Sunday, August 3, 2014

Jigarthanda

My review: Jigarthanda


Karthik Subburaj has already created a sensation with his debut movie "Pizza" with his unique screenplay and novel approach to its making. Riding on truck load of expectation arrives his second feature film "Jigarthanda" after a delay of a week. With this he reaffirms the fact that "Pizza" is not a flash in the pan endeavor and he is here to stay for a very long haul. He seems to be a  master in pulling the rug from under your feet going by his two movies so far. Unpredictability, novelty and euphoria which goes along with it seems to be the USP of his writing. "Jigarthanda" is yet another fine example of what these exciting line up of young filmmakers are capable of.

When one initially saw the promos of the movie, one can't but help lament, "Oh no! not another gangster story !". We have seen it all in the past decade or so which has been dotted with gangster movies of all types and variations. Yet it needs guts on the part of Karthik to take up a gangster subject and still make the audience go gaga all over it. The unpredictability of the screenplay is once again in the forefront, main reason for the movie to click with the audience. Like none of us would have anticipated how different can a horror movie be made in "Pizza", this time around too it is practically impossible to have anticipated such a new dimension of a gangster flick (though a musical is a bit little farfetched).

Karthik somehow manages to keep his screenplay razor sharp and swift not allowing the viewers to think about the logic and reasoning. Even before your cognition could take over the proceeding the next one starts which you end up savouring than devouring it. Though the first half is part humorous and part thriller, like he has shown that he is not a fan of sticking on to a genre and have penchant for cross-crossing between the genres, movie turns full-blown comedy riot in the second half. Though along with it the seriousness of the proceeding get watered down and movie fails to create any awe in the second half.



Simha is the power-packed performer of the movie, overshadowing everyone else in the cast, including Siddarth. Waiting all along in the fringes it is time an actor as talented as he is, getting all the limelight. He exudes mastery over the craft in a role which is part mysterious, part evil and part gullible. Siddarth fits in as a perfect foil playing the second fiddle for Simha, but he is good in his part. Lakshmi Menon has nothing much to do in a miniscule role. Karunakaran seems to be in terrific form these days. After a gala time in "Yamirukka Bayamey", he enthralls the audience once again with his unique face and expression (or the lack of it) and witty dialogue delivery. Vijay Sethupathi, whose presence has been kept under wrap all these days surprises with a brief cameo.

Santhosh Narayanan is fast becoming a master musician and his proficiency is evident in both songs as well as the background score. In this movie, more than his songs, he is terrific in his background score. Songs too are not the routine stuff, they too cut across the genres and patterns.

Movie is technically brilliant. Gavemic U Ary is the cinematographer who has done brilliant job with his lighting and shots. Movie gives you a feel of watching an international movie as far as the making and technical side is concerned.

On the whole, though "Jigarthanda" has terrific screenplay and making but somehow I feel that it is couple of notches below "Pizza"missing its wow factor and goosebumps.

Bottomline: Cools your heart indeed.

3.5/5


No comments: