. "Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu" is just his 5th movie in his career spanning 15 years which is very slow rate by any standards but such is his works so far that each of his previous movies have rich content, each way different from one another. 

Such a classy maker Sasi is back with "Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu" 5 years after his last release critically acclaimed "Poo". This time he has tried his hand on action-thriller. Movie boasts of numerous twists and turns which keep the audience hooked to the screen throughout except for some instances which is mainly the unimpressive love-track between the lead pair. Movies with such numerous twists and turns must have a central knot which should be strong, if not shocking. But here that main knot is very ordinary, if not laughable. When that knot was revealed one can notice people breaking into laughter in the auditorium. Due to that weak knot that ought to have made the movie's impact stronger, 555 ends up just short of being a perfect thriller that would have scorched the screen.

Nonetheless with an astute screenplay Sasi manages to keep the viewers in tenterhook. Though no where near his previous creations in term of quality of the content and ease of making, still Sasi comes out unscathed in the end with a movie which promises a twist every 5 minutes. Except for the romantic track which is childish and below average rest of the movie is good. Makers themselves take a dig at it when Shanthanam says about the heroine that I thought she is Genilia but she is more like Anjali paapa.  

Bharath has put in his sweat and blood for this movie. His hard work shows on screen. He is present in almost every frame of the movie and he has grabbed this opportunity with both hands. He is brilliant except in couple of instances where he goes overboard trying to enact helplessness bordering on psychotic. Movie has two heroines with well written roles for both of them but both Mirthika and  Erika Fernandes are short in acting skills, hence have wasted the opportunity. Erika is marginally better than Mirthika in acting department. She reminds one of Ileana with her svelte figure and looks. Mirthika is fresh looking and an instant head turner. If only she hones her acting skills she might become really big in Tamil cinema. 

Shanthanam has about half a dozen lines of which only a couple makes the audience laugh. This time around he has more serious scenes to do and is more of a supporting actor rather than a comedian. The villain gang and the main villain, Sudish Berry however are routine Tamil cinema caricatures.

Simon makes debut as the music director. "Vizhiyile Vizhiyile" is a wonderful melody picturized in an awesome manner. Editor Subarak has done one of the best work for a song in recent times with brilliant job from the cinematographer Saravanan Abhimanyu. Hats off to Sasi for conceiving such an interesting picturization for this song. "Mudhal malai kaalam" and "Kadhal intha kadhal" are also very good melody numbers. Simon has done well with his background score also. 

Action choreography is excellent. Especially the gun fight between Bharath and  Sudish Berry in the end is brilliantly choreographed and enacted. Technically too the movie is of good standards.

"Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu" may be the weakest of Sasi's movies so far but still it is way better than bevy of recent movies that graced the theaters in the name of commercial cinema. For Bharath it has come as a lifeline and might salvage his career which was going nowhere with slew of bummers at box-office. Only problem this movie might face is that lack of promotion and sudden release which might result in poor reception which was evidenced by the meager 20% occupancy the movie had when I watched it. Good word of mouth might turn the tides in the box-office but time is running out.

Bottomline: A twist every 5 minute, just falling short of a perfect suspense-thriller. 

3.5/5