Iraivi: Got the message
Rating 4/5
Karthik Subbaraj has given another good one. His direction has streamlined on feminism from a guy's point of view. Three guys steer their life in different ways around three women. Their approach and behaviour towards women and their idealism in their own way is pragmatic. The story is smooth and entertaining. When I heard that the movie is about feminism I expected something on another level. Movies like Aval appadi than, Kalki, English Vinglish, How old are you (36 vayathinile in tamil) scream of feminism. This one sends a very subtle and indirect message to the spectators without antagonizing either gender. I am sure this is one of the very few movies which has not offended either gender.
Malar's (Pooja Devariya) character is a controversial one whereas Ponni's (Anjali) and Yazhini's (Kamalinee Mukherjee) are typical tamil girls'. Malar's character looked like something derived from one of K. Balachandar's female characters. Anjali, who usually takes up strong roles has played her part decently in this movie. She has not over done her role by acting bold or rude. It is her character that added to the spice of the movie. Vijay Sethupathy(Michael) has delivered what is expected of him, nothing less nothing more. There is really nothing more to add on his acting as he has not added anything more to his skills. His role does not demand adept performance. His displaced anger and his blind definition of marriage stirs up the crowd.
Jagan (Bobby Simha) is the feminist who goes around the place stealing theirown work of art to support his brother's movie. Bobby Simha has proved his talent almost in every scene. His style of dialogue delivery is very effective. Jagan's love for Ponni, his decent withdrawal from her when she doesn't choose him and his care for her that leads to his death speaks of his ideology. The wholesome nature of his character is brought to the audience on a silver platter garnished with his mother's silence.
Yazhini's character appears to be very bold and brave initially when she threatens her husband now and then of their divorce whenever he drinks. Her understanding nature and her loving character is very adorable. Kamalinee has deftly done justice to the role. Karunakaran's humour sense is very light like breeze on a busy day. One can take a break to enjoy his comedy whilst watching an otherwise serious movie.
Last but not the least, S.J. Surya steals the show! He might have bored us with his over acting or disgusted us with his insensitive puns in the past but not today. His acting is par excellence and is well appreciated. It is necessary to mention that it is not entirely his talent either. It is the role that facilitated his skills to be brought forth on the stage. His character, Arul, is balanced between male chauvinistic Michael and feminist Jagan. His love for his wife, his passion for movie and his care for his brother is intricately written and well enacted by S.J. Surya. There was pin drop silence in the theater in the climax scene. His last few words on women and men are really to be pondered over. Even there, the story takes a slight unusual path. Arul doesn't directly say that women are great. The level of digressing from the bottom line is tolerable when he calls Yazhini to show what men are capable of. A caring husband that he is, he cannot risk her life by being good to her in the last minute, so he tells her what she can believe. Here again, the screenplay is neatly woven to satiate all kinds of people. This movie does not leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. I love the the way the dialogues are written. Songs are not very appealing though and are out of context with the story.
The last scene where Michael leaves Ponni stranded in the train reminds me of Meera Jasmine in Ayutha Ezhuthu. I am not drawing a comparison here but just a thought out loud. The three women choose their own way of lifestyle in the end. Yazhini chooses to be a homely mother while Ponni chooses the path of freedom as a single mother. Their freedom and liberation from men is marked up on by the rain; one chooses for it and one chooses against it. Feminism really came home in the last scene. Symbolically and with no doubt, very beautifully the message is conveyed. Takes a genius to know one.
Malar's (Pooja Devariya) character is a controversial one whereas Ponni's (Anjali) and Yazhini's (Kamalinee Mukherjee) are typical tamil girls'. Malar's character looked like something derived from one of K. Balachandar's female characters. Anjali, who usually takes up strong roles has played her part decently in this movie. She has not over done her role by acting bold or rude. It is her character that added to the spice of the movie. Vijay Sethupathy(Michael) has delivered what is expected of him, nothing less nothing more. There is really nothing more to add on his acting as he has not added anything more to his skills. His role does not demand adept performance. His displaced anger and his blind definition of marriage stirs up the crowd.
Jagan (Bobby Simha) is the feminist who goes around the place stealing theirown work of art to support his brother's movie. Bobby Simha has proved his talent almost in every scene. His style of dialogue delivery is very effective. Jagan's love for Ponni, his decent withdrawal from her when she doesn't choose him and his care for her that leads to his death speaks of his ideology. The wholesome nature of his character is brought to the audience on a silver platter garnished with his mother's silence.
Yazhini's character appears to be very bold and brave initially when she threatens her husband now and then of their divorce whenever he drinks. Her understanding nature and her loving character is very adorable. Kamalinee has deftly done justice to the role. Karunakaran's humour sense is very light like breeze on a busy day. One can take a break to enjoy his comedy whilst watching an otherwise serious movie.
Last but not the least, S.J. Surya steals the show! He might have bored us with his over acting or disgusted us with his insensitive puns in the past but not today. His acting is par excellence and is well appreciated. It is necessary to mention that it is not entirely his talent either. It is the role that facilitated his skills to be brought forth on the stage. His character, Arul, is balanced between male chauvinistic Michael and feminist Jagan. His love for his wife, his passion for movie and his care for his brother is intricately written and well enacted by S.J. Surya. There was pin drop silence in the theater in the climax scene. His last few words on women and men are really to be pondered over. Even there, the story takes a slight unusual path. Arul doesn't directly say that women are great. The level of digressing from the bottom line is tolerable when he calls Yazhini to show what men are capable of. A caring husband that he is, he cannot risk her life by being good to her in the last minute, so he tells her what she can believe. Here again, the screenplay is neatly woven to satiate all kinds of people. This movie does not leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. I love the the way the dialogues are written. Songs are not very appealing though and are out of context with the story.
The last scene where Michael leaves Ponni stranded in the train reminds me of Meera Jasmine in Ayutha Ezhuthu. I am not drawing a comparison here but just a thought out loud. The three women choose their own way of lifestyle in the end. Yazhini chooses to be a homely mother while Ponni chooses the path of freedom as a single mother. Their freedom and liberation from men is marked up on by the rain; one chooses for it and one chooses against it. Feminism really came home in the last scene. Symbolically and with no doubt, very beautifully the message is conveyed. Takes a genius to know one.
Credits please,for the person who got you to watch it? :D Good review Archana, I didn't know you had paid this much attention while watching!
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