Boat

I have been meaning to watch my favorite director Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat (1944) for a long time but haven't had the chance yet. I guess this movie is somewhat inspired by that work.

The legendary Chimbudevan, one of my favorite directors, has done beautiful work with this film. It serves as a counter-argument to the ideologies being widely advertised in present-day Tamil cinema. At its core, it aims to convey that the British were the ones who spread their divide-and-rule ideology, leading to the problems we are still experiencing today.

Fans of the iconic Andha Naal (1954), directed by the legendary S. Balachandar, are in for a treat with this movie-it's something you won't want to miss.

I even recommend that all of you watch Andha Naal-one of the best movies ever made.

This film is an absolute disaster from start to finish. The script feels lazy, directionless, and completely devoid of any substance or thought. The director seems completely out of touch with the basic principles of storytelling and filmmaking, producing what can only be described as amateurish and juvenile work. The plot is incoherent, the dialogues are cringeworthy, and the pacing is all over the place. It's shocking how a film this poorly made even got the green light. Yogi Babu's character is reduced to nothing but cheap gimmicks, relying heavily on his established image without any meaningful development.

I had high expectations for this movie, especially after enjoying the director's previous works like 23 am pulikesi and 305 arai en il kadavul. However, it didn't quite meet my hopes. While it's an okay watch, it falls short of the engaging screenplay I anticipated. If you liked "305 Arai En Il Kadavul," you might find some enjoyment here, but even that film had a stronger narrative.

The cast consists of talented performers, many familiar from past projects, but the screenplay is weighed down by excessive dialogue and references. It could have benefited from a more concise approach, making it more engaging.

If you prefer drama-heavy films with minimal action, this might be worth a try, but lower your expectations. The story is decent but lacks depth, and the lack of thrilling moments makes it forgettable. Overall, if you dislike drawn-out dialogues and confined settings, it's easy to skip this one.

Of course I had never heard about this 2024 Indian movie titled "Boat" prior to stumbling upon it by random chance here in 2024. However, I opted to watch it on account of it being a movie that I hadn't already seen, but I virtually didn't know what I was in for here.

Writer and director Chimbudeven delivered a movie that utterly failed to entertain me. I have to say that watching seven people sitting in a boat far out at sea, talking and doing very little else, didn't really count as being entertaining in my book. Needless to say that I was bored senseless with the script that Chimbudeven delivered, and I just couldn't make it through 126 minutes of this ordeal.

I managed to suffer through 35 minutes of the ordeal before I tossed the towel in the ring and gave up. The movie was nothing but dialogue between the seven characters sitting in a boat, and it wasn't even remotely interesting dialogue, much less particularly detailed or interesting characters.

Given my limited exposure to Indian cinema, then I wasn't familiar with the cast of actors and actresses on the cast list. But I can't claim that I was impressed with the performances, because the actors and actresses virtually had nothing to work with.

This movie was a massive swing and a miss of a borefest of a movie. And it is not a movie that I will ever return to and attempt to finish watching. I just simply didn't care one bit about the characters or the storyline.

My rating of "Boat" lands on a one out of ten stars.

**Boat (Tamil Movie) Review**

"Boat," a Tamil film, is a gripping, emotionally rich exploration of human nature, much like the classic courtroom drama "12 Angry Men." With its powerful script and compelling performances, "Boat" takes audiences on a journey through a microcosm of society, exposing the prejudices and social evils that still plague us. The film stands out for its ability to resonate with contemporary issues, as it challenges the viewer's own biases and examines the deep-seated impact of discrimination, fear, and morality.

The narrative of "Boat" is set in a confined environment-a literal boat on a river-symbolizing the journey of life, where people from different walks of life must coexist in limited space, away from the comforts of their homes and their usual safety nets. Much like the setting of the jury room in "12 Angry Men," this enclosed environment serves as a crucible, where the true character of each individual comes to light. Throughout the film, viewers are introduced to a diverse set of individuals: a daily wage laborer, an upper-caste business person, a retired army officer, a socially conscious student, and a woman fighting for her rightful place in society. The boat brings together these individuals who would otherwise never cross paths in their daily lives.

The strength of "Boat" lies in its nuanced character portrayals and the interplay between them. Each character carries with them the biases and prejudices of the world they come from. The upper-caste businessman is deeply suspicious of those from the lower rungs of society, questioning their intentions at every turn. The army officer carries a rigid sense of duty, sometimes to the point of being overbearing, and views any deviation from tradition as a potential threat. On the other hand, the student embodies the voice of the younger generation-idealistic, questioning the norms, and eager to push boundaries for the sake of progress.

Much like "12 Angry Men," which used its twelve jurors to represent various facets of society, "Boat" uses these characters to provide a glimpse into the complexities of caste, class, and gender relations. In one particularly poignant scene, the woman on the boat speaks about her experience with discrimination. Her story, met with varying degrees of empathy and dismissal by the others, becomes a focal point for the audience to understand the unique struggles faced by women in a patriarchal society. Her pain, ignored by some, acknowledged by others, becomes a powerful allegory for how society selectively chooses whose voice deserves to be heard.

Another notable aspect of the film is the tension between tradition and progress. The retired army officer, who represents authority and experience, often finds himself at odds with the younger student, who challenges his rigid mindset. Their debates on the boat evolve from hostility to understanding, offering a commentary on the generational clash that is evident in today's society. The filmmaker skillfully navigates these interactions to illustrate that, while tradition has its value, it must not become an impediment to progress. This is a theme that resonates with many in a rapidly changing world where old norms are continuously being questioned.

The beauty of "Boat" is in how it holds up a mirror to society's flaws without being preachy. It portrays the unconscious biases that exist within each character, making viewers question their own deeply held beliefs. When a crisis arises during their journey-a storm that threatens to capsize the boat-individual instincts kick in, revealing their true priorities. It is in this chaos that we see alliances form and dissolve, trust gained and lost, and ultimately, the humanity that binds them together. The way these characters respond to the crisis serves as a metaphor for how society deals with its problems: some step forward to help, some look for someone to blame, while others are paralyzed by fear.

The cinematography in "Boat" is impressive, given the confined setting. The film captures the vastness of the river, contrasting it with the smallness of the boat, emphasizing how insignificant individual prejudices are when faced with the greater challenges of survival. The storm sequence is particularly well-shot, evoking a sense of helplessness that unites the group, at least temporarily, making them realize the fragility of their existence.

The acting is a major highlight of "Boat," with each performer bringing depth to their character. The actor playing the businessman brilliantly portrays a man who is both confident in his privilege and afraid of losing control. The retired army officer's portrayal is equally commendable, as he embodies a man torn between his sense of duty and his growing realization of the value of compassion. The student, played with a mix of defiance and vulnerability, is the heart of the film, representing hope for a more inclusive future. The ensemble cast, much like in "12 Angry Men," works together seamlessly, creating a dynamic that feels real and engaging.

In conclusion, "Boat" is a thought-provoking film that uses its setting, characters, and storyline to tackle the evils of discrimination, fear, and prejudice. It is an important reminder of the social barriers that still exist and the work that needs to be done to break them down. Much like "12 Angry Men," it does not provide easy answers but encourages introspection and dialogue. The film's portrayal of human nature-the good, the bad, and the complex in between-leaves a lasting impression on the viewer, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in stories that challenge societal norms and offer hope for change..