Raja Rani

My review: Raja Rani

When you watch "Raja Rani" things that go through your mind are this one is the most weakest of all the movies directed by an young debutante this year. It is blatantly unoriginal, not even a single scene which will not give you a feeling of having watched it before. Right from the first scene which is borrowed from that legendary television series "Friends" (the famous Ross' slip-of-the-tongue moment in the altar during his marriage with Emily ) till the end with the beaten to bushes airport hero-heroine reunion, movie has nothing much to boast of in terms of novelty in writing or story. They could very well named the movie "deja vu" for that is the predominant feeling one goes through while watching this movie.

"Raja Rani" is not only unoriginal, it is disturbingly inconsistent. A wonderfully written (rather inspired) and executed sequences is followed by a plain ridiculous and juvenile sequence. It happens not once or twice but almost everytime. It is not surprising that almost all these juvenile sequences has to do with comedy which has found recourse mostly to racist, misogynist or physical themes. Atlee manages to execute the emotional sequences so well that there are many sequences that will move one to tears. But the promise he shows in those sequences evaporates quickly in the so-called comical ones like those involving Nazriya's boss or her office colleague for example. 

Story is a straight lift from "Mouna Raagam". Jai's characterization is almost the same as in "Engeyum Eppodhum" only this time it is not as subtle or as seamless as in the former. Here it is very much contrived and artificial. Same goes to Nayanthara's characterization which is an amalgamation of what Tamil cinema heroines have been doing for many years, especially someone in a forced marriage. Last such character that was well executed was Parvathy Menon's in Kannada flick "Milana" couple of years back. Sathyan and Shanthanam has been doing these kind of characters since time immemorial. Only Nazriya's role has semblance of novelty to it but even it's culmination is contrived. Even the small kids in the crowd will guess what will happen when a happy smiling lady crosses the road with ice-creams in her hand. 

In spite of all the knowledge and loads of information available at the tap of your fingertip it is plain irritating to see even these knowledgeable young kids are making movies in which the cure for epilepsy is still a key bunch. We are in 2013 for god's sake, not 1970's. Grown up guys, a simple research on the net could have been useful in this regard rather then such lazy and lousy thinking. 

Except Arya, everyone else have done their parts well. It is astonishing that even after all these years he has not learnt how to emote on screen. He is mostly monotonous with plain expressions. If anyone is not able to learn the tricks of the trade even after working with Bala, he never will. Jai is good in his part, like I said earlier a continuation from where he left off in "Engeyum Eppodhum". His voice modulation has improved leaps and bounds from his "Vamanan" days. 

Nayanthara has lots of scope to perform and she has utilized the opportunity well. She is too good in all those intense scenes. Nazriya Nazim comes across as a pleasant breeze on a sunny afternoon. She is cute and at the same time effortless and casual in her performance too. Some of Shanthanam's one-liners are laugh-worthy but most of them are tiring and irritating. Sathyan does his usual hammy stuff. Sathyaraj has a dignified and understated performance.

G.V.Prakashkumar's songs are already huge hit among the youngsters. "Hey baby" and "Oda oda" are youthful bubbly numbers while "Chillena" is good melody. But the best song in the album "Angnyaade" is not there in the movie or did I miss it. Background score is mixed bag again from G.V. At some places it is jarring and hurting to the ears. 

The movie marks the debut of one of the most promising cinematographer in recent times George C. Williams. His frames are too good. He has ensured that the youthful appeal is maintained throughout by  his colorful frames.     

Atlee shows some promise especially in the emotional sequences and romantics ones. But consistency and originality is what that is lacking which he needs to work on. Otherwise it is a decent debut and a decent movie that people who were in love, who are in love and who will be in love would lap it up. 

Bottomline: Mishmash of all the romantic movies of the yore. 

2.5/5