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Monday, December 12, 2005

Thavamai Thavamirundhu - Review

I used to always appreciate Cheran for the way he conceives the screenplay based on a simple known social message.

Caste in 'Bharathi Kannamma", Handicap support in "Porkaalam", Politics in 'Dheesiya Geetham', Self-employment in 'Vetri Kodi Kattu', Rural life in "Paandavar Bhoomi'.. etc., He deviated in 'Autograph' with love as the main focus and succeeded. So, obviously people might have built up their expectations on his next movie.

He hasn't failed us. This time the crux of the movie is a Dad's expectation that "his children shouldn't think at a later stage that he didn't bring them up / educate them properly". It tends to happen when the child talks back after he has grown up, that he would have prospered well, provided his Dad had given enough opportunities in life. I have heard those words personally. So, I got impressed immediately.

The way the movie starts, may remind us of 'Autograph' since the story goes on a flashback mode here also. Luckily, he stops with that similarity.

The story revolves on the efforts of Muthiah (Rajkiran) to bring up his 2 sons, inspite of his cash crunch. At one point of time, the elder son (FM DJ Senthil) goes out of the joint family with his wife. While the family is going thru those emotional moments, the second son (Cheran) takes an important decision to support his lover. The emotional moments following that decision and subsequent reunion with parents have been beautifully narrated.

Rajkiran and Saranya, as his wife, are excellently portrayed in their roles and the former gets more opportunities. After Cheran's earlier 'Paandavar Bhoomi', Rajkiran has been used properly by the same director once again. He is excellent thru out the movie.


Padmapriya is too good as the lover (with her matured look) and an appreciable homely housewife. She fits in the emotional scenes with ease - when the story moves around in Chennai / in the village / in the climax. She has lived in as the character thru out the movie. Cheran has improved a lot compared to his earlier 'Solla marandha kathai' and 'Autograph', eventhough certain expressions are still the same (particulary, the emotional ones).

Only 3 more main characters remain in the movie - played by Senthil (FM DJ) as Cheran's brother, his wife and Ilavarasu as Rajkiran's assistant. They have also done commendably.

Eventhough the intial moments of the lovers in Chennai reminded me of 'Kathal' movie, locations are aptly selected thru out the movie - whether it is Chettinad-karaikudi or Chennai or Madurai.

I liked those two numbers of Sabesh-Murali (Deva's brothers). Eventhough I expected to see the song 'Unnai Saran Adaintheen' in the movie, it has been replaced by 'Naane Tholaindha kathai...' with the same tunes. Still it is OK. 'Enna Parkirai..' shot along with the first twist of the story has been captured well. Few other numbers appreciating the Dad & Son's emotional thoughts were well written too.

Strengths:
1) The casting, particularly of Rajkiran, Saranya & Padmapriya.
2) Eventhough you may need a hanky at times, the scenes are not dramatic. They are required for the strength of the movie. I was really moved in few scenes, particularly when the couple apologize to their parents and when they realise their lonely situation in Chennai.
3) As usual, the message which the movies carries with it. Worth mentioning plot.

Weaknesses:
1) Too long - 3 hrs 20 minutes, with some slow momemts. Eventhough Cheran tried to trim down in few places, he had good scope to cut some more - like those younger days when they go for excursion with a song. Still he has tightly woven most of them.


Worth watching, provided you have allocated some good time for it and you love emotional (not dramatic) flicks.

My Earlier Reviews - Limited edition (munch them, if you hvn't)
Majaa / Ghajini / Anniyan / Ullam Ketkumae / Sachein

238th post

14 Comments:

Blogger Kaps said...

I should catch this sometime. Is this running in the theatres here?

Monday, December 12, 2005 6:27:00 PM  
Blogger Me said...

its a good movie.... i liked rajkirans role.... he was too good...

i think this is the first time i saw a movie b4 u wrote the review ....:)

Monday, December 12, 2005 6:38:00 PM  
Blogger TJ said...

i share the same review with you, esp abt the strngth and weakness!

Monday, December 12, 2005 9:00:00 PM  
Blogger Siddharth said...

well written ram...like u have mentioned a hanky is a must for this film.i started 2 cry in the beginning itself when cheran asks a driver about his father.i must watch pandavar bhomi.rajkiran has given a powerhouse performance.actually i liked the excursion parts.this film is a must watch with one's family member.

Monday, December 12, 2005 11:04:00 PM  
Blogger narayanan said...

I think that 3 hour 20 minute factor was kind of a scare before the movie. Except for initial and few final moments, a major chunk went unnoticed for me including the heavy ones half way thro.

Worth watching, provided you have allocated some good time for it and you love emotional (not dramatic) flicks.

Pretty much concluded my review on TT the same way too :). Very much refined comparing Cheran's prior ventures where there was more crying than the expresion itself.

-narayanan

Monday, December 12, 2005 11:14:00 PM  
Blogger harry said...

i give a 5 star rating for this movie..shud get a national award..could be trimmed down to 2 hours 50 minutes...

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 1:19:00 AM  
Blogger Cogito said...

thx for the review ! will try to see it. I generally like Cheran's movies.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 7:12:00 AM  
Blogger Ram C said...

Kaps.. as I mentioned in my mail :-) :-)

Me.. sometimes it happens. It got delayed due to some reaons.. will try to catch up in future..

TJ... hope you enjoyed the movie in the bay area. :-) :-)

Siddharth.. there are many scenes like the one you had mentioned.. may watch it gain soon. I am Ok with the length, if I watch it in a VCD, later on.

Narayanan.. agree with you. I found this more realistic.

Harry.. there is a chance for national award. the movie deserves it. let us wait and see...

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 7:12:00 AM  
Blogger crsathish said...

nice review ram. padam paakanum poala irukku.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 7:32:00 AM  
Blogger Woodooz said...

Ram,

I was wondering throughout the movie why the past was potrayed in color and present in B&W. You have any clue ?

One thing I liked in the movie was the comedy... Was never thrust and blended well with the movie...

The thirukural scene while going on cycle, Cheran and Padma speaking in English, Charanya's remarks on western toilet, Kushbhu... everything had a roaring in laughter.

Realy liked the movie a lot.

Cheers.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:00:00 PM  
Blogger Ram C said...

Satish.. don't miss it.

Somu.. my understanding is that he wanted to differenciate the transition moment. It is no thru out the "present".. If you can recall, the last scene in the village is in color, eventhough it is "present". I too enjoyed those hilarious parts blended in the story..

Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:50:00 PM  
Blogger Chakra said...

I am waiting for this movie... i visited your blog esp to check your review. Am gonna watch it very soon.

Friday, December 16, 2005 1:35:00 AM  
Blogger Arun said...

Read your blog. Nice to know that the movie is getting popular in Singapore also. I wrote a reviw on the movie. Read it if you have the time.

Saturday, December 31, 2005 11:50:00 PM  
Blogger Pal said...

A neat Review, this is one awesome sensible movie in recent times in Tamil. Though it is more like an offbeat film.

The screenplay has been developed around the 7th Chapter of Thirukural ie Makkatperu or "The Obtaining of Sons". Even there is a movie promotional songs with 6 of the Thirukurals in this chapter. For english translations visit

Thirukural Chapter 7 - English Translations

For Tamil Version

Thirukural - Makkatperu - Chapter 7

Tuesday, February 21, 2006 6:30:00 AM  

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