★ 8 / 10
Reconnecting with people we were earlier forced to
KS Prasanna
Reconnecting with people we were earlier forced to part ways with. That's the central theme of Prem Kumar Chandran's Debut & Sophomore Directionals. Like 96…
Reconnecting with people we were earlier forced to part ways with. That's the central theme of Prem Kumar Chandran's Debut & Sophomore Directionals. Like 96 (2018), he has a done wonderful job yet again in liberating the suppressed emotions of closeted protagonists.
Meiyazhagan (2024) is an Arvind Swami film starring Karthi but despite appearing late in the film, Karthi owned every scene he was part of.
He is what you call a perfect spontaneous actor, Vijay Sethupathi comes close to him with his own set of performances in the same terrain but VJS was just VJS in most of them while Karthi exhibits his spontaneity with distinct behavioral patterns for each character he plays even If they have similar looks.
Prem Kumar presents Meiyazhagan (2024) like a visualized novel akin to reading Swami and Friends by RK Narayan. The 2nd half of the film is largely conversational but remained engaging for the most part except for minor slurps in segments where Arvind Swami & Karthi sing Ilaiyaraaja songs.
I don't know If its due to watching the trimmed version but I felt no significant lag at any point, not even in the supposed weaker parts of the film.
Meiyazhagan (2024) is a film to be cherished, it may not be a major box office success like 96 (2018) but its a definite relief from reels driven cinema. It doesn't resort to inorganic adrenaline rush or emotional manipulation, the film is content with being a grounded fairy tale for adults. It will deeply resonate with people who were born into joint families on the verge of disintegration.
PS : Govind Vasantha doing the work of an instrumental storyteller makes Meiyazhagan a truly wholesome Audio-Visual experience.
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★ 8 / 10
A feel-good film that's like a warm hug, guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
samxxxul
Mark my words, this will be remembered as one of the best films of the year. It's a heartwarming movie with a great slice-of-life, some bittersweet added with…
Mark my words, this will be remembered as one of the best films of the year. It's a heartwarming movie with a great slice-of-life, some bittersweet added with a touch of bromance. In an era of formulaic blockbusters and Interval bangs this film is a refreshing change. It expresses a lot that is happening in society, inside the family, within humans, and the self-discovery while keeping it grounded, rooted, and minimalistic.A character-driven story focused on Arul (Arvind Swamy), who returns to his hometown with a sense of ambivalence. We as a viewer travel along with this character. On the other hand, Karthi, a mysterious character as ordinary as the sun's daily rise, has a knack for getting into quirky situations. We see the story unfold between these two as they spend a night and the trip is a rollercoaster of emotions, from nostalgic flashbacks to awkward encounters. And let's not forget the classic "miss the bus because your someone insisted on tea" moment. That's one of the funniest sequences during the interval.There are heartwarming moments, and one of my favorites involves a phone call between Arul's father (Jayaprakash) and Raj Kiran, who delivers a remarkably natural performance. Also, the wedding sequence, culminating in Arul gifting his sister, is beautifully staged. Additionally, Kamal Haasan's soulful 'Yaaro Ivan Yaaro' song placement in the beginning and the pre-climax is done so well.Director Prem Kumar stages everything brilliantly with the unending sound of the biosphere. Set in Thanjavur, it sums up the tone of the film as a conjunction between ecology and humans. His ability to blend melodrama with characters is his biggest strength, accentuated by good acting.The visuals are ideally combined with subplots, and the authenticity in mixing the local culture, history, and especially Jallikattu, is beautifully done. It doesn't falter the narrative and isn't an overkill. The relationships don't cross the line of going overboard, and the idea of coexistence is shown with so many happy moments.Oh, almost forgot about the background score. The entire film is loaded with bittersweet to happy scores that speak more or less sometimes, as the silence also does the talking.I know we had "Vaazhai," "Jama," "Kottukkali," and "Lubber Pandhu" last week, but trust me, "Meiyazhagan" is a fresh breath of air. It impresses with its variety of forms and feelings. There are no bleak moments, cringe love stories, or sermons on oppression. There are references like the Sterlite issue, but it is handled well with no genre shift.Final thoughts, I can go on and on but will not be able to capture all its beauty in writing. In the end of this film, you are uplifted and also feel a bittersweet joy.
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★ 9 / 10
It's not just feel good it's better..
askedibles
I think this is by far the most important movie of Tamil cinema for the current generation. While we ve majorly been audience to love n romantic movies since…
I think this is by far the most important movie of Tamil cinema for the current generation. While we ve majorly been audience to love n romantic movies since time immemorial,someone had the clarity to show what love is in reality in rural Tamil nadu. I am intrigued at what is going to be the response to a movie that I liked so much for the quality and simplicity of the subject ,the beautiful village setting and cinematography and the characterisation . To have produced a movie like this I would Really like to appreciate Surya n jo, I think you guys are really taking it upon you to give quality movies .Not everyone can do a movie like this .. I really hope this movie does well .. Go well guys...
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AUDIENCE
· 100 ratings
8.5/10
24.6K
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