Vettaiyadu Vilayadu - movie review

Raw...Racy...Stylish



"Another episode in police officer's life" - the flash before the advent of the story settles down most of the viewers in dissapointment. But thats not the way it should be interpreted.

Indian cinema viewers have the habit of getting contented if a movie goes to show almost the entire life of the protagonist (be it even an action flick). Gautham broke that viewpoint in "Kaakha Kaakha" by packaging an episodian style-story . He follows the same style here.

Episode might be called a sequence of incidents which may or may not create a turnaround. But these kind of movies could serve our analysis better if watched with a subjective viewpoint rather than searched for purpose or some message. The character's meticulous detailing and ability of the director to do that character analysis should be the key in such movies.

There are going to be a sequence of incidents - lets see how raaghavan handles that -----is the key viewpoint factor.

Raaghavan (Kamalhaasan) is a DCP. Gautham strikes the viewer with a hint of how raaghavan is mannered with the first few scenes. Kamal effortlessly has displayed instincts and behavioural pattern in those scenes.

Synopis (no spoilers) : Raaghavan is set to investigate on an alleged murder of Rani, daugter of another police and friend played by Prakash Raj. Owing to a series of events that follow, he travels to New york on another related muder investigation where he meets Aradhana (Jyothika). The investigation engagement with Anderson (Kevin costner look-alike) tunes the movie to a tone of mystery, suspense and bloodshed. The plot behind the serial murders, how Raaghavan handles that, how he tries to connect with Aradhana is told in a raw, gory and beautifully mature style by Gautham.

Speaking of technicality, this movie tops almost very single movie in tamil cinema so far. Ravi varman's camera work, paints every viewer "intrigued". Rolling shots and transitional effects are awesome. 35 mm aerial shots are done with art and creativity. It contributes to the pace of the movie. The picturization of Paartha Mudhal, Uyirile songs are cute and artsy.

Harris Jeyaraj is another important technician in this movie. He not only creates metal strikes but also some feel-good factor with his excellent songs. The BGM is truly amazing (not much arabic style hummings though), especially in those scenes where Raaghavan is on the trail with Anderson.

Direction and dialogue writing deserve a standing ovation at various points of the movie. Viewers may settle with a premediated idea on kamal-jyothika onscreen chemistry. But to be frank, it was gelled with the fast-paced story perfectly. It might get a bit more mature and tidy in the second half, again based on viewers.

I would like to mention one scene where I was hooked by summation of director.

Aradhana asks, "Are you Nostradamus?" He replies, "No,,,much worse - a policeman".. Similar euphemistic dialogues between them are really carved out effectively by gautham - kudos!!!

If a viewer is too much speculative on originality of script - this movie will disappoint. The script is not thoroughly original. But I felt its not necessary since my view is on how the director handled the scenes. This is another episode which just looks measly similar to kaakha Kaakha in some 2nd half-scenes.

Look at the performances: (Character analysis is just brilliant)

Kamal's stature is in blend with gautham's growing maturity in filmaking. If Kamal's 100% is required, it can only come through his own production and direction. He has underplayed here and thats what is demanded by the script. So die hard kamal fans may stay away. But this is a director's movie showing a lot of respect to Kamal's stature. I believe its a "Take-a-break " from heavy-styled-kamal emotions.

Jyothika - A performance that showed hard-worked home-work because she stands before the veteran Kamalhassan in all her scenes.

Amudhan (Daniel Balaji of Kaaka Kaakha fame) has given a splendid phychotic mood to the script which demanded such gruesome scenes. Claps to his performance.

All supporting performers are good in their own way, expecially Prakash Raj who has been given a worthy scope to act in those little amount of scenes.

To package my thoughts, I felt entertained , felt subtled, felt contented after a truckload of worthless movies this year. This movie WILL entertain you!! Kamal looks still spectacular at 50!!!!

Wow

* Kamalhaasan's presence and orientation to script
* Dialogue-writing and Direction
* Songs and BGM by Harris Jeyaraj
* Stunt sequences
* Cinematography

Boo-hooo

* Similarity to Kaakha Kaakha in some 2nd half scenes
* Overdoing with violence at some points
* Neruppe song (what the hell is this song doing here)
* Screenplay in second half
* A compromising climax

Rating: **********

VV rocks!! A complete entertainer! Technicality at its best...