2019, Tamil, Disney Hotstar, 7.2/10 IMDB, Andrew Louis
A slow paced thriller with tiring monotone dialogue exchanges, salvaged by story line, couple of unexpected twists and shorter running time of just 2hrs.
Vijay Antony with his distinctive choice of storyline, coupled with skillful editing and a strong role for the female lead assures you a minimum guarantee.
The movie opens with a burnt dead body reported and Arjun who plays an IPS officer starts investigating. The thriller moves in such slow pace but does make you inquisitive with the fidgety characters and a tranquil hero.
The investigations leads to the strange collaborations with the mother and daughter and their neighbour. The interval block does make you sit up in expecting what comes next.
Arjun discussing the case with his mentor played by Nassar, does undermine the ability of Arjun’s character as it isn’t that tough a case to crack and arjun doesn’t look that young to take advices either.
The female lead played by the Indian origin Australian model, Ashima is a welcoming addition to the South Indian cinemas. She does remind you of those days siyaram ads we saw in doordharshan, she has some super model features that doesn’t make you sympathise with her character as one is expected to but have to give it to her for making a big effort in lip sync in dialogues.
Refreshing to see Sita playing the heroine’s mom. Music by Simon, his BGM works sparingly and occasionally gets too noisy. The songs doesn’t score much and you forget them as you walk out.
Now coming to Vijay Antony’s contribution, his ‘under playing the character’ tactics is agreeable but in the process of making it too parallel to that of a real life character, he falls flat in many avenues that you are not drawn to him as a performer. I adored him in his interview with Baardwaj Rangan, and couldn’t believe why he wears this eagle-eyed serious expression even when he is romancing the heroine and that too in a dream song, for heaven’s sake.
Hoping to see him in a character that requires him to play the chirpy smiling self that he seems to be on the informal interviews.