Kottukkaali

Kottukkaali (2024): A Poignant Look at Patriarchy with a Powerful Performance from Soori

"Kottukkaali" is a Tamil film that tackles complex themes of patriarchy and gender inequality within the framework of a simple family drama. While the storyline may not be filled with twists and turns, the film's impact resonates deeply due to its nuanced storytelling and a powerful performance from Soori.

Soori delivers a career-defining performance as Paandi, a man deeply entrenched in patriarchal beliefs. His portrayal is both nuanced and captivating, showcasing the internal conflicts of a character grappling with societal pressures and his own rigid mindset.

The film's cinematography is beautiful, capturing the rural landscapes of Tamil Nadu with stunning visuals. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for a gradual unfolding of the characters' emotional journeys and the underlying tensions within the family.

While "Kottukkaali" may not offer easy answers or a conventional resolution, it leaves a lasting impact with its unflinching portrayal of social realities and its celebration of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection and sparking conversations about the deep-rooted issues it addresses.

However, the film's deliberate pace and lack of dramatic twists may not appeal to all viewers. Some may find the narrative slow and lacking in excitement. While the film's message is powerful, its impact may be diluted for those seeking a more conventional cinematic experience.

Let's start with Soori's whirlwind of a performance, then transition to Anna Ben's big breakout. Wonderful right? Sure, why not? Let's give them the solace of performance. Now, I'll take a dramatic pause before beginning (the director certainly took a few). What on earth did I watch? Whether or not Meena was possessed, Vinothraj certainly was. With shades of Sathyajit Ray, Vinothraj promises a Pather Panchali-esque viewing experience minus the Pather Panchali.

You read that right. A lack of sympathy, heartfelt emotion, dialogue, and god forbid Vinothraj adds a soundtrack. While the themes and symbolism hit the spot from an artistic view, such a film would be best kept in an exhibition, or better yet, a museum. Promising nothing apart from a subtle twist, a few gripping scenes, and some impeccable cinematography, the film lacks substance. Of course, it'll be raved on by pseudo-cinephiles in the hopes of putting on a cultured facade, but personally, I can see through the shallow attempt at garnering praise.

Too many overhead shots of Soori simply walking, or other characters doing absolutely nothing. One must ask themselves, have the principles of Chekov's gun vanished from modern era filmmaking?

The symbols are fine, the film, however, is not.

It is great to see such a film being released in mainstream Tamil cinema. For the first time, I can say that I have witnessed something of international art film standards being released in mainstream cinema with good expectations among the audience. I wonder if the audience for whom this movie was made would actually be able to relish it, or rather, I ask whether they are ready to engage with the questions and thoughts this movie raises.

This movie reminds me of a Turkish film called Once Upon a Time in Anatolia. That movie isn't about the journey the characters embark on at the start, but rather about the lives of the characters that led to this journey and the lives of all the people of Anatolia. Similarly, Kottukkaali isn't about the journey these characters embark on; rather, it's about their life in their village and their customs.

Having lived in the suburbs of Madurai/Dindigul for about a year, I have closely observed the behavior of the people around here and could easily connect to so many things shown in the movie. They are portrayed accurately and beautifully.

This movie would surely be a good watch on any OTT platform while watching alone, but I am unsure if the B and C center theater audiences would actually enjoy this, in contrast to the commercial content they are accustomed to consuming.

Cinema educates you, cinema enhances your mind, cinema liberates you. Kottukkaali is good cinema. Interestingly, the English title of this movie, The Adamant Girl, adds more context to the understanding.

If you've read my review of PS Vinoth Raj's debut feature, Koozhangal (Pebbles), you know how highly I respect his work. I was eagerly anticipating his sophomore film, drawn in by the poster and looking forward to it. I must also thank the Kurosawa die-hard (lol) Mysskin for his ammo like promotions. And most importantly, thanks to Siva Kartikeyan for backing this as a producer; it's a daring experiment, and I hope we see many more masterpieces from his production house.

The trailer offered a glimpse into the film's thematic depth, with Anna Ben's character, Meena, gazing at a tethered rooster. This visual metaphor clearly conveyed Meena's emotional and social entrapment, mirroring the rooster's physical confinement. In the intro, we see a glimpse of her face, a bindi on her forehead, and she looks helpless, like a dead corpse. People in the house claim she is possessed by a spirit after wandering alone somewhere.

Soori, who has a great stint departing from his comedic roles, delivered a powerful performance. His character's misogynistic internal turmoil was subtly but effectively conveyed. He rages when Meena hums lines from a popular Tamil romantic song. It seems Meena is not the one who is possessed, but rather the other way around.

I was captivated by the young boy in the auto who was compassionately feeding rice to a rooster. He seemed the only rational adult in the film, and his warm smile towards Meena after the road rage incident was heartwarming. The film also introduced a young girl who appeared to be a younger version of Meena. A particularly striking scene involved a close-up of Pandi's eye, with dirt caught in it. His sister's ingenious use of her tongue which is shown in a close up to remove it was a brilliantly staged moment. Even the young girl with the bull, who for me personally symbolized Meena and freedom, was striking. In fact, there's a shot of Meena in an open field with her hair flowing freely that speaks volumes and totally contrasting to her present state. The auto rickshaw itself is filled with religious imagery, adding to the overarching theme of the film.

Anna Ben's portrayal of Meena was a masterclass in silent suffering, her eyes conveying a depth of emotional torment with few striking surreal shots. The film's cinematography was visually poetic, capturing the stark beauty of the rural landscape while highlighting the character's isolation and despair. The absence of a traditional soundtrack enhanced the film's contemplative atmosphere, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the characters' experiences.

One of the film's best scenes is the ritual performed by the shaman in the temple. This sequence is both humorous and unsettling, highlighting the absurdity of superstition and the fear it can instill. Additionally, the film's use of symbolism is particularly effective. The rooster, for instance, represents Meena's entrapment, while the temple bells evoke a sense of mysticism and emotional turmoil. These symbolic elements enrich the narrative and contribute to the film's overall thematic depth.

Overall, Kottukalli is a powerful and essential voice in contemporary cinema, offering a profound exploration of themes without resorting to watered-down portrayals or excessive feminist rhetoric. The open-ended climax leaves the audience to decide Meena's fate and the journey, making it a truly unforgettable and moving experience for the patient viewer.

True story telling of a very existing social issue in southern and in many parts of India.

Another gutsy attempt by the director.

Lots of symbolism.

Girl trying to change her mind and the guy did too.

Fored marriages are still common and the entitlement and control shown by men is very existent.

This movie shows this sensitive topic in a simple way with great sense of reality and southern based realistic satirical humor.

All the actors - at times hard to tell they are acting rather in a real trip to get the girl sanitized of her demon- Love.

Thank you Team.

Tamil movies are touching great heights.

This movie is one example.