Sunday, February 24, 2008

Nenjathai killathey movie review

Cast: Vikranth, Bharathi, Vikramadhitya, Manivannan, Saranya

Direction: Ahathian

Music: Premji Gangai Amaran

Production: Blue Waters Movie Makers
If there is one thing Tamil movies can’t do without, it is churning out movies with love as a central theme. But director Ahathian has proved to Tamil filmdom that love is possible even in clichéd, shopworn circumstances with his Kadhal Kottai, which somehow made the subject of courtship and love once again suspenseful and interesting to a jaded audience. As the title suggests, Nenjathai Killadhe is a poetic love story subtly told. And yet it isn’t without all the inevitable melodrama that is a staple in our films. But even a realistic portrayal of love such as the one here can at times fail to strike a chord with the audience.

The plot revolves around a young couple with extremely opposite interests. Vasan is stinking rich and hunts for unusual experiences, while Anandhi, a documentary filmmaker, is equally rich. Their paths cross and they develop an interest in each other - alas only to play games with each others emotions, letting ego override love.Nenjathai feels like it’s revisiting Ahathian’s earlier love-hate-love version of the Prashanth starrer Kaadhal Kavithai. (Minus the plush London locales and an ensemble star cast, of course). No wonder it’s tough to stifle a yawn when the movie treads its way to being predictably boring. However, a twist in the climax makes up for this a little bit, although one can’t figure out what the director was attempting with such a climax.

Ahathian knows how to evoke empathy and he uses dialogue to do this. His dialogues resonate with the yearning and frustration of today’s youth. However, since they gobble a major part of the script, they, too, eventually prove to be one more source of tedium in the movie.Vikranth and Bharathi are a perfect fit for their respective roles and share an impeccable chemistry. Saranya as the mother is particularly good, especially in a scene set in a restaurant- when she realizes that Vikranth, the hero, is her stepson. Although Premji Amaran has scored seven songs, only Nera Varattuma Illa Kaadhal Anuppava sung by Prasanna and Mahathi is hummable. Yugendran’s background score doesn’t really blend with the flow of the movie and proves to be a drag in many scenes, save for a few.J.N. Harsha’s editing saves the movie from slumping too much. Cinematographer D. Shankar’s close-up shots are a delight to watch, as are the song sequences.

Ahathian’s Nenjathai Killadhe may not be for everyone; however, if you are the kind who likes reading a book on a quiet, uninterrupted afternoon, chances are that you might like it.

Verdict: Love – Love again

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