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KANCHIVARAM – MOVIE REVIEW

KANCHIVARAM ( TAMIL , 2009)

Director : Priyadarshan

Cast : Prakash Raj , Shreya Reddy

Frankly speaking , my opinion about Priyadarshan has changed after this movie . He had always come across as a person who makes cheap Bollywood entertainers. I knew he had made some brilliant films , but I never had the opportunity to watch them..

“Kanchivaram” is set in the year 1948 , only a few months after India's Independence. It shows the story of Venkatam ( Prakash Raj ) , one of the town's best silk weavers . The movie highlights the neglected lives of these weavers , who produce some of the costliest and finest silk sarees , but do not have the money to make some fine clothes for themselves , thanks to the attitude of the businessmen.

Venkatam is married to a beautiful young lady ( Shreya Reddy) , and they have a daughter child Thamarai .Venkatam makes a vow to dress his daughter in a silk saree , during her marriage . The entire community is shocked , as Venkatam simply does not have the money to afford such a huge gift for Thamarai. What happens next follows the rest of the story... Will Venkatam succeed in fulfilling his promise ?

Remarkably picturized in a rural ambience , Kanchivaram portrays the emotional turmoil of Venkatam , as he reminisces about his past , when traveling as a convict from Madras to Kanchivaram.

The movie is definitely one of the finest Tamil movies made this decade. The Director has done a splendid job , treating such a delicate storyline , with utmost care . Venkatam's fixation towards Communism is easily the best part of the movie , something which drives the story forward , ensuring that the movie does not become something like a father-daughter flick.

The movie is one of those rare Tamil flicks , which thankfully don't succumb to formula driven concepts , with half-dozen songs thrown in. It is a very mature movie , and focuses more on characterization rather than trying to bring audiences to the theaters.

Acting by the support cast , is excellent , and all the cast members have done justice to their roles. Right from the Communist Revolutionary to the Silk Merchant , to the Police constable whose Hat Emblem gets dislodged , everyone adds value to the movie.

However the best thing about the movie , has to be Prakash Raj playing the role of Venkatam , the Silk Weaver . One of India's finest actors ,he brings so much life into the movie , with an underplayed and subdued role , which he has played to perfection. This is one character which takes you for a ride across varying emotions. The happy joyful new father , who promises to get a silk saree for Thamarai .. the sorrowful son who loses his father , the fierce orator during the Communist uprising , Prakash Raj has done a commendable job , as always . This is the Prakash Raj I wanna see , not someone playing the stereotyped villain in some B-Grade Telugu movie...

Thankfully , there are no songs in the movie except one soulful rendition by the ladies when Thamarai is born .

Cinematography is the strong point which drives the movie . Every frame is so natural and rich , making the movie a visual treat in every sense of the word.

However , the screenplay could prove to be the movie's drawback. The problem with the movie is that , the actual story could have been made into a movie running for half an hour , but it has been extended to an almost 2 hours long flick . Not boring definitely , but you will surely feel that the movie could have been a lot crisper. No issues anyway , as am used to slow movies. But , this wont go down well with the mass seeking audience . The climax sequence sums up the hardships of the weaver , in a beautifully executed last few frames. But people in the audience were making a mockery of this wonderful scene.

I will go with 4 out of 5 for this fine movie . I would have gone with a straight 4.5 out of 5 , only if the movie had been crisp . This movie is very strongly recommended for serious movie lovers , but is a definite no-no for people who want to have a good time in the theaters.

VERDICT : 4 / 5 ( EXCELLENT)

YAVARUM NALAM (TAMIL , 2009)

Director : Vikram Kumar

Cast : Madhavan , Neetu Chandra


" Yavarum Nalam " , is another attempt at trying to scare the living daylights out of the audience.

This is the story of Manohar (Madhavan), who with his joint-family moves into an apartment 13B , in a huge building . The large family has enough fun and frolic together. But later on realize that all is not well . Manohar realizes that the images unfolding on a soap opera " Yavarum Nalam ", reflect the immediate future of his family. And when things start getting nasty , he feels the need to put an end to this.

The movie then follows his attempt at finding out the reason and truth behind eerie happenings like his image getting distorted in his mobile phone , the lift not working only when he sets foot in it , the milk getting wasted etc...

The movie does not succumb to the usual horror cliches like blood spill all over the
place , women clad in white with long hair etc. The movie is a sensible attempt at trying to scare the viewer. Using the concept of the idiot-box , which we are all addicted to , the Director tries to spin a web of horror , but manages to just make the mark.

The movie does have its share of scares , but they are very few . You do realize 20 minutes into the movie , that this is not the usual horror flick , and is something much better. But then , this movie is made as if its supposed to scare you , and sadly , it did not scare me.

The characters are normal everyday people , especially Manohar's family , who look like they will suffer a nervous breakdown if they miss their daily quota of soap operas . But then , they hardly help in the movie's progress.

Although the logic of the movie sounds a bit far-fetched , we always have to provide some leeway for the horror/thriller genre of films. But then the novel concept of using the TV as a base to drive the scares , almost ends up falling flat on its face... especially towards the second half , whose logic I guessed long ago. I knew it would be about a past murder , waiting to be avenged... sadly , it came true , and I did not need a TV to tell me that.

Screenplay is probably the biggest drawback of the movie. I was ashamed , to be frank , to almost fall asleep on at least 3 or 4 occasions , in what is supposed to be a Thriller . The movie could have been cut down by at least 20 minutes , and the 2 songs in between hardly serve any purpose. The intelligent plot , is badly let down by some unwanted sequences , which test the patience of the viewer.

Acting by Madhavan is nothing great , but he is his dependable best as always . Playing the role of Manohar the man who loves his family and is willing to go to any length to save his family , this is not exactly the greatest role he has played so far , nor does it offer any scope for extraordinary acting . However he has come up with a fine job , nevertheless. The rest of the cast come up with decent performances.

But I felt , the real hero of the movie has to be the man behind the camera P.C. Sreeram . This legendary cinematographer has taken this movie to completely new heights , technically. The camera plays with the viewer all through the movie , and helps a lot in sustaining the dark mood.

There are many flaws in the movie. How does only Madhavan manage to notice the connection between the serial and his family , when its staring them in the face all the way ?? And have not we had enough of the "death being avenged" stories in our movies ?? And what was the need to include a song in the middle of the movie ?? And the dialogues are very plain and ordinary , and seem to be written by a novice. Better dialogues could have made the performances appear much more alluring.

Overall this movie could have been much much much better . Such a novel attempt , has just managed to make the mark. Thankfully , things fell into place before I felt like running out of the movie hall.

I will go with a generous 3 out of 5 for "Yavarum Nalam ". It could have easily been a 4 out of 5 , only if it did not move at a snail's pace in many places.

VERDICT : 3 / 5 ( Above average and worth a watch )

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Director : David Fincher

Cast : Brad Pitt , Cate Blanchett

Life... something which we all take for granted. Little do we realize , how blessed we are , for this wonderful gift.

" The curious case of Benjamin Button " takes up this brilliant concept of life , and changes it into a spectacular portrayal of the life of a man. not an ordinary man... An extraordinary being in every sense of the word.

Benjamin Button ( Brad Pitt) is born on the day America wins the War , to wealthy parents , but is abandoned , as he is unique.. not in a positive way , but in a seemingly gruesome manner. He is born as an old man , and ages in reverse. He is taken care of , by a kind African-American family.

What follows , is the extraordinary life of this man. shot across varying periods , this movie holds you till the last minute.

There is every possibility that many things could go awfully wrong , with such a complex subject like this one. but thankfully , there are hardly any flaws in the movie.

Brilliantly crafted by the Director , with help from some superb special effects , "The curious case of Benjamin Button" is an unique movie , as unique as its protagonist.

There is a brilliant sequence in the first few minutes of the movie. An expert clock maker installs a clock in the Railway Station ... and this clock runs backwards , in reverse. This pretty much sums up Button's life.

The movie has its share of comedy,drama,romance and even action , in a brief war sequence.

Traversing through the life of Benjamin Button , the film shows him as an old man , a middle aged person , a ship helper , a young man , and a kid all in a brilliant fashion.

The romantic interlude between Benjamin and Daisy ( Cate Blanchett ) are the best parts of the movie , with some amazing dialogues.

Screenplay is not exactly fast , but at a running length of 2 Hours 43 Minutes , you still wont feel bored , once you start realizing and experiencing the magic unfolding in front of you.

Acting by Cate Blanchett as Daisy , is superb and this movie is yet another example of her versatility. Brad Pitt is an absolute treat to watch. Although he was a bit of a let down in the middle-aged sequences , the places where he plays an old man , and later on a young person , are examples of Pitt's brilliant acting. His subtle expressions in the scene where he voices his concern about taking care of his kid , will melt any heart.

But the real stars of the movie , have to be the supporting cast members , whose lives collide with Button , during his extraordinary journey . The kind Queenie who adopts Benjamin , the old man who has been struck 7 times by lightning , the ship captain and many more lively characters , all add special value to the movie.

I will go with 4 out of 5 , for this superb movie , which I never believed would be this interesting considering its length.

The last frame , showing the backwards running clock , is a stark reminder of Button's life , which is definitely curious , to say the least.

VERDICT : 4 / 5 ( Superb !! Highly recommended)