Chekka Chivantha Vaanam

After quite sometime an action packed movie from Manirathinam. Everyone in the movie has done a phenomenonal job. Few characters where not used to their fullest. Could have been better as there were too many logical errors.

Leaving out the grandeur that Mani ratnam brings to his movies through enriched characterisation and an abstract plot, there was nothing else about this movie that left a lasting impression. All actors did justice to the roles they were assigned (including simbu :P), with Prakash Raj single-handedly outperforming everyone else. This 'band of brothers' on-screen chemistry is definitely something to look forward to. The background scores were pretty good, which is kind of expected from the maestro. And there's lots of "mass" moments which an average Tamil movie fan would definitely enjoy.

What was really disappointing was that an extremely tantalising premise was set at the end of the first half and the movie could've escalated to a whole new plane if they had not so whimpishly underplayed the big murder mystery. This took it from an gripping thriller to a filibuster. Otherwise, it's a good one time watch, that keeps you engagaed throughout but fails to close well.

There is this scene towards the climax; when Rasool (Vijay Sethupathy) embarks on a rather lengthy speech.

Seems very much in context and goes well with the character - the opportunistic, motor-mouthed, corrupt officer of the law trying to prolong the inevitable; and is so identifiable as well with the actor himself who has portrayed quite a few personnel of underpar intelligence with that unique loudish half-nasal tone. It does tend to get a little too dragging, when all of a sudden; a shot rings out...and everything changes!

Yes! Everything had changed. Only, you hadn't noticed them at all. You had seen it all, now come to think of it, but didn't pay too much attention to it until that very moment.

The vague babbling had given way to a ruthless authoritative voice. Sharp, steely eyes replaced the meek, surrendering ones; those fearful quivering lips showed a firm resolve and the fidgety movements were now quick and precise. The transformation had been gradual but complete!

You are amazed. You want to go back...and see this one more time... and so you do! And then you appreciate the magic once again! The magic that happened when a fantastic actor combined with a master craftsman.

CCV would never rank among the finest of Mani's works; but for me this particular scene had that innate perfection that outdoes many other scenes from many other movies. It was so cleverly contrived and unexaggeratingly performed with a devious subtlety hiding a cunningly artful surprise.

Thank you both!!

4 major stars plus a few more are squeezed into a 140 minute timeline.

Most of them have moments which they own but it doesn't make them full characters. This would have worked better as a longer film with them being etched better.

Still, this is a decent film. Arvind Swami sort of wades through a unsurprising first half and comes into his own as the action builds up. Jothika gets exactly one terrific scene. Vijay Sethupathi is very good but he is one of those who suffers from a slightly incomplete characterisation. Arun Vijay and Simbu are ok in their roles.

2nd half just collapsed.. Script fails but all actors where brilliant in this movie especially Aravindh Swammy.. could have been better.. 5/10