Theri

My review: Theri

In my view Atlee's debut movie "Raja Rani" was overhyped. It didn't have anything new in it in terms of storyline but somehow managed to salvage it by his treatment. The same holds true for his latest venture "Theri", starring Vijay. If not for Vijay, this movie would have fallen flat. If "Raja Rani" was heavily inspired by various movies that dealt with love failure and marital problems, "Theri"is heavily inspired by many cop movies that have graced Tamil cinema. 

The storyline is banal, a routine revenge drama where both the protagonist and antagonist suffer collateral damages. Screenplay is tailored to the need to cater to the mass masala friendly audience. In spite of all this what makes this movie work is only one single person, Vijay. His awesome charisma, screen presence and acting masks all the inadequacies and keeps the audience going. He is terrific in whatever he does in this movie. Just the manner in which he carries himself be it as a timid father or a dynamic police officer or a charming lover/husband, Vijay is just outstanding and if the movie garners good reviews and success then it should be wholly due to him.

Since the movie is a one man show, almost rest of the acting crew just gets relegated to the background. Among them Rajendran and Nainika scores. G.V.Prakashkumar's music is good, both songs and background score. "Chella kutti" and "Jithu jilladi" are my picks. George's cienmatography is outstanding, giving the movie a very rich look.

On the whole, "Theri" is amalgamation of scenes already done by Rajnikanth, Vijaykanth, Ajithkumar, Surya, and many other actors but when Vijay does it, it is just 'theri'fic.

Bottomline:One man's "Theri"fic show

3.5/5

Kali

My review: Kali

Sameer Thahir's, Rajesh Gopinandan written, Dulquer Salman and Sai Pallavi starrer "Kali" is a well made thriller. It deals with how short temperedness can create havoc in the lives of most unassuming of people. Writing is neat, especially the first half of the movie up till the mid second half until the movie gets a cinematic push towards the end. 

The first half of the movie is relatable to anyone who has adult ADHD and knows someone who has it. It is a very educated portrayal of a person with a person with impulsivity and minimal frustration tolerance, both by the writer-director team as well as by the actor (Dulquer Salman) enacting it. The problems such a person has and the coping means of the partner are well crafted. Even the intermission part till the separation of the lead pair the movie moves very naturally that you does get taken aback by the sudden change in the movie's sensibilities thereon. The movie motors on in a full blown cinematic mode from that point which kind of waters down the overall impact of the movie. What could have been a very good naturalistic thriller becomes a mass masala thriller. 

Dulquer Salman is terrific in the role of short tempered Sidarth who gets seething with rage at the drop of a hat. The gamut of emotions he goes through in the second half is superlatively portrayed by him. It is a perfect follow up for Sai Pallavi after that ethereal "Malar". Movie gives equal scope for her as that of the male protagonist and she has lapped it up with elan. The support cast is okay with the antagonists being portrayed in a carboradish manner with cinematic idiosyncrasies. 

Gopi Sunder is just awesome with his musical score. Technically the movie is top notch. On the whole, "Kali" is a neat thriller that could have been a bit better if the screenplay of the late second half complemented the rest.

Bottomline: Good, could have been better. 

3/5