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!!
