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.

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

KADAL ( 2013 )

Saw this on the release date itself. Normally it doesn't happen with Tamil movies as far as my movie watching habit is concerned.

KADAL is a pretty simple story. The life of a boy who grows up among the illiterate fishermen on sea shores. But that's not just about it. its also the story of good v/s evil fight. Good represented by the priest ( played by Aravind Sami ) and evil represented by rich bad guy (played by Arjun). That's not it about it its also about how love can change someone into good and bring them close to god. Now, that's it about the movie.

All clichéd plots, no unseen situations or anything. KADAL is a normal average movie. There is nothing mind blowing or supergood story wise. But in terms of making there are few things I really loved.

Songs of a movie play a huge role in pulling the audience to it. KADAL album is already a huge hit and there would be people coming in also to see those beautiful songs. I was also waiting for it to come on screen and I am totally surprised!! The sound track of the movie had different genres of songs and I was wondering what placement or picturisation they would have in a movie related to sea.

Right from the moment when my favorite track MAGUDI unfolded on screen, I realized that the experimentation begins then onwards. When you see the songs with the movie, I felt all of them doesn't blend well. But if the songs are viewed alone, they would look good and different. I liked the ' adiye.. enne enge ne' song picturisation very much for that was never what I had imagined that song would be like. MAGUDI also could have been better.

As always, Rajeev Menon's cinematography is beautiful and stunning in the climax scene. The climax scene in the sea reminded of Hollywood movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. I was so stunned to see that quality of vfx making it so real!!

Coming to the actors in this, KADAL marked the debut of two star-kids. KARTHIK's son GAUTAM and actress RADHA's second daughter TULSI. They could not have asked for a greater opening than this. Gautam has some allu arjun mannerisms but other than that he looks promising. Tulsi needs an acting workshop/course before she moves on . it was so delighting to see the wonderful actors ARAVIND SAMI and ARJUN on screen again.

KADAL has very few characters only and they were very limited in the script. It seemed as if they had not much to do in the story. Screenplay could have been much better and powerful. May be the Director Sir wanted to concentrate more on the emotion side of the story rather than the actual story.. who knows??

I am no one to talk about it.

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.

KADAL(2013)

This is the film that I am waiting (a completely uncompromised original film) since long time (after Amritha) from Mani Ratnam. I feel it is near to his own heart and have true literary values and philosophy of life. It is more deeper than it seems. We must surrender to its magic to know it. It is an experience which I never imagined. Total surprise. Totally unique. Totally revolutionary. The film touches the soul, inner cores of heart. What an unbelievable experience...

Mani Ratnam is auteur...we shouldn't expect same from him again and again. Sometimes he is beyond our imagination and ability of understanding. We should be preparing for a total surprise.

What I mostly liked in this film is music of life, sadness in life, divinity in life. Way of life is mysterious. Now we can believe one can be transformed; one can grow in a life time. The film gives that hope to humanity. The world needs love and forgiveness. The people talk about these things are rare. That is why we respect Mani Ratnam. He expressed these true values of life in this film. They are subtle and deep. Sometime difficult to grasp.

Boy fishing scene is beautiful and beautiful and climax fight is technically superior and fearful. He used highest technical values for this fight. And it is not only a fight; he incorporated in it philosophy, and positivity of life.

Man is far higher entity than what he imagined about him. There is greatness in him hidden. Life will bring it out, sometimes forcefully. It is the way of life. We compare this story with world's greatest writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy's short story "Saint Sargai", for its philosophy and literary standards. This kind of films are rare in India.

Great music, great visuals and sheer poetry…it is KADAL.