Star

Kavin's performance in "Star" shines brightly, capturing the essence of an artist's struggle with a compelling narrative that resonates deeply. Directed by Elan, the film is a poignant portrayal of ambition and resilience, set against the backdrop of the Tamil film industry. Yuvan Shankar Raja's music elevates the emotional core of the story, while Lal's portrayal of a supportive father adds depth to the narrative. The film's surprises and twists keep the audience engaged, culminating in a satisfying climax that leaves a lasting impression. "Star" is a testament to the power of dreams and the unyielding human spirit. Overall, it's a must-watch that scores a solid 5/5.

It's a shame when what could have been a promising movie ends up being a giant waste of time. Elan gives us the story of an aspiring actor and the hardships he faces trying to make a name for himself in the Tamil cinema industry in "Star" with actor Kavin in the lead role after the sleeper success of his previous outing in "Dada". And therein lies the first problem.

Actor Kavin - the anchor on which this movie is fastened, turns out to be grossly miscast, with him just not having the range required to play the role effectively. I've seen a few reviews praising Kavin for his performance here, but I just don't see it. Most of the movie was me just wondering how bad a job Kavin is doing here, and feeling that as bad as the movie might be, if it could have been salvaged by a better actor. Every time Kavin tried to be what the script might demand of a great actor, it just comes across as incredibly try-hard and cringe-worthy. Think the monologue he recites to his father which was clearly intended to be a moment of awe, which instead just ended up being an incompetent caricature of a good actor.

The movie's second biggest issue is the very plot itself. It lacks any bit of focus or direction, and just ends up being all over the place. What makes things worse is the painful melodrama infused throughout the movie without any self-awareness. It's a nothing movie where things happen for the sake of happening, and happens so in the most ridiculous way possible. Think the entire second half, with the introduction of Aditi Pohankar's character Surabi - who not only was written to be the most annoying person in the world, but was also written as if the writers themselves had no idea what to do in the second half of the movie.

And yes, characters. It's difficult to like a movie without a single likeable or relatable character. Kavin's character especially, spends the entire movie being an arrogant entitled loser with no redeemable qualities, but is somehow the one we're supposed to be cheering for? Worse so is the fact that the movie tries to justify his insufferable nature by virtue of him being the main character. It was such an incompetent movie all around.

I think the one thing the movie has going for it is the fact that it keeps us expecting something to happen throughout. And this is good enough to distract us from what a horrible movie we've been watching the whole time. It's not until you get home and start thinking back on what you actually watched, do you start to realize just how bad it is. So yea, save yourself the trouble and ignore this movie. You'll be better off.

Kalai (Kavin) since his childhood is encouraged by his father to be an actor. Kalai's family consists of his photographer father, mother, elder sister and bedridden grandmother. His mother worries for his future whereas rest of the family supports his dream. He joins engineering but his sole ambition is to become an actor and thus a star. His first teacher is his father and all he has learnt about acting as well as life is through him. When Kalai dedicates his time to earn his opportunity, what challenges life throws at him and how does these challenges shapes him up while his core dream remains intact, forms rest of the story.

To put it upfront, I was blown away by Elan's vision. His writing is the soul of this film and the way he conceptualize the scenes and even stages them is what left me mesmerized. The very first scene with Kavin as a kid with his father doing the makeup while the mother rushes them, a sleepy sister and a missing moustache. The scene felt like designed specifically for the father to utter the dialogue about an actor's calibre but the throwback it receives in the terrific single shot climax sequence made me sit up instantly. Cinema won right there and I have spent the last 5mins recommending this film everyone in my contact.

The film is not without it's flaws though. The second half is completely melodramatic as well as preachy and the character of Surabi played by Aditi Pohankar was deliberately written to save Kalai. She was definitely very good in her role but it reminded me of Samantha's role in Majili and to have one character worship the hero to this extent didn't work well for me. Not just her, even with the family and friends, Elan pulled the strings too tight. Sure I my eyes went numb several times but compared to the excellent first half, the second half kept falling short until the magical climax. There is an extraordinary scene with the two heroines exchanging a simple thank you and I so wished these two characters had a better arc, because they simply deserved it.

I recently watched 'Star,' a Tamil movie that truly impressed me. It tells the compelling story of a common man's journey to stardom in the film industry. The film opens with a poignant scene featuring a young actor playing the role of a revered poet. Despite missing his mustache in his makeup, his father wisely remarks that an actor's body language matters more than any costume or makeup. This profound statement sets the tone for the film's exploration of the essence of acting.

Throughout the movie, particularly after the protagonist's accident, we witness the transformation in his acting. His portrayal skillfully depicts the raw emotions of fear without relying on external props or effects. This underscores the film's message about the power of authentic acting over superficial elements.

'Star' not only showcases the struggles of its characters but also delves deep into the artistry and dedication required to succeed in the competitive world of cinema. It is a testament to the human spirit and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.

Expected to see a fun, coming-of-age drama related to the struggles of an aspiring actor, ended up seeing more of a sentimental journey with its share of ups and downs (~unfortunately more downs than ups). Both the love stories in the film, while neatly performed, had problems in the writing. The "acting" struggles barely scratch the surface, and the screenplay rushes through these parts to focus on the protagonist's personal, physical, and mental hardships. While the writing feels somewhat derivative, the production design and locations carry a lived-in feel.

Lal puts in a worthwhile performance as the protagonist's father, even when his dialect seems to be a persistent bother. Kavin gets to showcase more of his acting chops here and proves he's ready to be moulded in the hands of Tamil cinema's capable filmmakers. The leading ladies (Preity Mukhundan and Aditi Pohankar) have good screen presence, and I'd love to see them featured more (in better scripts, i.e.). Aside from Kavin, the real star of the film is Yuvan. The songs and the score blend seamlessly with the visuals.