Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam

My review: Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam

"Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam" (VVS) is one of those movies which you would neither like it nor hate it. It is like a train journey where there is spurts of action now that wakes you from a deep slumber in between a prolonged lull. By the end of the journey you get on with your life without reminiscing anything about it. That is the exact feeling that you get after watching this movie. 

Written and directed by Ponram with dialogues by Rajesh.M, VVS is way too long for the starters. Movie could have been better off if it was shorter by  at least half an hour. Hence you kind of get restless in the second half because nothing much happens as far as the story is concerned. Scenes get redundant, repetitive and dialogues get monotonous after a point. There is a sense of detachment that engulfs you as the movie proceeds.

Not that everything is bleak, there are points during which certain sequences kindle your interest or a dialogue or two that makes you laugh. But these points are too few and far in between the larger lull that you experience. Rajesh's dialogues does provide few enjoyable one-liners and intelligent use of words to elicit laughter but on the whole it is not as funny as his previous movies. May be he needs people like Shanthanam to make his writing click with the audience. But Soori is not far behind, he does manage to create some impact but needs a lot of hard-work on his part to break the monotony in which he seems to have stuck-up with.

The romantic sequences offer some solace mainly due to the crackling chemistry between the lead pair Shivakarthikeyan and Sri Divya who look fresh onscreen. The whole track between the two is differently conceived with Sri Divya being used by Shivakarthikeyan to deliver his love-letter for Divya's teacher, Bindhu Madhavi. The interactions between the two starts off casually and in a lighter vein which is maintained throughout even in the supposed to be serious sequences which is refreshing refraining off all the melodrama.

Shivakarthikeyan is getting typecast like Dhanush was once playing the same wastrel kind of role in every other movie of his. Here too he is an annoyingly good-for-nothing guy who whiles away his time chasing girls and trying to solve petty issues in the village. There is nothing to nitpick with his performance but it would be better if he tries exploring different kind of roles with different backdrops. Sri Divya is yet another refreshing newcomer who has a very pleasant and homely looks. She does her expressions so effortlessly and her emotive skills are well rounded for a newcomer. May be the void left by Anjali can be filled by her.

The role of Sivanandi shouldn't have been much of a challenge to a veteran like Sathyaraj. It is a banal role that has an interesting twist in the end much of which is not that unguessable. Soori does a better job than in the recent "Desingu Raja" but still he also can try out varieties instead of trying to get inspiration from Vadivelu most of the time.

In Iman's music "Oodha color ribbon", "Paarkathey paarkathey" and "Yennada yennada" are goo numbers though this time he misses out on a magical number which finds it place in each of his recent albums. One wonders why should all movies these days have a misogynistic love-failure number. "Why this kolaveri di" has resulted in slew of these mindless numbers that only irritates more than anything else.

Balasubramaniem has captured the rustic landscapes of the south Tamil Nadu villages adeptly with his camera.

On the whole, "Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam" just about manages to scarp its way towards to find a place in between mediocrity and being just about average.

Bottomline:  Strictly routine, nothing special.

2.5/5

Shuddh Desi Romance

My review: Shuddh Desi Romance

Director Maneesh Sharma seems to have caught up with his "Band Baaja Baaraat" mold. Bands, Baajas and Baaraats form the backdrop of his third movie "Shuddh Desi Romance" as does the bathroom and toilets. As the movie happens in Jaipur, every other scene you see the actors savoring various signature delicacies of the region. Maneesh seem to have oral fixation for either his characters are shown munching the street food or each others lips in alternate scenes. And after that they end up in the toilet as expected which plays an important part in the movie. 

"Shuddh Desi Romance" focuses mainly on the commitment phobia that is fast becoming very common among the urban youth of our country. Just a couple of weeks back a Telugu movie "Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha " handled the subject beautifully But here Maneesh seem to have taken the convenient route  and hence as result the movie fails to make the desired impact it ought to have created otherwise if he has threaded with more seriousness. In the end the movie just passes muster ending up as an average fair, almost a comical documentary on the commitment phobia. 

Initially the language, the backdrop, the setting  and the light-hearted feel kindles interest in the viewers. But as the movie progresses into the second half, everything becomes repetitive, monotonous and redundant, hence movie gets a bit boring. In the end, the  makers have opted for a convenient ending which totally goes out of place from the promising start.   

Sushanth Singh Rajput is good as a naive, confused and at times irritating Raghuram, a small town youth in eternal state of dilemma. Parineeti Chopra actually steals the show, overshadowing everyone else with her sparkling screen presence and  performance. Vaani Kapoor is pleasant looking and does her part credibly. Rishi Kapoor gets lots of good one-liners that makes the audience laugh at many places. 

"Gulabi" is an awesome melody that is already ruling the youtube and the music charts. Rest of the songs are usual routine Bollywood fare. Music is by Sachin-Jigar. 

After a slew of impressive line-ups Jaideep Sahni's writing slips a bit this time. Though the movie somehow manages to grab the eyeballs throughout the length of it, one does gets a feeling of missing something in the end. May be this itself might eventually be enough for the movie to click at the box-office, considering some of the most awful movies like "Yeh Jawani hai Deewani" and "Chennai Express" have made it big this year already.

On the whole, "Shuddh Desi Romance" is better then some of the dreadful blockbusters of the year so far but still falls way short of what it promises in the beginning due to a redundant screenplay.

Bottomline: A story of bands, baajas, baaraats and toilets. 

3/5

Memories

My review: Memories

After string of flops, Prithviraj's career turned for the better following his unexpected hit "Ayalum Njanum Thammil", followed by couple of hits "Celluloid" and "Mumbai Police". On the lines of "Mumbai Police", Prithviraj's latest movie "Memories" is also a detective suspense thriller written and directed by Jeethu Joseph who himself is riding on his successful "My Boss", one of the biggest hits in Malayalam last year. The now successful combo have maintained their position with "Memories" too. 

Neatly written and well executed, "Memories" is an engrossing thriller that keeps you guessing throughout the two and half hours you are in front of the big screen. Jeethu has struck a beautiful pace which is neither breakneck nor lackadaisical but the story travels at a pace that is just perfect for this story. As a result you are able to absorb the storyline, try to assimilate the hints and clues and at the same time don't feel that you are left far behind because of the pace at which things happen. As you start to travel along with the characters in the movie you get so lost in the story that you hardly notice the time spent. 

Part of the success should go to the actors who have all put in more than decent performances. Prithviraj leads the way with a dignified portrayal of an alcohol police officer on a long leave after the murder of his wife and daughter at the hands of one of his encounter victim's brother. He shows various shades of his character from a loving husband, father and son to a forlorn, brooding alcoholic to an astute investigator who gets into the case reluctantly after being pushed into it by his mother. He has consolidated his position in the industry with his acting with each of his recent movies that have given ample scope for him to perform.   

It is solely a Prithviraj movie for he is there in almost each and every frame of the movie while rest of the cast have nothing much to do except to provide adequate support. Meghna Raj looks gorgeous in her cute cameo while Mia George has scope to perform. Nedumudi Venu, Vanitha, Vijayaraghavan, Sreejith Ravi, Suresh Krishna, Sreekumar and the rest all have done their parts well.

Anil Johnson's  background score is brilliant aids in supporting the script in eliciting the thrills. Sujith Vasudev's cinematography is world class. It is one of the well shot Malayalam movies in recent times, technically astounding. Major part of the credits should go to Sujith. 

Jeethu Joseph has tried to focus on the story refraining from undue distractions. This has resulted in an engrossing movie that can be savoured by the movie going public. 

On the whole, "Memories" is one of the best detective suspense thriller in recent times on the lines of "Grandmaster" if not better. 

Bottomline: Engrossing and entertaining.

3.5/5   

Kalimannu

My review: Kalimannu

Blessy's "Kalimannu" has been in the news for a long time for all the wrong reasons which might have actually worked in favour of this movie in the end. The curiosity it has kindled in the minds of the movie goers has resulted in the good opening it has got but to sustain it, it should have good content. Whether it has that to sustain is a big question altogether. 

Unlike "Artist" where each and every twist and turn in the movie looked seamless and natural course of action the characters ought to take which resulted in the instant emotional connectivity, in "Kalimannu" it is more of each and every character, their destiny and life course everything seems to be forced in as an after thought once the finale has been conceived. Hence it is difficult to emotionally engage with the characters in the movie, main blame wrests with contrived writing by Blessy. That is nothing to take away from the lofty theme that he has thought off as an eye opener for the larger public about the unexplored possibilities in the medical field of conceiving after the brain death of the male partner with his sperm. 

The movie starts off in a laid back fashion with nothing much happening in the first hour except for the contrived twist that  befalls Biju Menon's character that is the harbinger for the second half to unfold. Second half starts off promisingly with the issue of post-mortem sperm donation throwing up exciting debates, views and counter-views. Though these portions does have a documentary feel to it, it is one of the most engaging set of sequences in the movie. But sadly after the issue fizzles out, so also the rest of the narrative. The story turns into a documentary on child birth and the anti-natal care.    

If the movie works is spite of the contrived plot and writing, it is because the credibility the actors give to their characters. Shwetha Menon has literally lived the character of Meera, a bar dancer turned item-dancer cum budding actress who fights for her right to bear a child with her slain husband's sperms. It is easily one of her career best performance. Kudos to the conviction and courage she has on the medium and her devotion to her profession. Biju Menon lends admirable support while Suhashini is dependable as ever. 

With "Laali laali" already creating a sensation on youtube, M.Jayachandran's music has a refreshing feel to it. Background score is soothing while the songs except for "Laali laali" are okayish. Satheesh Kurup's cinematography is replete with technical finesse which render the visuals with classy and grand feel.

On the whole, "Kalimannu" is watchable once for the performances of the actors which stand out and masks the ineptitude of the writing. 

Bottomline: Celebration of the motherhood, a contrived perspective. 

3/5

Arikil Oraal

My review: Arikil Oraal

"Arikil Oraal" is a well made suspense thriller built on an interesting premise. It is based on a mythological as well as a scientific phenomena of "doppelganger" where a person starts experiencing doubles of living persons. Whether Sunil Ibrahim has alluded to the mythological or the scientific interpretation is for you to see in the big screen but the execution of the same deserves kudos. 

It is a taut thriller which moves at an optimum pace that keeps you engaged for the two hours (107 minutes to be precise) it runs. Though the tag line goes "Its complicated" in actuality movie gets straightforward once the knot is untied in the end. Even up-till that point there is nothing that is complicated. Sunil has made a movie that keeps the suspense and leaves you thrilled though the presentation is forthright and uncomplicated. 

It is one of those movies where the writing with all the substance and juice is translated with aplomb on screen backed by wonderful casting, good performances and brilliant making. Though there are certain instances where the writer would have been better off if he had succeeded in wading off brief cliched moments but they are few and far in between.  On the whole, the movie looks fresh, engaging and entertaining all the same.

Indrajith is brilliant in an understated and restrained portrayal of Siddharth tormented by Nivin Pauly's double. It is praise-worthy all the more because there is ample scope for going over-the-top with histrionics at numerous occasions in the story but he has keeps it subtle. He comes to his own during the final moments of the movie. Nivin is good too with his mysterious characterization getting all the eyeballs throughout the narration. Not only Indrajith, even Nivin, for that matter almost all the characters with exception of Pratap Pothan have done their parts with great deal of restrain. Remya Nambeesan lends a neat support act though she doesn't have much to do. It is refreshing that the movie refrains itself from having a romantic angle in it though it has a female in between two guys in it. 

Gopi Sunder's music and background score is an added strength to the movie. He keeps up with the demands of the suspense and thrills of the narrative. Krish Kymal who has handled the cinematography is the man behind the rich look of the visuals. The making is grand and technically movie is classy.

On the whole, "Arikil Oraal" is a short, neat and taut suspense thriller that is thoroughly engaging and entertaining. 

Bottomline: An uncomplicated suspense thriller 

3.5/5

Ponmalai Pozhudhu

My review: Ponmalai Pozhudhu

It is astonishing how when a movie with a particular theme is released and successful, it is followed by slew of movies on similar themes. Here though it is more of a co-incidence that "Ponmaalai Pozhudhu" is released couple of weeks after "Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer" that deals with almost similar issue albiet from different viewpoints. Bud sadly the honesty and conviction of the latter seems to be a casualty in "Ponmaalai Pozhudhu". Rookie A.C.Durai's inexperience and jitters at wielding the megaphone shows on the end product which lacks the punch and proficiency of a professional. 

Movie is inconsistent at many levels. Story is not focused with many transgressions that dilute the main plot that director wants to present. Screenplay is haggered swaying all over the place with stretches of  inanity that tests your patience. Even the characters and their performances are inconsistent. Heroine's father character is one of the most crude and theatrical characterization in recent times with a loud Aruldoss making it worse. And Kishore's is the other end of the spectrum as the hero's father who is so compliant and understanding that it reeks out artificiality in spite of a dignified and honest effort from him. In fact the scenes involving Kishore and Anupama Kumar as his wife are the one of  the very few instances the movie is bearable with almost having a poetic tinge to it.  

The first half is artificially conceived and presented in a contrived manner. Due to the weak first half one is not able to invest in the characters emotionally and as a result the better second half suffers. Due to the tortuous and contrived screenplay movie doesn't evoke any emotions from the viewers in the end. In fact even half way into the first half one can see the audience becoming restless in their seats. The poorly placed songs confounding the matter further.  

Aadhav Kannadasan makes his debut with this flick but has a long way to go before he can pass muster. However his footwork in the song sequences are quiet good for a new-comer. Gayathrie, one of the few promising young actresses who can confidently dub herself has done a decent job. Kishore and Anupama Kumar are good in their roles as understanding parents of Aadhav while Arul Doss is irritating in an over-the-top theatrical role as Gayathrie's father.

Music is the only redeeming aspect of this movie. In Sathya's music movie boasts of a hit album. "Adikadi mudi" in Hariharan's honey coated voice after a long time is the pick of the album while "Iravugalil" is not far behind. 

On the whole, "Ponmaalai Pozhudhu" tries a "Thulluvatho Ilamai" but it is neither honest enough nor bold enough, as a result destined to fall by the wayside. 

Bottomline: Not a pleasant experience.

1.5/5 

Artist

My review: Artist

Written and directed by Shyamaprasad, Fahad Fazil -Ann Augustine starer "Artist" is one of the best movies that graced south Indian cinemas this year. It is the kind of movie where everything has fallen into their places exactly they ought to be. The story unfolds in such a lucid manner and it remains so for the rest of the time, culminating with a very emotional ending that thugs at your heartstrings. 

Unlike movies where you find scenes are forced into the narrative, characters manipulated with to create the melodrama that is intended to shake the viewers intentionally, in "Artist" each and every  turn that happens, changes that the characters undergo, twists that happen in the lives of the protagonists happen in such a seamless manner that one gets the feeling of being there with them when while their lives go through all those that happens. And hence due to the emotional evocativeness of the narrative the movie elicits the amount of emotional investment from the viewers that at the end one can't but get emotionally afflicted in the end. 

Shyamaprasad deserves all the credits for keeping it simple and straight-forward.  What could have ended up as an over-the-top melodrama fest due to his temperate treatment has evolved into a poetic symphony of myriads of emotions. Many movies that romanticize the relationship of a struggling and disadvantaged protege and angelic woman behind his success had always been a fairy-tale stuff sugar coated to the extent of revulsion. But this is one of those honest take on reality of such a relationship which need not always have a fairy-tale ending. And it does quiet makes sense since a relationship that too a non-committal one with a eccentric almost maniacal artist with ever occurring mood swings and impulsivity and his devout, almost revering girl friend who endures all pain and hardships to ensure that he has a comfortable living so that he can pursue his artistic endeavors is writ with its own pitfalls in the long run. Hence the ending is quiet naturalistic though it gets you emotionally shaken a bit. 

It not that usual in the recent times to have Fahad Fazil in a movie and he being overshadowed by his co-star by a large margin. And one has to applaud the man for it, the conviction he had in the movie and the story that he has readily accepted to do a role that is a second fiddle to the lead actress. Fahad has delivered his role with such conviction that he readily evokes anger on his character from the viewers. His mood swings, his unapologetic selfishness, the misery he undergoes soon after realizing the handicap that has befallen on him and his yearning for redemption from that are all portrayed with gusto by the leading young actor of Malayalam industry. 

But the movie belongs to Ann Augustine. She is the heart and soul of this movie. Though titled "Artist" her role is the central cog around which rest of the characters and the story unfolds. She is damn brilliant as Gayatri who stands by his partner ( live-in relationship) all through the struggle that he undergoes in search f his artistic masterpiece while all along throwing away her academics, family, friends and career. She earns all the viewers sympathy by the cruel play of fate that befalls on her in the end. It is Ann's career best so far. 

Bijipal's music is pleasant and seasons the narrative with a fragrant flavor. Movie is technically brilliant with  the cinematographer Shamdutt Sainuddin leading the way with crystal clear visuals with astute of use of the lighting at points which mandates it.

On the whole, "Artist" is a must watch where a simple story is brilliantly presented complemented by outstanding performances from the lead actors.

Bottomline : An Ann Augustine film with Fahad Fazil in it. 

4/5