Onayum Aatukuttiyum

My review: Onayum Aatukuttiyum

After that misadventure called "Mugamoodi", auteur Mysskin is back with a bang. His latest movie "Onayum Aatukuttiyum" (OA) is yet another testimony to the fact that Mysskin is one Tamil director who can be rightly called an auteur. All his movies (even his wannabe commercial masala) bear a strong personal style which reflects his creative vision. His influence gets reflected not only in his making style, shot composition, acting style of his cast, musical scores, etc. 

Without any disrespect to the great man Ilayaraja, OA's background score has Mysskin movie stamp than Ilayaraja's which once again reiterates the creative control this auteur has on his films. I am a huge fan of Ilayaraja, especially his background scores, but this is may be the first instance that I saw a director's influence in his music. I may be musically ignorant or it might be a naive statement but whether it is Sunder C.Babu or K or Ilayaraja (with exception of "Nandhala" where Ilayaraja stood out inspite of Mysskin's influence ) the background score in Mysskin's movie sounds similar which elevates even the most mundane of scenes beautifully. 

As said earlier Mysskin's making style, shot composition, his signature low angle shots, static camera shots are there in OA too. But here it gels wonderfully well with the narrative unlike "Yudham Sei" where at certain places it looked forced. His movies also have unique colour tones like green tinge of "Anjathey" or bluish tinge of "Nandala". In OA it is reddish which is apt for the theme of the movie. 

At present there are very few makers who are well informed and well researched on various topics like Mysskin. When a promising youngster like Atlee still shows key bunch as a remedy for fits, Mysskin surprises with his medical knowledge. The terms used, techniques and whole enactment of the surgery episode deserves credit. His intelligence and knowledge is not only restricted to that sequence but also to the working style of police department as well as the gangsters and many more other areas. Also he seem to be a keen observant of people around him, not only regular ones but also the marginalized people like eunuchs, homeless mentally ills, elderly securities, to quote a few who all have significant parts to play in the movie.   

Movie has lots of sequences which would make the viewer proud. The screenplay is like a pack of cards stacked in a puzzle such that when one end is pushed it seamlessly make a wonderful pattern as everything is placed perfectly to fall in order. Right from the first shot till the end every sequences, every scene and every shot is placed seamlessly that they move on like the pack of cards making for an awesome viewing. It is so engrossing and wonderful that before you notice it is two and half hours that has elapsed. 

Mysskin as the Wolf has put his sweat, blood and soul into the character. He excels as a daredevil murderer on the run who has discovered his softer side only recently but his gory past still catching up with him. He is just about perfect for the role. Only place where he gets overboard is when he tells the story of a wolf and the goat family to the young kid in the cemetery. Sri as the goat, Chandru is brilliant. He takes of from where he left in "Vazhaakku en", if not better than that. Shaji as the CBCID inspector Lal is outstanding. He is so spontaneous. Except for the idiosyncratic villain gang, every character in the movie is written with utmost care and individuality and the persons who have enacted them have also done their roles with utmost sincerity. Even minuscule of roles stays in your mind like the police constable who instantaneously wishes in the time of crisis, the mentally ill person who cares a damn for money, etc. 

Balaji V Rangha is the cinematographer who has shot the movie in Mysskin's style. He is a worthy addition to a healthy line up of wonderful technicians from the south.

On the whole, "Onayum Aatukuttiyum" is the kind of movie which needs the backing of a big studio, a wider release and publicity and a grand reception from the connoisseurs of Tamil cinema. 

Bottomline: Respect.

4/5