Ayan & Credibility ?

I usually rely on 2 websites (Rediff & Sify) for Movie Related Info. Given that both are not exclusively filmi, and more of all-in-one websites gives them credibility in my view. But a recent incident forced me to re-evaluate this mindset. 

When Surya's latest Ayan was released recently, both websites gave glowing reviews and high ratings to the movie.

But most of my friends who saw the movie didn't like it, and said it was below par. So I decided to check it out myself. 

I rarely go to moviehouses, unless its something by Aamir or Mani. Come to think of it, the last two movies I saw in cinema halls were Ghajini & Dev D.

But this weekend I had ample time on my hands, so I decided to give it a go.

Director K V Anand had delivered a critically acclaimed hit with his first outing "Kana Kandein" which also launched Prithviraj successfully in Kollywood. In addition he has excellent credentials as a Cinematographer. Surya had recently delivered a stupendous performance in Varanam Aayiram, and has steadily established himself as the most experimental and consistent performer of the younger lot in Tamil films. In addition the music by Harris Jairaj too was topping the charts well before the release. So naturally expectations were high.

By now most of you would have seen the movie, so I'll not bore you with a summary of the plot. That apart, here are my impressions.

The story, though run of the mill, excels in being well written, tight and smoothly flowing. All characters are well etched, and no time is wasted.

Surya, looks great and is charm personified, and carries off his role with panache'. He seems to get better with age (34 soon) unlike me, who is just three days older than him. 

Prabhu as the gangleader delivers an understated performance which we would like to see more in Tamil Films.

Tamanna despite being the most unbeleivable character in the film, puts up a good performance.

Miniscreen star Akashdeep, is your archetypal Hindi speaking villain which has been done to death in southern movies.

Despite being touted as an action entertainer, there are only three action sequences in the film. The first is a racy parkour (free running) inspired chase sequence in Tanzania which reminds us of the similar chase in Casino Royale.

Thats the problem with the film. Despite being engaging, it seems derivative, with recall of other movies. The Romantic sequences and the songs have a Ghajini hangover, which though is not a bad thing by itself. Maybe its Surya - Harris combo thats responsible. However the picturisation of the Nenje Nenje song is too close to that of Guzarish from Ghajini for comfort. Its not just the locale, but the camera angles, the costumes et al.

Which brings us to the high point of the film, the performance by Ponvannan. Its a break through performance, assuring him a career in Tamil Mainstream movies of the future. Hope he doesn't degenerate into Vadivelu territory.

All in all, and engaging movie, worth the money but let down by a slapstick ending that plays to the front benchers, but leaves a bad taste in mouths of the even slightly sophisticated. Hope this is a one off compromise from Anand, and doesnt repeat it in the future.

So, do I rely on the aforementioned sites ? With a pinch of salt, as with all other things in life.... (But Damn it, With hypertension, I'm supposed to avoid salt ! )

P.S Reportedly, Ayan has made it to the all time TOP 3 Collections in Tamil Movie History, after Sivaji & Dasavatharam. So a little compromise here or there doesnt hurt, right ?

Misplaced Priorities

On hindsight Kannathil Muthamittaal stands out as one with the most complex and conflicting personal issues of Mani Rathnam films.

A mother who places the interests of her cause to the extent of abandoning her newborn daughter.
A lover who places his ideals ahead of his love.
A daughter who abandons her adopted family in search of her birth parents who had abandoned her at birth.
An idealist who forsakes his safety in lieu of his charges.

And the character that stands out the most is that of Simran's.

The teenage girl who silently yearns for her idealistic neighbour (Madhavan).
Who has her advances rebuffed.
Till the day he proposes, not to be his life partner, but rather to be a mother to his adopted daughter.
She accepts the offer out of her love for him.
Raises the daughter as her own alongwith her own offspring.

Till the day the daughter realizes the truth, forsakes her foster mother in search of her birth mother.

She continues to support her daughter's efforts despite umpteen setbacks and rebuttals.

Only to be rewarded by a consolatory peck on the cheek (A laboured and unconvincing one at that) before the credits roll.

Giving some thought makes one wonder whether such a character would exist in real life.

Highly unlikely.

But a great character and performance.

Aathichudi !

One of the catchiest songs I've heard lately...

We have ignored composer Vijay Anthony for too long. Having come up with above average compositions for about 6 movies in as many years, he shot into prominence with 2008's blockbuster "Kathalil Vizhunthein". Other than the mass pleaser "Nakkumukka" the movie boasted of gems like "Solladi endran idhayam", "Thozhiya en kaathaliya" and "Un thalaimudi kooda". These add to the small, but growing repertoire of excellent compositions such as "Nenjangoottil" (Dishyum), "Nee Kavidhai" (Naan Avanillai) & Sukran.

Now add one more to the list. You may or may not like it, but won't be able to ignore it for sure...

"Aathichudi"

from Taxi No. 4777 *ing Pasupathi & Ajmal

a remake of the Hindi hit Taxi No. 9211 *ing John Abraham & Nana Patekar;

which in turn was based on Changing Lanes *ing Ben Affleck & Samuel L Jackson.

Sung by VA himself, (with Dinesh Kanakaratnam), the song is highly energetic and has been the surprise hit of the year, topping charts despite the movies' so-so performance at the BO. The song blends a mid tempo "Kuthu Beat" with a killer Thumping Bass Break and an infectious Chorus line. The unintelligible lyrics never take themselves seriously, with unflattering digs galore within the song itself. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWvBNpygi6A

The song is more catchy and attention worthy than Nakkumukka. But while the former boasted of equally energetic (& eccentric) choreography, this one falls woefully short on that front. Not starring the lead (Ajmal should've been the obvious choice, isnt it ?) the song stars a some time actor turned choreographer. In contrast to the Kuthu background of the song, the picturisation is on urban youth with dressed up old ladies in ghastly eye shades for company. Even cameos by the singers seem contrived and labored.

Tamil moviedom is coming up with new talent in music directors more often despite the the holy trinity of Rahman, Yuvan & Harris. But none of the new crop seem to have the staying power. Mani Sharma (Pokkiri), Joshua Sridhar (Kathal), James Vasanth (Subramanyapuram), Sundar C Babu (Anjaathey) all showed promise, but little progress and even the talented GV Prakash Kumar too seems to have run out of steam. VA has already proved that he is tenacious enough to stick on. Plus he has an interesting voice...