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.

Being an ardent Mani movie follower and an avid AR music lover I couldn't afford to miss Kadal, and didn't. Expectations ran high; and for a while with a thunderous opening sequence and a riveting exhilarating first half, the film held fort, only to fall away gradually in the second half and by the climax sequences and the anticlimaxes, the collapse was complete.

The film does start off well with the much Mani Ratnam traversed- social discard, orphaned child growing up in a low key environment - path, not very dissimilar to Nayakan or Thalapathy, and promises a lot while establishing the premises of how the light of good and the claws of evil manipulates the rawness of youth and innocence of love. But one couldn't escape the feeling that the master story teller having penned the film, had failed to draw starkly the lines of the characters, a task which he is usually so accomplished at, in particular that of the heroine and to some extent that of the antagonist. Incomprehensible is the heroine's character, and unjustifiable the antagonist's; both of whom the audience fail to identify with, and the method in the madness unbelievably unacceptable.

The film does go on however, shouldered by excellent performances by the artists, Arvind Swamy the stand out, Arjun, an admirable transformation in spite of a few hollow links, and a very commendable Gautham Karthik.

To his rescue Mani does have an ever reliable AR Rahman whose magic outscores the film itself, though with Nenjukkulle and Moongilthottam, it appears one song too many, but then no one is complaining; and the dependable Rajeev Menon whose visual treat had the audience in trance for more than a handful of occasions, with the hitherto unseen splendorous portrayal of Kadal(The sea) in all its enormity, tranquility, majesty and menace.

An appropriate end to the story seemed out of reach of the director, and the climax appeared tweaked, more an emotional compromise than a logical culmination; thus ruining the foundation of the story itself; and leaving many stones unturned and many fates undecided.

The film ends however, not before the audience is enthralled by some magical Mani moments - the burial scene, the tape recorder scene and the birth scene to name a few – but sadly you go back taking a few moments with yourself; and not the movie.

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