‘Thalaikoothal’ movie review: Jayaprakash’s film on senicide is simply outstanding

Kalaiselvan and Samuthirakani in a nonetheless from ‘Thalaikoothal’
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association

When is one thought-about alive? Is it when they’re absolutely functioning, bodily and mentally, and are acutely aware of it? Or does it have extra to do with the life pressure inside us? What if somebody is in a state of comatose, however their thoughts is alive with recollections of the life they led? In Thalaikoothal, his most indulgent and in depth work up to now, writer-director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan fearlessly tells a compelling story a few man’s battle to save lots of his comatose father, and thru that, he lets us ponder over many of those questions.

Jayaprakash is in full management of the narrative; Thalaikoothal has each signature aspect that his debut movie Lens and his mumblecore movie The Mosquito Philosophy had. His tales have psychological depth, his characters discover themselves battling existential questions, and he dares to select matters that we’re all conscious of however not advised to. Lens was in regards to the sheer inhumanity of pornography, whereas The Mosquito Philosophy explored the social stigma round late marriages. Thalaikoothal talks about senicide (the killing of the aged), and whereas it’s regular right here to anticipate a narrative a few father-son relationship, Jayaprakash’s movie grows to be greater than that and we see the story by means of the eyes of the coma affected person. 

It’s the seamless and artistic transitions that impress us first. Particulars of the setting (it’s a village in Thirunelveli) and the interval of the movie aren’t stuffed in. Within the very first scene of the movie, we see Pazhani (Samuthirakani) cleansing up his father Muthu (Kalaiselvan) earlier than arguing along with his spouse Kalai (Vasundhara), who can not take sufficient of the life that this unlucky scenario has been forcing her to guide.

In a matter of some minutes, lots is conveyed by means of dialogues, and data is drip-fed to the viewers. Pazhani is bored with Kalai and her household’s request to euthanise his father for the betterment of the household’s monetary scenario (Pazhani is unable to get again to working). With rising debt tightening his neck, Pazhani holds onto his religion in his father and believes that issues can get simpler when his father comes again to normalcy.

On a parallel observe, Muthu is subconsciously dreaming and remembering the life that he (Kathir performs the youthful Muthu) led along with his lover Pechi (Katha Nandi), a younger lady from an oppressed caste. Love was what made Muthu really feel alive, and it’s pretty how it’s this love and its a number of complexities that drive the plot ahead. For the whole lot of its 160-minute period, each these narratives journey, with the transitions and interconnections between them making for surreal visible imagery. For example, Muthu, having heard subconsciously in regards to the euthanasia technique of repeatedly feeding tender coconut water, desires of drowning in a pond of coconut water. 

Apparently, this screenplay construction that brings collectively surreal imagery and truth is likely one of the many similarities that this movie shares with Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Iñárritu’s Oscar-nominated 2022 characteristic, Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths. Even there, it was a life on edge that appears again at some surreal recollections, and the connection {that a} man shares along with his little one and his father performed a central position as effectively.

It is usually really commendable how, regardless of placing ahead so many arguments from each side, Thalaikoothal by no means takes a selected stand within the debate round euthanasia. It by no means antagonises Kalai and her household, regardless of Pazhani and Muthu being the protagonists who’re actually combating to save lots of a life. She fights for her company and inclusion within the decision-making of the household, and questions the blind hope that Pazhani has in his father’s restoration. If Pazhani has the fitting to query the ethics of what his spouse proposes, she has the fitting to take care of her personal future, one during which she doesn’t need to battle for on a regular basis survival. So, what, in any case, is the answer? The way in which the movie treads that is good, given how there appears to be no strong reply to this debate particularly when socio-economic components are at play.

Thalaikoothal has numerous ambiguity, and that works lots in its favour. It’s pretty to see a filmmaker who takes his time to present simply the correct amount of data for the viewers to construct the story together with the storyteller. Jayaprakash additionally manages to deliver out pulsating performances from his lead actors like Samuthrakani, Kathir, Kalaiselvan, and Vasundhara. However it’s the sound designer of the movie, Rajesh, who deserves the larger piece of the cake. You wouldn’t consider it if somebody mentioned that this movie was shot all through utilizing sync sound. Kannan Narayanan’s music solely provides to the constant tone of the movie.

In all probability, the one subject which may have an effect on a less-informed viewers is the size of the movie. There’s hardly any breather on this lengthy movie, and the sequences with infused magical realism have an opportunity of rubbing many the incorrect manner. Nonetheless, on reflection, there isn’t a single scene that doesn’t add worth to the expertise. There’s loads of symbolism, metaphors, and gorgeous visible imagery to even warrant a second watch.

Above all, watching Samuthirakani ace a task like that is an absolute deal with.

Thalaikoothal is ready to launch in theatres on February 3