It is not very often that I watch Tamil films. A lack of enjoyment is caused by failure to analyze the film and catch the motifs fully in order to relish the whole package. That is something I learnt very late in life (comparatively late to other art appreciators) and hence am just beginning to identify the right ones and cut them up in the sheary parts.
What comes to mind when I think of this language cinema? It is a sweeping generalization, but not so absurd considering my sample space is very small. Heroes wearing T-shirts with catchy writing, young and promising. Villains are shady, generally dark-skinned, lungi-clad, sporting an uncombed moustache with or without a beard (depending on how rural the setting is). Heroines rarely have meaningful roles and the concept of "item songs" does not help them. Such movies fall under the "masala" category, one that I loathe.
But Jigarthanda fits the profile, yet falls short of being classified into a masala film. Why? Let me add a sentence to the definition of masala "films which ONLY have the above-mentioned characteristics." You see, there is more to it than just, defiance of logic and unintelligent attempts to woo the audience through crass comedy.
This is the first Tamil film in a rural setting that has Flamenco background music (in my sample space). An excellent combo, an act of extracting some juice from the west without compromising on authenticity. There are some long shots of scenic background that possibly intend symbolism. There is a sense of coolness (the temperature) despite the hacking and stabbing. This is great because it strikes a balance everywhere. The romance does not get too out of hand and is present just so that it can complete the story.
Siddharth's acting is not exactly top-notch in my opinion. There are no intense expressions, most are of the try-too-hard category. From the start, the person who steals the show is the villain, Bobby Simha. The rural TN version of Bane, he is a cold-hearted criminal with a torturous past that led him to become a vile monster who spares no-one who double-crosses him. Evil and brainy, yet leads a laid back life. The perfect villain who is impossible to defeat by force. How this is accomplished is the crux of the story and involves the film industry.
Lakshmi Menon has no significant part, but does whatever she is given, well. The innocent and sweet village girl. No further comments here.
Karthik Subbaraj and his cameraman Gavemic U Ary, must be given due credit for making the screenplay so engaging with every scene having so much attention. The editor, Vivek could have cut some more scenes to avoid the 163 minute drag.
Do I recommend that you watch it? Yes, atleast once. Who knows, if you don't like it the first time, it may grow on you.
What comes to mind when I think of this language cinema? It is a sweeping generalization, but not so absurd considering my sample space is very small. Heroes wearing T-shirts with catchy writing, young and promising. Villains are shady, generally dark-skinned, lungi-clad, sporting an uncombed moustache with or without a beard (depending on how rural the setting is). Heroines rarely have meaningful roles and the concept of "item songs" does not help them. Such movies fall under the "masala" category, one that I loathe.
But Jigarthanda fits the profile, yet falls short of being classified into a masala film. Why? Let me add a sentence to the definition of masala "films which ONLY have the above-mentioned characteristics." You see, there is more to it than just, defiance of logic and unintelligent attempts to woo the audience through crass comedy.
This is the first Tamil film in a rural setting that has Flamenco background music (in my sample space). An excellent combo, an act of extracting some juice from the west without compromising on authenticity. There are some long shots of scenic background that possibly intend symbolism. There is a sense of coolness (the temperature) despite the hacking and stabbing. This is great because it strikes a balance everywhere. The romance does not get too out of hand and is present just so that it can complete the story.
Siddharth's acting is not exactly top-notch in my opinion. There are no intense expressions, most are of the try-too-hard category. From the start, the person who steals the show is the villain, Bobby Simha. The rural TN version of Bane, he is a cold-hearted criminal with a torturous past that led him to become a vile monster who spares no-one who double-crosses him. Evil and brainy, yet leads a laid back life. The perfect villain who is impossible to defeat by force. How this is accomplished is the crux of the story and involves the film industry.
Lakshmi Menon has no significant part, but does whatever she is given, well. The innocent and sweet village girl. No further comments here.
Karthik Subbaraj and his cameraman Gavemic U Ary, must be given due credit for making the screenplay so engaging with every scene having so much attention. The editor, Vivek could have cut some more scenes to avoid the 163 minute drag.
Do I recommend that you watch it? Yes, atleast once. Who knows, if you don't like it the first time, it may grow on you.
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