Jigarthanda DoubleX

The story has pretty good narration. It was well written. Lawrence, S. J. Surya and other side characters truly showed their dedication with their outstanding performances!

Cinematography, Set Locations, Outfits were all top notch. Background music were vibes as well.

Though the movie is lengthy and has slight drags in certain areas, i personally feel every minute of the movie was enjoyable and emotional. Lawrence and S. J. Surya have their respective character developments which just adds onto the already very well written story.

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you add this to your watchlist if you havent already.

We've had some banger movies out of Kollywood in 2023, and this just might be my Tamil movie of the year. I was skeptical of a Jigarthanda 'sequel' when this was announced and wasn't sure what to make of the casting, but was blown away by what I watched.

You can write a story about a given topic/around a message, and a good story should be enough for the film. Making a movie about making movie about the same story could almost feel..."Why? Keep it simple & not complicate the plot. Just make it about the message." But no, JDX disagrees. It want's to do what's tough.

Writing/Direction - Easily some of the best work I've seen in recent times. The movie has so many layers that have been written in very seamlessly. I enjoyed the first film, even though I didn't like the transition of tone/genre. I knew JDX would be doing the same, but damn, I didn't expect them to 'use cinema to bring forth change' the way they did. Loved how they went back and forth on what 'shooting' means to different people in the film. I didn't expect the messaging to be hard-hitting and yet, no on-the-nose. Didn't think you could blend of genres this way, but they did.

Raghava Lawrence - role of a lifetime! It's not often that you can steal the show with SJ Surya (who was also really good) in it, but this guy managed it. You've got to watch it to believe it. Support cast - really good.

Music - Santhosh Narayanan and his work elevate almost every scene of the film beyond expectation, especially the ones that are supposed to hit hard. It was very refreshing to listen to his genre of music after continuous bombardment of Anirudh songs, only sung by him, mostly about hero-worshiping.

Cinematography - especially the first half - top notch. The lighting and the colors deserve a special mention. I was bummed out that the 2nd half didn't look as vibrant, but I understand why it was done that way.

I could go on and be more specific, but that would potentially spoil things for you...sooo...Don't miss this film! I'd be very surprised if this doesn't win a bunch of awards next year. Based on how technically epic this film, on the commentaries on various things, and simply based on how well they tell the story of the power of cinema through cinema, this would be in the top 10 Indian films of 2023 to submit for Oscars. I know I haven't watched many other GOOD Indian movies this year, but boy if they sent this film, I don't think I'd disagree one bit!

I started Jigarthanda Double X without any expectations, but within the first ten minutes, it completely grabbed my attention. The first half was lighthearted, funny, and effortlessly entertaining, making it easy to stay invested in the story. The humor and flow of events kept things smooth and enjoyable, and I found myself really getting into it.

But then the second half took things in a whole new direction. Just when I thought I had a feel for the movie, the tone changed entirely, shifting from a funny, relaxed vibe to something much more intense and gripping. It felt like a completely different movie in the best way possible. This twist kept things fresh and made the entire experience more exciting and layered, blending humor with drama in a way that worked really well.

S. J. Suryah's performance was outstanding. He brought a lot of energy and depth to his role, making his character both entertaining and memorable. His expressions, timing, and overall acting really added to the film. Watching him felt like a real treat, and he truly delivered in every scene.

Lawrence also did a great job. He brought a grounded feel to his role that balanced out the lighter moments perfectly. His performance was genuine and intense, adding another layer to the story. You could tell he was fully committed to the character, and he made a big impact. The chemistry between Suryah and Lawrence was excellent, with their different styles complementing each other and creating some of the best scenes in the movie.

The screenplay was also well done. It kept the movie moving smoothly from one scene to the next without any awkward transitions. The balance between the humor in the first half and the drama in the second was perfect. There was no forced humor or unnecessary filler, just a clear focus that helped the story shine.

The storytelling was creative and effective. Instead of sticking to a predictable formula, the movie took a few risks with its narrative, which really paid off. The twists were surprising but didn't feel out of place, adding more depth to the plot. It was clear the filmmakers had put a lot of thought into how they wanted the story to unfold, blending different elements to keep it fresh and engaging.

Overall, Jigarthanda Double X was a great watch. It gave me a fun, lighthearted first half followed by a gripping, intense second half. With solid performances from S. J. Suryah and Lawrence, strong writing, and clever storytelling, this movie stands out. Even if you go in with no expectations, it's hard not to get drawn into the film's unique charm and energy.

In short, Jigarthanda Double X is a movie that balances comedy and drama perfectly. With great acting, a well-crafted screenplay, and unexpected twists, it's an enjoyable experience from start to finish. If you're looking for something that can surprise you in a good way, this movie is definitely worth a watch.

What a powerful heartfelt movie from Karthik Subbaraj, a true love letter to cinema and cinephiles.

Don't go in expecting another Jigarthanda. It's so much more than that. Where Jigarthanda was how art can influence a person, Double X is about art influencing society, building up to a really powerful ending (quite a few people teared up at the end).

KS weaves multiple genres together of action, crime, drama, comedy, thriller together like it's nothing. Finally, Raghava Lawrence demonstrates that he is an actor and not a joker, what a comeback after the Chandramairu 2 (what was that movie)

I'll make this longer later. It's just truly amazing. A real 'wammala ithan da cinema' moment; so far best Tamil film of the year.

Solid Cinematic Experience: This film delivers a solid cinematic experience. While not reaching mind-blowing or masterpiece status, it stands comfortably above average.

Impressive Direction and Performances: Karthik Subbaraj's direction shines, and S J Surya's performance is killer. The last half hour is a blast, adding a memorable touch to the overall viewing experience.

Well-Told Storyline: The storyline, though not super gripping, is well-told, with some scenes hitting the mark. It weaves together multiple genres seamlessly.

Drawn Out Moments: Despite occasional drawn-out moments, the movie captures attention with its legit locations, top-notch cinematography, and vibing background music.

Worth a Watch: In summary, this film is worth a watch, offering a blend of impressive direction, strong performances, and an engaging if not groundbreaking storyline.

8.1.