Neethaane En Ponvasantham

This was one among the most awaited movie of the season for the following reasons. The return of Gautham Vasudev Menon to rise above the success of his previous outing ' Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya', Buzz created by the soothing rhythms of Ilayaraaja and the on screen chemistry of Jiiva & Samantha in teasers. So were the expectations satisfied? Let's see it at the end.

The whole movie had a feel of a mash up between a sitcom and a musical which was very new to the audience. The never changing attitude of the pair (literally) plays the villain in this romantic story. In fact we shouldn't blame the director for this because within 15 minutes of the movie, there is a dialogue by Samantha (Nithya) which goes like the core character of a person is fixed by the time he/she celebrates second birthday. So by that logic, the protagonists never change their attitude or their way of approach in mending their lost love. Though logical, it was excruciating for us to sit through the climax and watch them brood over their failed connect in the same manner again and again.

Santhanam plays a mellowed down, friend of protagonist role and he largely succeeds by his timing and body language. In fact he pushes the movie through scenes which would have been dampener without him.

The classic dilemma of a boy from middle class is well brought out by Jiiva (Varun) and it could have been portrayed much better, for his character is not well written as Samantha's. The Director does go overboard with evoking nostalgia factor, and it makes us wonder if we are watching a Murali or Mohan movie of early 90s in select scenes. Though the songs were wonderful to hear, the placement of the songs in the second half tested our patience and it played spoilsport in understanding the intensity of the feel that was supposed to be created between the protagonists.

On the whole, NEP fares a bit low when compared to its nemesis VTV because of its shoddy character development and asynchronous writing. Climax aids its descent in audience satisfaction graph to a new low making them squirm in their seats. Instead of making the audience feel passionately about Varun and Nithya to reunite, the shoddy climax makes the audience go ballistic, for them to unite so that the movie would end.

Hence the conclusion is, though the expectations were all satisfied in various degrees; still the overall feel among moviegoers is bit damp for they were felt letdown by the director for his haphazard climax Yet the best part is the arrival of Samantha as an able actress to play a pivotal role in a movie and she deserves due appreciation for it.

NEP : Still qualifies to be an Ideal Date movie, but take care to guard her ears from the verbal abuses in theatre, towards the end of the movie.

Actually to start with I am a big fan of the director's work right from minnale,Kaakha Kaakha,Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu,Vaaranum Aayirum, VTV and now this movie has topped the list.

After listening to all the mixed reviews from friends and internet, I initially was puzzled (Before seeing the movie).So to check it out myself, I booked the tickets for the movie and went to the movie with my friend. For your information " I have watched Varanum Aayirum, Kaakha Kaakha, Vettaiyaadu Velaiyaadu and VTV the First day of the movie release. For all the above movies I had liked the way the directors narration and his choice of music. So, before I reached for the theater I had listened to all the songs of the movie and they had stroked a chord in me. And all that I had in my mind was, its GVM's movie and after a long time Isaignani has composed music for it which makes it even more special and was more than enough for me to head to the theater.

While the movie started I clearly has no idea of what it was going to be and I serious was before the screen without any kind of eyes shining expectation. As the movie started I really started enjoying the movie and its unique way of narration with the songs. The one thing that went echoing on my mind was "How could people not enjoy the movie??, its unique narration and one of its kind..!!" Both Samantha and Jeeva have played as Nithya and Varun have done their best might. Especially, Samantha was just mind-blowing with her expressions and acting. She has lived as nithya vasudevan and totally took the screen presence over jeeva in many places. Santhanams timing comedy has made the movie even more enjoyable.

The best part of the movies is its BGM's and Songs which actually has driven the movie like the director (GVM) says in many interviews. The director has treated the story genuinely without any little consideration of commercialization to make it a box office hit like other directors do expect bala, maniratham and vetri maaran. Actually we people should have to accept the fact that he has tried out something really different and unique he stands out of the crowd. Salute to the brave attempt.

I hear people say " Its a slow paced film, Yes it's a romance-drama movie and it is entitles to its own pace do you expect it to have all the crap features that these mas ala movies incorporate these day that you have used to watching all these years or what??. One a full moon day, if you are traveling down a riverside in boat with your lady love the only possible way that you enjoy the ride is to ride slowly spending some quality time with her, not through flying in a helicopter understand difference. Its quite obvious that most of GVM's love movies are slow paced, you have chose to watch it knowing them all. If you're ignorant am sorry for you. Plus, it's the way its meant to be.

I just loved the second half and its narration, I hear people saying " There is always songs that is coming repeatedly and in-between scenes" Yes, people that is the best and beautiful part and which I loved and enjoyed the most out of it. The placement of the songs in the second half is an outstanding piece of work by GVM and Antony, hats off for both of them.

In the climax, when all the conversation ends and they both kiss the BGM of The Isaignani comes in.. Man, I was speechless and Out of the world, he has lived up to the standards. A Royal Salute to The Maestro, We love you as always..

Above all the feeling that I had after watching the movie made me overwhelmed with a everlasting feeling of love and a self pleasing state of delightfulness. For which I watched the movie for 6 times in theater.

At the nutshell, from the bottom of my heart I loved the movie and strictly for those to know the meaning of in-depth love and its pain.

P.S Thank you GVM sir for such a great movie, always a fan for your works. This is my very first review about a flick. Excuse me if you happen to find any flaws.

The Best Romance movie of the Year 2012. From my point of view. Rating : 5/5

Neethane En Ponvasantham (NEP) (2012) Review:

Eventually the movie is in the reception of mixed reviews and with zero expectations I watched the movie and ended up in giving this review of mine.

The usual Gautam Vasudev Menon's style romantic movie with his usual ingredients like coffee shop love, Engineering college student love, artificial Mom and Dad with semi English -Tamil accent, lovers blaming each other for their failure relationship . Evidently this story is not so new it is the usual patch up – breakup lover's tale (strictly don't expect any twists more than this). Jiva and Samantha play the lead roles in the movie as Varun and Nithya. Where though Samantha's acting is not so matured but her blush is cute. Jiva tries to imitate the usual Gautam's lover boy series (Surya- VaranamAyiram, Simbhu-VTV, Madahvan-Minnale). Santhanam tries to create comedy crackers but eventually that was not so helpful to glue yourself to the seats. Music by Illaiyaraja makes up for the length of the movie and the album as on a whole didn't meet the hype and buzz created during the release when we compare it to Gautam's previous albums from VTV, Varanam Ayiram, Minalae (all of them are really cherish able all time music).The cinematography was too random in the movie and so many times the focus on the characters was not so clear (example the crucial apartment open top talk scene). These things make the movie a strict one time watch. Some say that this is characters relate type movie (where you could relate it to your life) and a strict romantic movie for lovers and newly married people. But trust me enter at your own risk. Bottom line: If VTV was the main love brand movie. Then Minnalae and Varanam Ayiram was a prequel and NEP is a sequel.

-Reviewed by SivakumarBalachandran (bsiva84@gmail.com)

Neethaane En Ponvasantham: Wow!!!! Another wonderful movie from Gautham Vasudev Menon.... Once again a sensible love story and A feel good movie... Sure many people wont like this movie(like VTV).... But while seeing this film, oru sema feel... chance-less....

santhanam comedy is superb and very very very funny...

jeeva n samantha acting is awesome.. the chemistry between them wrkd well..Maestro rocks in BGM...

The movie is really a slow-pace movie, only few people will like this film like VTV. The main thing is, the people who likes this film knws "what is in-depth love"... If u liked VTV, don't miss this one....

Appreciations to Gautam.

This movie is indeed someone's love story.

Credits to Gautam who has nicely crafted & portrayed this film.It is excellent piece of narration which can be felt by few who had similar story in their life.

Background score & music adds much value to a script and none other than Ilayaraja can give this feeling. Thanks to Gautam who realized this well and bring contemporary musical retreat to Isaignani fans.

Samantha deserved this film and this has definitely revealed her talent.It would be one of her best movies and its obvious she would get more opportunities in upcoming flicks.

Jiva though this film not suit him (poignant character) he has done his assignment pretty well. Santhanam good for his renowned timing jokes who contributed well for this film.

Finally ,thanks Gautam ..for the 1st time ever in my life,u made me to scribble this review :)