Yes, there are inconsitencies. Yes, it seems, feels and looks outlandish at times. If you care, watch Anbe Sivam, not Mankatha. It is pure entertainment and pure thala.
A fitting fiftieth for Thala is how I would call it. My friend says Mankatha is Gilli. However you wanna term it, the movie rocks.
Right from the first frame that Ajit enters, to the last it keeps you engaged. There are some dragging portions, thankfully, they do not drag for a long time and are cut short by Venkats Prabu's good grasp on the flow.
Ajit has done a great job as the ageing police in the movie who does not hide his age, even when confronted by the girl friends father. The drinking binges, the hangovers, the cheating on the girl friend, the swearing to never to drink again. All atypical of men and very well narrated. Be it the scene where Ajit saves the imprisoned Vaibhav and then dumping the chettiar or the scene where Ajit and Prem go drinking, or the scene where he scuttles Lakshmi Rai out when Trisha arrives, Ajit rocks. Fights, dialogue delivery all come so naturally. He sure has put in a lot of effort and it really shows.
Premji as the nerd. As usual, evalavo paathuttom, idha pakka mattoma. Noodles mandaya. Makes you smile, not laugh as he used to in Saroja. But then, this is a Thala movie and you do not want someone stealing the thunder from the thala.
Ashwin as Ganesh, the Dharavi policeman. A meaty role for an upcoming star. Ganesh Venkatram of Unnaipol Oruvan must be cross with himself for loosing out on this.
The roles of Vaibhav, Anjali, Aravind Aakash, Lakshmi Rai, Mahat all well thought out and brought in to the narrative at a good time and "ending" them at a good time too.
Action King. As ususal, proves that he is a king of action. Stylish in body language, dressing and attitude.
Thala calling him as action king in a lot of scenes and Arjun calling Ajit as thala at the last, punch lines, but then, not a typical one. Makes the movie bigger than it is.
What the movie achieves in impressing, again, is that how a simple story line can work wonders in the hands of a good director, an ensemble cast and technology.
If I write more, I might spill the beans on the story, which would be a crime against the movie makers and even against the movie goers. Twist and turns are left for us to enjoy on screen and not to read.
Happy watching.
