Iyobinte Pusthakam

My review: Iyobinte Pusthakam

Amal Neerad's "Iyobinte Pusthakam" is a visual treat. With the cinematographer and director in Amal Neerad competing with one another it is a field day for the audience to devour a period drama with ample dose of action, suspense and thrills. Aided with a solid script by  Gopan Chidamabaram, Amal has trasnformed it into epic proportions by his characteristic making, both visually and cerebrally. The intelligence of the writer is evident from the seamless confluence of the story with some of the significant historical events that happened during the period between 1900 and 1976, the timeline of the film's story. 

Though movie ambles along at a leisurely pace it does so with purpose. There is hardly any digression from the plot except two unwarranted songs in the second half. The focus with which the story is told keeps your interest glued on the screen. Towards the end the gore gets a bit over done but story of jealousy, deceit, revenge and infidelity warrants it nonetheless. 

Lal is the fulcrum around whom the whole movie travels and he has lived the character of Job aka Iyob with perfection. The various shades of his character as it evolves from a slave to servant to finally becoming a master himself and his eventual decline and demise are wonderfully brought on the screen by the veteran. Fahad Fazal as Iyob's youngest son does a terrific job himself with his understated histrionics in contrast with that of his elder brothers.    

Jayasuriya is a revelation in his role of a conniving businessman with his cool visage and coldblooded smile that leaves you dumbfounded. Padmapriya sizzles in a mysterious role while Isha Sharvani has nothing much to do. Both Chemban Vinod Jose and Jinu Joseph as the two elder evil sons of Iyob are terrific in their roles. Reenu Mathew, Lena, Srijith Ravi and Vinayan along with a long support cast do their parts to perfection. Overall the performance of the actors in the movie is terrific and is one of the prime reason why the movie leaves you with a lasting impression.

Neha S Nair and Yakzan Gary Pereira's musical score and background score complements the narrative vision of the writer and director. As said earlier, Amal's cinematography is one of the biggest pluses for this movie. Movie is technically one of the best ever to have come out of Malayalam film industry. Movie is fertile  with lost of memorable shots aided amply by the lush locales of Munnar and the western ghats. 

On the whole, "Iyobinte Pusthakam" is a well made movie with a clear cut narration aggrandized by terrific making. 

Bottomline:  A visual treat with some cerebral topping. 

3.5/5

Gone Girl

My review: Gone Girl

No one even in their wildest of dreams can come out with such a chilling story of a couple whose marriage is under strain. To come out with a story as brutally chilling as "Gone Girl", you must be one of those who is either twistedly intelligent or intelligently twisted. Wonder how could Gillian Flynn can come out with such a decadent tale of love, hate, revenge and misery with such lyrical undercurrent. David Fincher's screen adaptation of Flynn novel is a spine chilling thriller that entertains married couples more than anyone else, albeit with all its guilty pleasure. 

The movie warrants an inquisitive viewing to piece together the bits into a whole to make sense of  it all. Along the way loads of emotional investment happens unwittingly that may leave you drained in the end   salubriously all the same with the glee of having watched a wonderfully crafted movie. The screenplay never looses its steam, keeps you at the seat's edge all through with its numerous twists and turns. It reaffirms the fact that the twists and turns of a crooked mind is more horrific and adrenaline pumping than the fast and furious metallic actioners.   

Besides Flynn's terrific screenplay and Fincher's brilliant direction, what makes "Gone Girl" what it is is the acting from its lead, Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. Everyone is at awe with the power-packed performance from Pike as a borderline cum dissocial Amy Dunne who goes to the extreme extent possible for revenge. Indeed she has given her career best in the role that has shades that are oblivious to a normal psyche which she has identified and portrayed magnificently.

 But in my opinion it is Ben Affleck's portrayal of awkward Nick Dunne that takes the cake. Without his terrifically understated performance, the impact that Pike was able to make would not have happened. Towards the latter half, when his hidden layers keep unraveling one by one, the gradual transformation his character undergoes that reaches the crescendo in the interview scene and later when he gets reunited with Amy are just tremendous. 

On the whole, "Gone Girl" is a terrific thriller, a sociopathic commentary on the disintegration of the institution of  marriage in the modern times of an anomic society. 

Bottomline:  Must watch and goosebumps guaranteed.  

4/5

Poojai

My review: Poojai

If you have seen all of Hari's movies so far, then you are the only people who can endure this torture thy name, "Poojai". There is not even one scene or a shot that you have not seen so far in his movies. Right from the first frame till the last, novelty and plausibility goes for a toss. Movie follows strictly the template of hero scene, heroine scene, song sequence,villain scene, comedy scene, family scene, action sequence, then again hero scene, heroine scene...go on till the end, with the only variation is in the number of song sequences decreases and the action sequences increases as the movie progresses. And if in the end of it all if you don't get an excruciating headache, then you should get your head scanned to check whether something that is remotely related to what is known as brain is present or not.

Vishal after a brief detour into the sensible territory with his previous couple of movies has again forced himself into the nonsensical territory with "Poojai". Shruthi Hassan has come back to Tamil cinema after poor start to her career armed with the loads of "talent" she has gained by her substantial stint in the Telugu movie industry through her "legendary" performances in the movies like "Balupu" and "Race Gurram". Rest of the caricatures are given life by loads of supporting actors and actresses. A special mention to the comedy track starring Soori, Pandi and Imman Annachi, "Legen...wait for it...dary". In the movie's endeavor at excruciating headache, this "out-of-this-world-intelligent" comedy track has a king's share in it. 

Less said about the music and movie's songs, the better. Yuvan....., so sad. On the whole, the homeostasis of Tamil cinema industry seems to get restored as for every "Goli Soda", and "Thegidi", we have a "Poojai" and "Yaan".   

Bottomline: A terrible film.

1/5

Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe

My review: Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe

Lakshmy Ramakrishnan after her impressive debut "Aarohanam", impresses yet again with her second feature film "Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe" (NVM). Basically a road film, the story happens on a day when the country is stifled with petrol crisis. Movie follows the protagonist Chandru and his encounter with multiple characters on his journey from Trichy to Karaikaal. The effortless ease with which Laskshmy has handled the non-linearity of the screenplay is brilliant. 

The story is simple but the tension that the writer-director so seamlessly able to infuse into the narrative keeps you engrossed. At first you tend to feel exasperated with the number of characters that we are introduced to and the pace with which things unfold. But as the narrative settles down and you get acquainted with the characters the movie gets intriguing. NVM is the kind of movie that warrants active viewing. You have be at your attentive best to piece together the happenings to get a proper sense of what is going on. 

On the down side, with the kind of build up the narrative sets itself with, towards the end the climax unfolds without any modicum of tension whatsoever, make you feel let down. The end twist could have been conceived a bit better but then that is what most mainstream commercial makers are there for. This movie is more about the intelligence of the writer and the viewer. 

Movie has many characters, yet each of them make a mark on their own. Even a passing character, each have their own arc has an impact on the viewer. A single mother who at the first glance deceives you with her appearance and behavior, a somber mobile-game playing cop who suddenly boils over when questioned about his casualness, a callous friend who slips out as soon as someone talks about police are example of how meticulously each and every characters are etched out. Shabeer is good, apt for the role. His understated performance gels well with the narrative while Pia Bajpai does her bit well too. Movie has bevy of actors in its support cast and everyone of them have done their parts well. 

Movie looks technically sound. Vinod Bharathi's cinematography is good, keeps it simple. Medley Blues' background score and the songs blend seamlessly within the narrative. On the whole, NVM is a thoroughly entertaining movie which entails an active viewing and some degree of patience.

Bottomline: A good movie.

3.5/5  

Kaththi

My review: Kaththi

The hit combo of A.R.Murugadoss and Vijay is back with "Kaththi"after their blockbuster outing last time, "Thuppakki". It is a big task to reprise the success that they had couple of Diwalis back but the duo have just managed it, if not bettered it. On the surface what might look like just another commercial mass hero movie is indeed more than that. Movie takes a topical subject that is very relevant what with successive governments competing with each other in wooing the multinational corporation to their states by converting farm lands into special economic zones. The plight of agriculture and farmers have been relegated to back pages of the dailies and don't even feature in the prime time news anymore. In this background A.R.Murugadoss' attempt to bring these burning yet overlooked issues into the realms of mainstream commercial cinema is laudable. 

Movie begins dull, with uninspiring romantic portions and non-existent comical elements. But the heartening part is that Murugadoss does with all this commercial cinema routine in the first half and hour or so and shifts his focus diligently onto the subject in hand after which barring a few transgressions no looking back. The flashback portions are very well executed with some terrific acting from Vijay. The police station scene where he roars in agony advising the villagers to lot give away farming even if he dies is one sparkling example of the histrionic skills of the charismatic star. 

The action sequence involving the coins is yet another example of the directorial acumen of Murugadoss, like the encounter scene in "Thuppakki". Brilliantly executed by the team of director, action choreographer, cinematographer and actors, that. The press meet scene towards the climax is yet another well executed scene. The dialogues which are hard-hitting and razor sharp written by Murugadoss is elevated to a higher level by the power-packed performer in Vijay. In between these memorable scenes there are quiet a few lackadaisical sequences as well. But they get submerged beneath these terrific scenes which evoke overwhelmingly emotional response from the audience. 

Murugadoss has once again reaffirmed that he is one of the best commercial movie makers in the industry who always tries to touch upon socially relevant topics in his movies. Though his inability to weave good romantic portions in his movies barring "Gajini" is quiet stark, when it comes to the commercial masala elements he is second to no one. And he is a terrific dialogue writer too which he reinstates in "Kaththi". 

Vijay is in his elements in the role of Kathiresan, fun filled commercial hero who does all that is expected by his fans. But as Jeevanantham, he is a pleasant surprise. The underplayed emotions, brooding eyes, understated body language and dialogue delivery, he is a blast. Since "Kaththi" is a one-man show that focuses solely on Vijay, others have very little to do. Samantha is more like a set-property except in the song sequences. One wonder whether Neil Nitish Mukesh is needed for that role, any one could have done it. What made him sign for that role is a mystery. Satish has very few lines to mouth and none of them are funny. The support cast largely made of elderly actors acquaints themselves well.   

Anirudh's songs are already chart-toppers but their picturisation leaves a lot to be desired. "Selfie Pulla" in Vijay's voice is the pick but "Yaar petra magano" is astutely used by the director, stays in your mind for long. Anirudh's background score is a mixed bag. Some scenes are heart-thumping, especially when he has used variations of his theme music but at many others it is quiet bland. 

George C.Williams has done a terrific job as the movie's cinematographer. Each and every frame is crstal clear and reeks of high production values. The use of different tone in the flashback scenes which enhances the mostly red colored shirt worn by the protagonist in those scenes help in conveying the underlying communist strains of the subject. That it is just his second movie is an astounding feat.

On the whole, "Kaththi" may not be as focused or as incisive as the director's past masterclass "Ramana", but when you have a superstar with the kind of mass following that cut across class, age, region (and now even states), even this is just about enough to create wonders at box-office.

Bottomline: Mostly sharp with few blunt edges.

3.5/5 

Madras

My review: Madras

Pa.Ranjith's "Madras" after his impressive debut with "Attakathi" reaffirms his potential. There has been numerous movies made with Chennai as the backdrop but rarely one can seen a story on those belonging to the oppressed caste shown with such honesty and conviction as Ranjith has managed with "Madras". The dalit geo-political demographics that is so inherent within the landscapes of the northern parts of the metro has never been so aesthetically portrayed onscreen as far I could remember. What on a superficial viewing could be dismissed as a regular political action movie that happens in Chennai has a terrific underpinning of the lifestyles, culture, mores and psyche of the dalits in general, youth in particular. 

Though Ranjith could have made the movie crisper in the first half and could have had a more plausible and less convenient ending, till "Madras" keeps you glued to the screen all-through. Dialogues are so delightfully earthy which was evident in "Attakathi" as well. Casting is perfect with each and every character after being etched out so neatly are performed excellently too. Everyone of those characters have distinct personality traits that are so very well written. For instance, the character of Johnny is so delightfully fresh, exceedingly well performed by Hari. Anbu is another character that is so real who stands up for the political emancipation of his community who is immensely courageous yet circumspect when he gets to know his life is at stake. Maari is a typical seasoned politician of a smaller party who uses his community people for his own political gain.

Karthi's Kaali is another dimension of the community's educated and well employed youth who after enjoying the fruits of the affirmative action bestowed upon them by the constitution try to dissociate themselves from the community in their endeavor of social mobility. Even their parents at multiple instances hint at him of the same. Movie's female lead Kalaiarasi, well enacted by Catherine Tresa, is a strong headed typical girl from the community who are more independent, more assertive and more courageous than their counterparts in the opposite end of the spectrum. 

Santosh Narayanan's musical score and background score are terrific pillars for the stability of the movie's narrative superstructure.  "Naan nee" is one of the best songs of the year so far, well composed and well rendered. "Aagayam theepidicha" and "Kakitha kappal" are two interestingly sounding numbers. "Madras" will be the anthem of Madras for years to come. Background score is of international standards. Such quality background score back to back after his excellent work in "Jigarthanda" bodes well for the youngster who is fast climbing up the ladder. 

G.Murali's cinematography is excellent in capturing the hitherto unexplored parts of Chennai with gay-abandon. Pa. Ranjith comes across as a writer-director who not merely a story-teller (at which he is excellent) but the one who also gives equal importance to the milieu, culture, mores, customs and lifestyles of the demographic of the settings in which his story happens. That is the most important aspect because its is only socio-cultural setting and its representation that is going to distinguish movies from different parts of the world even if the stories are the same. And if Tamil movies ought to have a distinct identity for themselves these are the ones which are going to aid in that endeavor, not your routine run-of-the-mill stylishly shot commercial potboilers. 

Bottomline: Earthy, real and honest.

4/5

Money Ratham

My review: Money Ratnam

"Money Ratnam" is a typical mass masala entertainer that gets released during a festive season. Written by Anil Narayanan and Ajith C Lokesh, movie is directed by Santhosh Nair. Fahad Fazil is in his finest form delivers yet another entertaining performance in this road movie that keeps the audience in good humor for about two hours. Though the movie gets more and more over the top and logic-less towards the end, audience are treated to a good measure of fun uptil then that one can overlook these frailties that crop up.  

Movie moves at a good pace with the humor having a constant underpinning throughout the narration. There are quiet a few sequences that keeps you laughing out loud and few others which are down right silly. But the pleasantness that the movie exudes make it for a happy viewing. It is not a path-breaking effort by any  means but not a head-breaking one either. 

As mentioned earlier Fahad Fazil is into his elements. With every outing of his he is just growing in his stature as a versatile actor. This movie is a revelation for him to showcase his mastery over comedy which is so effortlessly done. Nivedha Thomas has nothing much to do but with whatever opportunity she has got she acquaints herself well. Aarthi has a nice cameo.

Movie is technically brilliant. Neil D'Cunha's shots are glossy. On the whole, "Money Ratnam" is a one time watch, two hours of sublime entertainment, worth the money. 

Bottomline: Fahad is having fun, we too. 

3/5