Maamannan Review – Rediff.com – Rediff.com
Maamannan might have been so significantly better with an alternate lead actor and a tighter, extra gripping storytelling, sighs a disenchanted Divya Nair.
Pariyerum Perumal. Peranbu. Karnan. Mari Selvaraj is thought to have directed some actually heart-wrenching socio-political dramas with easy however spectacular tales and inspirational metaphors.
His newest Tamil movie Maamannan, that includes Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh, launched in theatres on Friday.
In Mumbai, I struggled to e book a ticket on Sunday as a result of there was just one present and it was virtually full. And why not? The thrill to observe Mari direct FaFa is justified.
In his personal manufacturing, Udhayanidhi Stalin options as Athiveeran, an MLA’s son, who teaches Adimurai, a conventional martial artwork. He additionally rescues pigs and takes care of them on a farm near his residence. We’re advised that it has been 15 years since he spoke to his father Maamannan (Vadivelu) though they reside beneath the identical roof.
Maamannan works with Rathnavel (Fahadh Faasil), an boastful entrepreneur and politician who enjoys organising canine races for cash.
When Athiveeran’s faculty mate Leela (Keerthy) and associates search his assist to arrange a free teaching institute, he presents to allow them to prepare at his academy. Quickly Leela’s institute is attacked by mobs from a rival teaching institute operated by Rathnavel’s elder brother Shanmugavel. Adiveeran and associates retaliate by damaging Shanmugavel’s institute. This irks Rathnavel.
Figuring out that Athiveeran is Maamannan’s son, he summons father and son for a truce assembly.
Athiveeran notices the best way Rathnavel mistreats his father (Azhagam Perumal) and realises how helpless his personal father has been.
One factor results in one other and shortly, Rathnavel and Maamannan are pitted towards one another to struggle the elections and show their supremacy.
Whereas Rathnavel and co deploy unscrupulous means to destroy Maamannan and group, Athiveeran and Maamananan rekindle their father-son bond and unite to struggle for justice of the much less lucky who’ve been wronged by the hands of the higher caste Rathnavel and his father.
The story line is attention-grabbing, however not participating sufficient.
By the point you attain the interval, you are feeling so drained that you just need to seize a espresso to maintain awake.
And the rationale for this drained feeling is Udayanidhi Stalin. He’s such a nasty selection for the lead function that you just realise his sketches of flying pigs and canines are extra animated than all his feelings put collectively.
Because the younger boy who misplaced his associates and disadvantaged of justice after they selected to wash in a temple pond, there isn’t a expression of angst, annoyance or vengeance.
In truth, in one of many dance sequences when Leela presents to hug him, it took me some time to grasp that she might be doing so to console him. As a result of this lead man’s face tells us completely nothing of what he’s considering, feeling or planning on doing subsequent.
So what retains us going? Fahadh Faasil, because the ruthless, poster boy of all issues evil, grinning-ear-to ear and stirring up a melting pot of feelings.
While you watch him stroll out of the room wearing a crisp white shirt dotted with blood stains splattered throughout his face, contemporary from his newest crime of ardour, his eyes show no regret.
In stark reverse, now we have Vadivelu, essaying a job crammed with persistence, fatherly feelings and compassion.
These two actors maintain Mari’s movie and hold it afloat for some time.
Like in all of his earlier movies, there are a number of scenes of assault and violence right here as properly.
Amongst all of them, the flashback scene during which some boys are stoned to loss of life actually stands out. The delicate imagery of higher caste males dominating and trying to overthrow the helpless younger boys will wrench your coronary heart. You then discover one of many boys scrambling to the floor — he is bleeding however not prepared to stop, virtually like a picture of hope and lightweight amongst darkness.
It is a scene that may stick with you.
Mari exploits the picture of white and black in equal measure to convey an necessary metaphor of inequality.
When Maamannan seeks justice from Sundaram, he’s seen sporting a black shirt.
As soon as he involves energy, he dons white and even presents his guests, younger and outdated, ladies and men, telling them to stay seated whereas chatting with him. Nonetheless, he hesitates to be seated in entrance of Rathnavel or his father, as an unstated rule of inbuilt oppression and hypocrisy in society.
Though Vadivelu does point out about how he was addressed as ‘mannu‘ (that means mud/soil), a sign of delicate bullying, and the way his son impressed him to struggle for his dignity, the impression is lacking.
Among the many supporting forged, Keerthy Suresh seems beautiful because the fearless Leela and breathes life into her scenes displaying power and restraint wherever needed.
The screenplay and cinematography is spectacular.
Whereas Mari as soon as once more delves into caste oppression as his theme, the execution someway lacks the finesse and empathy explored in his former tasks.
Maamannan might have been so significantly better with an alternate lead actor and a tighter, extra gripping story.
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