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.

After the amazing VTV , NEP had a great expectation among his fans and many others who detest Gautam style of movie making. Thanks to the inclusion of the Maestro in the team which made many to give this flick a try. But coming to the movie did it live to all its pre-release hype ??? I doubt it !!!!! There was something fundamentally missing in the movie since it started. Romantic flick depends on moments of love, which was lost in most part of the movie. Agreed there are misunderstandings among the couple, but come on give us a break !!!! It seems Gautam directed with this tubular vision, misunderstanding and ego clash builds up the relation. I was waiting for some yearning moments which happened in some set pieces, but there is no connecting thread between these set pieces. All I could see is Varun and Nithya coming together and moving apart and the reason, well you don't need a hard hitting reason for break up, but at least some poignant moments which we could empathize for the couple. The way in which he shot certain sequences was commendable, like the pre-interval break up, it was almost 5-6 min without any break or take, but here also the camera was moving up and down, with no chance of seeing the protagonist emotions. Both Jeeva and Samantha did justice to their portrayal of Varun and Nithya, but that could not sustain till the very end of the movie. Samantha was amazing, probably this could be her best till date, especially the sisters wedding scene !!! Jeeva was grim in all the scene, may be thats what the director has expected of him !!!! And songs, there is no doubts about the quality of the songs which was already a chart buster but the BGM was not the maestros best. This review might seem to be biased to many Gautam fans based on the popular view of the movie in the general public, but being an ardent fan of Gautam Vasudeva Menon I had great expectations from him in this movie, probably that could also be a reason for me getting disappointed after seeing it All I could say is NEP lacked the charm, warmth and heart which was in abundance in VTV. After seeing NEP I came back and saw VTV twice that night to savor the romance !!! Finally a word, there was a magic moment in all his earlier venture be it Kakha Kakha, Minnale or VTV, but that moment was sorely missing in NEP !!!!

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....

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

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 :)