My expectations for Seththumaan (aka) Sethumaan movie was high, because of just one name 'Neelam Production', It is one of the best thing to happen to Tamil cinema consistently generating incredible stories. The creative collaboration with director Thamizh can be safely considered as yet another good attempt. He skilfully placed the everyday scenario in a Rural village created by bringing such interesting subjects together into the 'ordinary' molds of the genre using Pork consumption. All this madness is very interesting to watch, attention to detail and a selection of colourful visuals, landscape, the background score fits perfectly.
The plot is based on the struggle of the main character, Poochi, an elderly man from low caste who takes upon himself to look after his grandson Kumaresan after the death of his son and daughter-in-law. From the very first minutes of viewing, the viewer is given to understand that a tragic ending awaits. Moreover, with every minute the feeling of pain will intensify, there are lighter heart-warming scenes but the plot will rage as the characters will give place for the inner demons. The secondary characters are also not far behind: The director uses the Pork fetish and places it in the plot. For the upper caste, Pig is a filthy animal, a sign of abomination but for Landlord Vellaiyan, it means a delicacy. He sometime bleeds while taking a dump and regards Pork meat as a cure. He wants every men in the village to try pork meat and suggests it as a laxative for difficult bowel movement. Then we have Suruli, another fan of Pork meat, the cousin of Vellaiyan. They both fight over silly matters, the usual ones we see in the villages that turns ugly. We have a school master, consuming pork meat and doesn't want to be spotted in the village while doing it and behaves as if he is visiting a brothel in secrecy. I loved the the sequences of the pig breeder who belongs to the same class as Poochi. He exudes confident and backs Poochi to raise his voice against the oppression. This was role was perfect to see the thought process 2 generations that faced continues oppression from the hands of the upper caste.
In closing, it is an irresistible desire to eat pork meat that occupies the thoughts of the rich, this craving for pig is crammed into one huge bowl. Everything taste perfectly here, until they tag along to eat Pork which ends in a tragic finale. Also, there is the cooking process of the pork (in graphic detail) which might be a turn off for some. The simple plot is generously flavoured with good performances, dialogues, music, comedy, tragedy and subtle irony, never ceases to amaze with its themes right up to the finale as the title drops.
