Kadal

Very disturbing movie. Concept is nice but the script is so drab. Love and hate both are emotions and yet the movie did everything but emote (just a sequence of events without true magic anywhere at all). Maniratnam is generally good balancing drama with a subtle concept but this one is a debacle. Movie at best is experimental. Classic example where all other departments (photography, music) scored well but plot is reeling.

Wow...was the expression when the movie ended. Had I taken all the negative reviews seriously I would have missed a great movie. Only a seasoned director like Mani Ratnam can give such a beautiful film. After watching Kadal one can see why Mani Ratnam is a huge name in Indian cinema. If you have come to a conclusion that I am a huge Mani fan you are absolutely wrong. But this movie has changed my opinion about him. I was really really disappointed about some of his previous outing. At the same time I have not forgotten some of his great works like Agni Nakshatram, Mouna Ragam, Keethangali and Alaipayuthey. I like this Mani a lot not the one who made movies like Ravanan. I am well aware that this movie is not well received by his fans. But if you go by their reaction you are certainly going to miss a fantastic work.

Everyone in his crew has given their best shot including the new comers Gowtham and Thulasi. And what a powerful comeback for Arvindsamy. For Arjun it s a very different role as he has never tried negative characters in his film career I guess. Ponvannan is amazing as always. I don't need to say much about the technicians as Mani Ratnam would hire only the best in the industry. Beautiful camera, beautiful locations and some beautiful songs. So drink Kadal sip by sip.

Maniratnam movies always evoke a loud 'boo', from supposed mass-oriented audience,for the characters of his movies are usually upper middle class intelligentsia, who speak in measured tone and this pattern is fitted on to characters from other social classes as well.

This cliché is broken, for the dialogues are written by acclaimed writer Jeyamohan and the screenplay is jointly sketched by Maniratnam and Jeyamohan. They bring out the raw energy through usage of slang that is prevalent in Christian fisherman villages of South Tamilnadu.

The initial scenes in Seminary and the dialogues sets the landscape for the story of 'Kadal', which is essentially a clash of ideologies between God seeking Aravindswamy (Sam) and self proclaimed son of Satan,Arjun Sarja (Bergmans). The dialogue of Arjun, wherein he says,he came to Seminary just to escape poverty does make the intent of the antagonist much clearer and also reflects the realism. The first 15 minutes of the movie essentially portrays what to expect from from the whole movie itself. The love affair of Maniratnam with Raavanan is not yet over for, Arjun is portrayed as a well learned biblical scholar who engages in wishful sins.

The Hero of the movie, Gautham Karthik (Thomas) is introduced as a bastard son and the social interactions push him towards becoming Anti-social. The scenes in village transport you there as an observer and makes you realize the effort, the director has put in artist selection for supporting and background roles. One of the background roles which get etched in your mind is a fisher-woman who hawks in the market and picks up a duel with Aravindswamy.

Religion itself has to play a major role in the movie and the reality of how the religious functions are commoditized is brought out. The tape recorder which Aravindswamy uses to connect the people with God travels along with the movie till the very end. For the first time, Maniratnam completely deals with people who live in the fringes of society and morality.

The immersive experience that the movie offers can be attributed to the picturesque cinematography of Rajiv Menon who has unobtrusively sewed vast unending landscape of ocean and ocean associated land and the haunting background score of AR.Rahman. 'Magudi' song by Aaryan Dinesh Kanagaratnam, a Sinhalese Rapper sets the tone for the movie in either halves of the movie, by showing how the character of Gautham Karthik develops itself from child to brash teen and his experiences with Sins.

The milestone scenes includes the scene were the young Gautham breaks down before the tape recorder, the first experience of Ocean by Gautham, the scene were Aravindswamy is implicated in the sin of flesh, When Arjun proclaims himself as Satan before Aravindswamy, When Gautam experiences the first blood of birth on his hands, The mental torment of Gautam when he tries to explain about what is Sin to Thulasi , the climax in mid of rough seas and of course the rousing song near the end credits.

One cannot stop admiring the energy in débutant Gautham Karthik and the comeback performances of Aravindswamy and Arjun Sarja. Thulasi (Beatrice) fits the limited scope offered by the story and Ponvannan as usual brings out a standout performance.

The story can be pushed aside by many as a classic "Truth Alone Triumph" formulaic film, but what makes it stand out is the layered treatment which the makers have brought in to make it more realistic. Though a fairy tale ending, it brings out the grey nature of human, wherein do- gooder saintly Father Sam is pushed to kill Bergmans, Proclaimed Son of Satan Bergman's inability to kill his estranged daughter Beatrice and the sinner Thomas insistence in saving Bergmans. The movie ends with the supposed Angel, Beatrice spending her time in a rehabilitation institution.

Overall, a truly immersive visual, aural experience and watch it for the wonderful acting performances of lead and supporting artists.

And Yes, Kadal is not a Romantic movie.

And with respect to the ad films that were played before movie titles, the news ads for National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), shows the desperate need for creativity among government based public relation offices. The syntax and the template of the ads are so shamelessly the same that I can recall the mid 90's ads for oral contraceptives in Doordarshan, which once monopolized the broadcasting industry in India.

Actors: Arjun Sarja, Aravindswamy, Gautham Karthik, Thulasi Nair, Ponvannan

Directed by: Maniratnam

Editing: A.Sreekar Prasad

Cinematography: Rajiv Menon

Produced by: Madras Talkies

Music Composer: AR Rahman

Released languages: Tamil (as Kadal), Telugu (as Kadali )

Upgrade version of Manirathnam

The thing to talk here is the story. Jayamohan did it once again much separated from Neerparavai. The story narrated by him was done in a single shot where a small child stands up on its own in Manirathnam style "wow".The next thing is the cinematography which makes us to think Hollywood is far behind from Indian film making.Editing and Vfx work makes the film too colourfull and falls apart from the movie.May it pushed the movie back.

ACTORS:

Arjun job looks amazing especially in climax where a Indian health ledger is seen. Aravindswamy with much more boost up carries the movie all over.I thought Mani sir took hero and heroine for a coincidence but he made them to adopt to their character.I am pretty amazed by both their performance. Gautham has his grand father and his father attitude. In a scene where he comes to the church after meeting the heroine"cool". Thulasi expression in mookil thotam was like a half sridevi.

I don't why do they expect a alaipayuthey in a fisherman's life do you think Manirathnam has only love Ideas.At last but not least the AR Rahman music carried all over the movie cleaning your ears We can hear a much more energy since it is a combo from the past.

The only thing that i am disappointed is the audience who are not patience to a slow movie like this.I went to 2 theater and couldn't tolerate those Intelligent genius thinking themselves as Aranofsky creating and giving tips to the director .So whats the fact is if you don't like the movie just shut the f---k up so that other illiterate like us can watch the movie.

So Kadal is a vast ocean for a deep dive or for a gentle swim that in your point of suggestion.on the way for Infinite awards.

I do not understand some critics do not like this movie. This movie was prefect. The cast in this movie was amazing. Even a small role was realistic. I never seen Arjun act this realistic. He really acts like a real devil. The ending visual effects was amazing. It was a experience like the actors were there. The music was once brought back by A.R Rahman. His music always bring us happiness and it does it again in this movie. The background music was again amazing. The Cinematography was good. The camera starts in a very amazing angle. The story was one of the amazing story ever. The story looks like a real man's life. Overall, Kadal is a realistic movie. The story,Cinematography, the cast and the music are amazing.

Final verdict:10/10