Movie: Manuneethi

Director: Thambi Ramaiya
Cast: Murali, Napoleon, Nasser, Prathyusha, Anjani Thakker, G.R., Vadivelu

Muthazhagu, a true patriot, had fought against the British, had gone to jail, and is a man much honoured and respected by the villagers. So when he commits an indiscrete act the whole village is shocked. But they forgive him, for it was an act committed under the influence of liquor. And the villagers were to an extent responsible for it. They had invited the village elder to join in their celebrations on his return from prison. It was while he was returning home in an inebriated condition, that the wrongful act had happened. He had seduced a village girl. His wife who always supported him sticks by him this time too and even takes to heart the girl born of the alliance. The only disgruntled element in this scenario is the village girl's uncle Vellaiyan (Nasser) who would have married her but for this misfortune. Vellaiyan demands justice but is insulted and humiliated by the villagers who take up for the village elder. The man vows revenge and gets his chance twenty years later when his nephew, sharing a deep bond with him, woos the landlord's daughter and abandons her on her wedding day. All on the uncle's advise. The nephew (Murali) ignorant of his uncle's motives finds out the truth later. His admiration for Muthazhagu, love for the girl, and attachment to his uncle makes him attempt to bring about a re-conciliation between the two warring factions, which were threatening to turn into a fight between the two villages.

The screenplay is well etched with the right dose of humour, action and sentiment. It is only in the second half that the director gets a bit distracted and includes new characters, like some villains who have an eye on the girl and plan to kidnap her, etc. This is one film where Vadivelu really makes one laugh with his comic antics. The scene where he and Murali escape the wrath of the villagers and run for their lives, and get lost in the village quagmire is hilarious. It is a controlled and a dignified performance from Napoleon as the man with the cross to bear. Murali handles the light as well as the emotional scenes with credibility. Nasser is impressive as the man with a vendetta in his heart. Prathyusha is just about adequate in her debut performance. Anjani Thakker has not much to do except follow the hero in the earlier scenes and then face rejection. G.R. (the film's producer) leaves a mark as Napolean's accounts keeper.