What does it take to make a movie that attracts the mass as well as the class audience? A great story? A taut screenplay? Brilliant performances? Technical extravaganza? The movie "Paruthi Veeran" could be one where we could explore all these aspects as I am sure that it will be a huge commercial hit that would be patronized by the art lovers also.It is the story of a person called Paruthi Veeran(Karthik) and his love for Muthazhagu(Priya Mani) that forms the crux of the movie. Due to the perennial problem of caste, Muthazhagu's father(Played by Ponnvannan) does not approve of his daughter's love with Paruthi Veeran. Whether Paruthi Veeran & Muthazhagu get married forms the rest of the story. The story also takes a detour to explain the reason for the permanent squabbles between Ponnvannan & paruthi Veeran's uncle Sevvazhai(Saravanan). The flashback that comes in the middle of the movie to explain this is a bit confusing and is probably the weakest link of the movie.
The poorly narrated story is compensated with an extraordinary screenplay that keeps the viewer's attention tied to the happenings on the screen & it is no exaggeration that there is not even a single dull moment in the movie. The emotional scenes intertwined with the hilarious scenes involving Karthik, Saravanan & a villager(Played by Kanja Karuppu) kept me totally engrossed in the movie. The movie slowly picks up pace and roars towards an unexpected climax that made me leave the theater with an impact that would take a few days to wear off.
I would have surely believed if somebody had told me that Karthik is acting in his 50th movie & not in his debut movie. So strong is his performance that no words can do justice to his portrayal of Paruthi Veeran. With a strong probability of me sounding cliched, Karthik has not acted but has lived as Paruthi Veeran. His body language, dialogue delivery and dance are of the highest calibre. Karthik will be a welcome addition to the Tamil tinsel world & is sure to give a tough fight for the likes of Surya & Vikram with his histrionic capabilities.
The surprise package of the movie is Priya Mani. I saw her debut film "Kankallal Kaithu Sei" and was left wondering on why the director Ameer had chosen her for his movie. My skepticism about her acting capabilities have been blown away after seeing her portrayal of the character of Muthazhagu. Be it the stubbornness that she shows when her father beats her for roaming with Paruthi Veeran, the soft & tender love for Paruthi Veeran or the courage even in the midst of adversities etches the Muthazhagu character in the minds of the audience. Do not miss out the scene where she expresses her love to Karthik in the open field.
Yuvan Shankar Raaja comes up with his guns blazing in the background scores. I generally consider it blasphemy to compare the background scores of any music director with that of the "One & Only" Illayaraaja but this is probably one movie where I would make an exception. Yuvan would have made his father proud by his background music and songs. The songs "Ayyayo" and "Ariyatha Vayasu" are bound to be in everyone's lips for sometime.
The camera of Ramji drinks in the rustic setting of the village and brings out exceptionally well the finer nuances of a typical village. The close up shots combined with the long shots depicting bareness add a flavor that needs to be savored. The songs have been picturized neatly and the use of the black & white shots during the flashback brings in the much needed authenticity of the period it depicts.
Last Cut: With the small irritant about the story being a bit tough to follow during the flashbacks notwithstanding, this is a movie that is sure to leave its footmarks in the history of Tamil cinema. A not to be missed movie.
Rating: 8/10
4 comments:
Hmmmm....Seems to be a must watch.
Some points of mine,
(1) Seems you are trying out new from the usual "Headline" System :-D. Good and keep it coming.
(2) It is good to see you not revealing the details of the story.
(3) Very nice coverage of the movie. Attributing all the departments in the movie. Good.
(4) I am slowly realizing the fact that it becomes an ordeal when it comes to addressing all the departments in a movie, hence I am trying to make it more about the experiences in the movie rather than going in each and every detail of it. But this is how it starts and goes towards that direction it seems. So, this would bring some more ideas into your mind. It is not mandatory in all the reviews to address all of the areas. It is good out here for sure, but it will get complicated as we write more.
Overall, very comprising and nice review. Need to watch this, Mozhi and Pachaikili Muthucharam when the DVD releases or when I come to India.
I am not sure what is so great about this movie. First the movie potray as if PV was a warrior type of person. In a simple definition, a warrior is a person who fights because of some reason like war or someone that fight for social injustice or similar things. But in this movie PV character who is a stupid uneducated with no respect of law. So he being a "warrior" does not make sense and it is not difficult because he has nothing to lose if he die - no family, no assets, no attachments etc.
Then suddenly the movie got a twist - now as though it is something to do with caste problem, perhaps because the director is struggling to move the movie to the next lousy one hour.
If not doing any good to the society at least do not make such low level movies. Only low minds will make such movies. The movie is full of vulgar and double meaning dialogues, prostituition attempting to disrespect law abiding and peace loving citizens. Even not suitable for adults.
This movie and movies like Pokkiri has pushed the tamil industry back 5 years.
Viji,
First & foremost, thanks for ur comments. I respect Ur comments and I have put below some points from my side.
The things that I liked about the movie.(In no particular order)
1)The characterizations were pretty good. They looked very normal and nothing extraordinary about them(except for the hero fighting 6-7 people)
2) The camera captured the rustic tones of a village very beautifully.
3) The music was top class.
Also, the director let the story to form in its own pace & did not force it at any point. The caste issue was always something that was brewing & I did not feel that the director introduced it for a 'Twist' purpose.
There were no pretensions about the Hero being a warrior at any point. He was portrayed as he is with no additional gimmicks. Never was he shown as being a warrior or protecting someone. The name probably is a misnomer.
The dialog that Priya Mani says in the climax conveys best what the entire movie is all about. She says " Unn pavam ellam enn thalaiyulla irakki vechuta"
I have not seen Pokiri and so I am not in a position to comment on it. As far as PV is concerned, I felt that it is a positive step for Tamil cinema.
Cheers,
Nagesh
Just watched the movie. I didn't find it all that extraordinary as has been mentioned in several reviews. Sure, the acting is good and there's no bullshit, but it the same story in a different setting.
I found the flashbacks very onfusing.... and the last moments are very, very sad. Kind of depressing even. But overall it is watcheable for once...
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