SOODHU KAVVUM ("KIDNAPPERS IN TOWN")

May 1, 2013

Cast: Vijay Sethupathy, Sanchita Shetty, Radha Ravi, M.S Bhaskar.

Director: Nalan Kumaraswamy.

Nowadays when a film comes along with Vijay Sethupathy as the lead we have started expecting something different, and that is just what you get with Soodhu Kavvum.

Das (Vijay Sethupathy) is a middle aged man with a mental disorder (somewhat a funny version of John Nash in “A beautiful mind” you could say) who is a “professional” kidnapper with a rule list on how to kidnap. He keeps talking to Shalu(the imaginary character that only he can see). He takes 3 jobless youngsters along with him and after a series of petty kidnappings they hit jackpot when they are offered 2 crore rupees for kidnapping the minister’s son.

Scripted and directed by Nalan Kumarasamy, Soodhu Kavvum is a laugh riot with the situations in the screenplay being the main comedian, which is sort of a once in a blue moon event in Tamil cinema.

With no leading actors from the Tamil industry, except for M.S Bhaskar and Radha Ravi doing minor roles, Nalan Kumarasamy shows his mettle extracting solid performances from the entire cast.

Vijay Sethupathy once again does a fine job, but what is to be appreciated more is the fact that he has allowed the director and the screenplay dictate the course of the film. Though it is apparent from the screenplay that Vijay Sethupathy is the main character he never really hogs the limelight. He looks comfortable and happy letting the other actors have some of the best dialogues and scenes in the film.

The praiseworthy editing (considered Kumarasamy’s forte), catchy BGM and wonderful cinematography involving certain moving shots and slow motions spice up the film really well. Every element like thrill, suspense, humor and tension, to name a few, is given in right doses.

But the USP of the film is undoubtedly the tactful and brilliant screenplay that provides laughter throughout the film (even in tense situations) which keeps you engaged all the while. It would not be surprising if Soodhu Kavvum gets repeat audience especially as it’s summer vacation.

Iam giving a 3.5/5 for Soodhu Kavvum. Change is always good and this film is testimony to that statement! Soodhu Kavvum has finesse written all over it.Make sure you watch it!

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2 to 2.25                      -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                    -           Average.

3 to 3.25                      -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4 to 4.25                      -           Great.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary.

                                                                    

ETHIR NEECHAL ("LONG SWIM")

May 1,2013

Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Priya Anand.

Director: R S Durai Senthilkumar.

Sivakarthikeyan as the hero, Anirudh’s music topping the charts, Dhanush as the producer; he comes in an item dance with Nayanthara as well. Ethirneechal having all these mouth watering elements finally hits the screens so what more can you ask for, right? Well...a lot more!

A couple with no children for quite a long time gets blessed with a baby boy (Sivakarthikeyan) whom they believe has been given to them by the deity named Kunchithapadam, and for the same reason they name him after the deity. People start calling him Kunchi and Kunchithapadam who is a decent athelete feels cursed even when he wins races just because his name gets announced during the presentation ceremony. He is friends with Peter who runs a tailoring shop.

A lot of misfortunes come his way which he believes is because of his name. So he changes his name to Harish. He falls in love with Geetha (Priya Anand) who is a teacher cum LIC agent cum student cum charity worker. After a series of events he decides to take part in a marathon to “earn” his new name! He starts training under Valli who has the National record for 100 metres race.

The first half of the film is rather passable with a few funny scenes, some reminding you of Boss engira Baskaran. The romance between Sivakarthikeyan and Priya Anand is nice but lacks the chemistry actually required. At times it’s hard not to feel if the director was hoping to make the film appealing to the audience by stuffing in as many songs as possible.

The second half mostly concentrates on the training for the marathon and the actual event. The item song involving Dhanush and Nayanthara is nice but it is just as unwanted as Valli’s flashback!

The screenplay though earnestly written lacks the solidarity required  either for a romantic film or a sports film, and when it’s a combination of romance and sports the final product ends up with several loose ends unfortunately. This is not to belittle the training sequences that have been shot really well.

A filmmaker feels victorious when the audience empathise with the characters he is presenting to them, but the characters in Ethirneechal seems half baked and you as the audience end up watching a story that is happening somewhere out there and not something that you can relate to.

In spite of it feeling too long Ethirneechal cannot be termed as a bad film. It does offer entertainment in parts and does not make you feel bored. But that’s that!

Iam giving a 2.5/5 for Ethirneechal. Go in without expectations and you will not feel disappointed.

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2 to 2.25                      -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

                                 

3 to 3.25                      -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Really Good.

4 to 4.25                      -           Great.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary.