Movie Reviews
Singakutty.

Mar 22, 2008, 23:16

When a director decides to launch a high profile youngster as an action and romantic hero with a typical and clichéd ‘masala’ film, there is little that you could expect from the film in terms of finesse and content.

Director A. Venkatesh, who is known for formulaic masala flicks, has come out with a story that is split in to two parts as romance and thriller. While the first half deals with the romantic track, the second half is dedicated to the thriller element filled with abduction drama and the bomb threat.

The story has nothing new to write about. A happy-go-lucky youth (Sivaji, the grand son of Sivaji Ganesan) wants to become an SI in police department. Since the first scene itself shows you that he has become an SI, there is no suspense or drama in the run up to reach the position. Yet the movie tries to hold your attention by telling you in the beginning that the hero, heading to his home town Madurai after getting the appointment order, is in for a big danger in Madurai.

Instead of going ahead to narrate the danger, the movie goes back to the past of the boy to tell you his background.

It is a typical lower middle class family in Madurai, with a mother (Saranya in a familiar role) and a sister pouring affection on the protagonist. The mother wants him to become a police officer and the boy is on the right track to make her dream a reality.

Meanwhile he gets into trouble by seeing a beautiful girl (Gowri Minjal) but end up winning over her heart after some heroic fights. He even gets the nod from the rich father of the girl but his mother wants him to get married only after becoming an SI. Then he goes to Chennai where he gets his appointment order after completing an adventurous mission. He is now heading to Madurai as a happy person, who has fulfilled his mother’s desire. 

When everything seems to be alright, a new villain emerges and makes the life hell for the hero. The hero is put into a disastrous mission by the villain. He cannot refuse to do that, as his mother, sister, and the lover are in the clutches of the villain, who seems to have a well knit network.

The rest of the movie says how the protagonist succeeds in saving his family and millions of people.

Though there is no point in pointing out the loopholes and flaws in the script, as the director has made it clear that he wants to make a masala and nothing else, certain absurdities cannot be left without being mentioned. The scene the lovers go out for an outing, in which the girl is found ‘missing’ is ridiculous. What happened to their cell phones, through which they could have sought help from others? How come the father takes his daughter without the knowledge of the boy, who was sleeping near by?
 
You can keep on raising many questions regarding the ‘bomb’ episode and the climax in which the hero does everything within 20 minutes. How does the father of the girl accept the boy, who jumps into fights just at the drop of a hat?

The director, however, has executed a few scenes before and after the intermission point well. The mystery over the new villain is maintained well up to some extent. He has also succeeded in projecting the young Sivaji as a potential hero material.

Sivaji, the grand son of legendary actor Nadigar Thilagam hasn’t tried to make an entry as his grand father did fifty six years ago. In other words, the young Sivaji hasn’t attempted to ‘act’ or tried to establish him as a performer. It seems he has tried to be known as a mass hero, who dances, fights, and romances. He has made some impact in all these departments but he has to pay more attention on his body language and facial expressions, which dilute his efforts up to some extent.

Gowri Munjal, who made her entry in to Kollywood in 'Thottal Poo Malarum' (the launch pad of another young hero, Sakthi), does perfectly what is expected from her – providing glamour to the film. She looks good – excepting in some close up shots that betray the wrinkles in her face – and oozes sex appeal with ease.
 
Vivek’s comedy track involving actress Malavika, doesn’t pass muster. His one-liners have become predictable. The comedian must think something new to maintain his position in the field. Smart looking Malavika, appearing as Malavika, sizzles in a song.

One wishes that Saranya gets some new roles to perform. Avinash as the father of the girl looks majestic but fails to impress in a half backed character. Anal Arasu and Guna as villains impress with their credible performances.

Music by Prasanna Sekar is one of the plus points of the movie. All the tunes are hummable with the enticing ‘Enda Ratchasa’ standing out.

Stunts (Kanal Kannan and Anal Arasu), cinematography (R.D Rajasekar), choreography (Brinda and Tharunkumar), and editing (Antony) have added strength to the movie.

Overall, ‘Singakkutty’, though lacking finesse and coherence, has the ingredients to become a hit and it could prove to be a decent launch pad for the young Sivaji.