Thoonga Vanam - A sleeper hit? or a gentle reminder?

Thoonga Vanam - A sleeper hit? or a gentle reminder?

It is indeed very difficult to review a movie such as Thoongavaman, especially when it is made with Kamal Hassan in the lead. Anyone else and the job would be a simple open and shut case, so to say.

The plot is simple, we have CKD, played by Kamal and Mani played by Yugi Sethu chase a couple of drug dealers and in the process Mani kills one of them while CKD is injured by the other. The confiscated drugs are taken to CKD's house giving a clear indication of his true color. The next day CKD's son is kidnapped by the dealer Vittal Rao (Prakash Raj) and in return he wants the confiscated drugs. CKD promises the drugs and take it back to Vittal much against the will of Mani, however, the drugs get lost in the club the transaction takes place and to further complicate 2 more police personnel are also present, Trisha and Kishore. Does CKD succeed in the exchange? Does he outwit the criminals and the police? form the rest of the movie.

All the events take place during one night and is shown in a very interesting manner. No exotic locations. Just one club, CKD's house, a hospital, a police station to name most. But the movie moves along in a gripping fashion. Kudos to the director and screenplay (Kamal, again).

A very close remake of the original, Sleepless Night and the due credit given. 

What makes the movie stand apart is the fact that it is NOT a Kamal movie. The fact that Kamal (in my opinion at least) is moving away from the mass hero image and has started delivering content based movies, makes it even more interesting. Not that Kamal has never done it, the point I am trying to make is, while most of the "older" heroes are still caught in the bigger than real life image that has been created, delivering on content based movies that can equally be a commercial hit and playing his age. I think it is a pointer to most ageing heroes on how they can simply transform to these roles and still keep the fans happy.

Kishore does a good job. His underplayed anger post getting bashed by Kamal and his frustration at the loss is proof enough. 

Trisha's stunt sequences are, what to say, a first for her and in many ways for Tamil heroines. So kudos to her on making it look real rather than an evident body dupe play.

Prakash Raj, I must admit, is getting repetitive. We could have said good job, if it was his first, unfortunately, it is not the case. He has played this bad boy image a zillion times and it is time he focusses on his pluses and play some roles that are not a gangster, please Prakash.

The rest of the cast, come and go. Or we can say come, get kissed, and again, then kiss and then gone. Madhu Shalini, no offence. But you were pretty in your own way.

Director Rajesh M Selva. After having worked alongside Kamal in movies like Visawaroopam, Manmadhan Ambu etc, has definitely evolved as a director. Sometimes when a 3rd person directs a Kamal movie, it feels like Kamal himself directed (Anbe Sivam). But not this one. And it is a direct credit to the director and his ability. Hats off.

A must watch for all crime thriller lovers and most definitely for Kamal fans.

Scion of Ikshvaku - My review

An apt follow through to the Shiva trilogy. Ramayana and Mahabharata have always been retold in many different ways, it would be really interesting to see how Amish treats the subject. The book was a fast read, unlike the Shiva trilogy, since by now we are used to Amish's way of writing. Now, is that a positive or a negative, only the following publications would say. Enjoyed the read but for one fact. While in the Shiva trilogy, the concept of Nagas, for example, was clearly explained, Amish, I believe, takes it for granted that the reader would have already read his earlier trilogy and hence does not dwell deep in to this and other concepts touched upon in the Shiva trilogy. A little more explanation would have made it a better read.

The characterisation of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Bharath and all the other leads are done well. You are instantly drawn towards the enigmatic personality of Ram and are able to empathise with this trials and tribulations right away.

The first part does not reveal too much of the plot to come and hence, in a way, makes us wanting to read the next one. Hope Amish releases that soon.

Good read.

Uttama Villain - My review

UV Class

Uttama Villain, another of Kamal's movie that just might not capture the fancy of b/c centers. Definitely an A center movie.
The way the narrative moves between the film within the film and the actual is to be applauded, the complete credit for which has to go to the screenplay, again by Kamal. He just proves he is a master of the screenplay.

Most of the regular movie goers will fail to capture the intricate way in which the narrative in the period part (the file within) is interlaced with the songs. It is a musical of sorts. And to understand the essence, one must (a) have a better than average understanding of Tamil (b) be attentive, to say the least. While everyone can understand the humor in the scenes, only a few actually laughed/smiled at the lyrics.

A simple story of a successful movie star who wants to set right things before his last days. Do things he has not done. Complete stuff he always wanted to. While at it, also do something that will etch him in people's memories forever.

While in the period part the actor plays the role of a Mritunjaya, one who has won over death, in the fictional part, the actor is actually walking toward certain death. How the two interlace if beautiful. Again screenplay sorcery.

Kamal excels in both. Emotions galore.

True love. Extra marital love. Marriage of convenience. Falling in love with the spouse. Friendship. Respect.Trust. Each has it's space and each plays it's part in making a man whole. And it is very nicely thrown in at nice intervals with each garnering it's spot. And winning.

All the supporting cast has done a superb job. Andrea, Urvashi, Pooja Kumar, Parvathy, Nassar. Jayaram, just for a few scenes, excels as well. The bonding between KB and Kamals is very critical to the movie and comes across strong.

Over all a movie that needs to be enjoyed frame by frame. For each has it's significance and covers every aspect given above (love etc) and more.

Enjoyed. Hope you do too.

OK Kanmani, OK OK- Passion-Compassion, as my beloved says.

While media is abuzz that Mani has touched a subject that is taboo in most of India, live-in, I disagree, as the movie is not about live-in's at all. At no point in the movie does anyone discuss the pro's and con's or is there any lengthy discussion about it, suggestive or otherwise.
What really happens is that 2 people of similar thought process meet, fall in love, live together, understand the bonding of marriage and in the end, get married. What transpires between them has been told in a fashion that is truly Mani in style.

Maniratnam, once again, proves that he is a master of his art. The eloquence with which the movie moves from one segment to another is simply brilliant. You almost miss the transition.

Simple love story. Boy meets girl. Both like each other. Live together. Experience separation. Get married. What makes it interesting are the other 2 characters in the movie. Prakash Raj as Ganapthy uncle and Leela Samson as Bhavani aunty.
In literal terms, the movie is "made" by them, rather than the 2 lead protagonists. The bonding they share and the effect it has on the leads is what the movie is all about. That they teach the young leads what marriage and compassion is, is an understatement. It is a message to the audience at large on the institution of marriage and what companionship really means.
While at one end, it is all about romance, physical relationship and wooing. The other end portrayed by the older couple epitomizes the care, companionship, patience and love that is enduring.

Again, not at all about live in's and more about love in it's truest sense.
 

I - Eye Candy (A Review of Shankar's I)

A movie with no message from Shankar that does not live up to a Robot (Enthriran) or Sivaji. A 3 hour entertainment from start to end. Phenomenal physical effort from Vikram. Awesome locations. Well choreographed songs and stunts. All this make the movie passable.

Single line story of vengeance. But for Shankar's treatment, the movie would have been a box office disaster. The first half of the movie resembles an ad film end to end. Shankar teaches how to make a "commercial" fare. Branding at it's best.

Vikram as the bodybuilder and as the model excels in his body language and his madras tamil is excellent and supplements his role to a large extent. Amy Jackson as Dia has done a good job. 
Ramkumar in his first outing does a neat job. Ojas Rajani as the transgender stylist makes an impression. Suresh Gopi as Dr. Vasudevan does a usual good job.


As for the story a rags to riches story for Lingesan the local gym owner who dreams of a Mr. India title and to that end wins Mr. TamilNadu and adores Dia the model. He makes 4 known enemies as he becomes a reluctant model alongside Dia and makes it big. John, Dia's x partner, Osma the transgender stylist, Ravi the body builder who loses to Lingesan in Mr. Tamilnadu and Indra Kumar, the industrialist. While all these are known, Vasudevan remains the unknown element, or Shankar thinks. The fact that Dr. Vasudevan pines for Dia is a no brainer from the first scene. That could have been avoided by Shankar. How all of them torture Lingesan because he has hurt each in one way or the other. And how Lingesan exacts his vengeance on all of them forms the crux of the story.

Screenplay is awesome. Somewhat lengthy stunt sequence, in the first instance, but otherwise good ones. Songs are well choreographed and picturised. Locations, as said earlier, needs a second mention. Virgin locations from China make for interesting viewing.

Overall, not a message drive Shankar movie like Anniyan, India, Gentleman. More on the lines of Kaadhalan, Sivaji etc. Not a science fiction like Robot. Nevertheless, makes for gripping viewing.

"Cinema" viewers might not accept that this is good movie. But entertainment value is great.