Movie: Friends

Director: Siddique
Cast: Vijay, Surya, Devayani, Vijayalakshmi, Vadivelu, Ramesh Khanna, Abhinayashri, Shriman, Charlie.

It is a fairly engaging entertainer with the first part moving at a fast pace with ribtickling humour and slapstick comedy thrown in. The second half has a jerky narration, the smooth transition of the original somehow missing in the remake.

Here is one film where one can really enjoy Vadivelu's comedy. As the contractor in charge of whitewashing and painting Devayani's palatial bungalow, and stuck with a gang of bumbling assistants, Vadivelu is spontaneous and hilarious. And can take the major credit for making the first half really enjoyable.

Vijay, Surya and Ramesh Khanna are childhood friends. Vijay falls for Devayani and mistakenly believes that she reciprocates his love. Abhinayashri, who is none other than Devayani's jealous cousin, creates the mischief. When Devayani's marriage is finalized with another, friend Surya takes up for Vijay and publicly questions her betrayal. A furious Devayani, humiliated in public, vows to get even with Surya and consents to marry Vijay.

Vijay's cousin Shriman, who had his eyes on Vijay's sister Vijayalakshmi, tries to create more bad blood between the friends when he realises that she loved Surya. Surya is told that his brother's death a decade back was due to Vijay's carelessness. A disillusioned Surya parts ways with his friend and joins the army. A weak link in the plot is seen here. Five years later he returns and in a dramatic finale the whole matter is resolved.

Vijay lets the others hog the show for the most part, but his intensity comes through even as he plays a supportive role in the earlier scenes. The actor is his own self in the closing scenes. Surya puts in a good effort in handling a very emotional role, but needs to polish his 'teary' expressions. The modern look suits Devayani while debutant Vijayalakshmi is sparkling and vivacious.