Vaanam Kottattum boasts a first half that gives you hopes of an explosive second, even when the proceedings appear to be completely predictable. The ensemble cast comes up with fine performances here, often rising above what that script offers them. It's a family of five (well, six if you include the wise-cracking yet warm granny) that Dhana (an artist from the Mani Ratnam school of film-making) introduces us to - it's convenient to say that Bose (Sarath Kumar) is the central character of the film, yet he doesn't get the most screentime. His wife Chandra (Raadhika), brother Velsaamy (Balaji Sakthivel) their son Selva (Vikram Prabhu) and daughter Mangal (Aishwarya Rajesh) do. And that's because Bose is away in jail serving a murder sentence, while the rest of the family are trying to keep up with life's other challenges.
We get to see Sarath Kumar in a finely written role after a very long time. Vikram Prabhu proves that he can be less wooden and more expressive. What's most important here is how the two ladies of the film - Raadhika and Aishwarya Rajesh - both of whom deserve more credit, receive meaty, well-rounded character arcs. Every member of the family, including the uncle, is subjected to a Mani Ratnam-styled conditioning (he's credited as co-writer).
On the other hand, everyone beyond the family feels one-note, underwritten, or lacking closure. Look at the major antagonist (played by Nandha), for example. He is so drowned in his motive of revenge that his reason for existence in the movie is merely that. The build-up around his character felt weak. The same goes for Preetha (played with restraint by Madonna Sebastian), someone who realizes that the riches-to-rags can happen faster than losing friends or dependable folks in her 'rich people' circle. This isn't a movie for the traditional heroine (a.k.a the lover of the young hero) - that spot's already taken up by the mother and the sister of the family.
Even Mangai's friendly-love-triangle doesn't pan out well. Shanthanu and Amitash play the 'Kadhal Desham' dudes here and the whole saga around the trio doesn't look convincing one bit, including the closure. Even with all these issues, if Vaanam Kottatum still proves to be worth a watch, the performances of the leading quartet is the biggest and most valid reason. Some of Sid Sriram's compositions (especially Kannu Thangom) really add to the scenes, while some (Easy Come Easy Go) feel out of place. Preetha Jayaraman's cinematography makes the best use of rain in many scenes - something that's reflected in the film's title too.
