Maamannan

This political drama has a gripping first half, where the director effectively conveys his pain through certain scenes. While some scenes successfully deliver the intended message, many others fall short. The movie is a mix of raw and commercial elements, which I found somewhat unsettling. It didn't evoke strong emotions in me, such as making me cry or burst into laughter, or fueling a sense of vengeance against the villain. It is common to compare older movies with current ones, and in the case of "Karnan," there were moments that evoked rage, especially the police station scene. However, in this movie, I felt a lack of connection. It was meant to be a potential cult classic, but with a few issues, it might lose its place in that esteemed position. It's not the worst movie, but it falls short of achieving cult classic status from my perspective as a movie viewer. The director had already set a high benchmark, which this movie failed to meet.

On the other hand, the movie has received numerous positive aspects, ranging from the performances of Vadivelu, Fafa, and Keerthi, who all deliver their career-best performances. The landscape shots are beautifully showcased, capturing scenic locations like Yercaud, hilltops, and night shots. The camera work is impressive, and as expected, the music by ARR (A. R. Rahman) demonstrates his exceptional quality. The layered editing is also a significant plus point. With a more gripping and grounded second half, this movie could have reached greater heights. The interval and climax sequences have their own peak moments, showcasing the director's bold attempt. It's a remarkable film to conclude Udhay's career.

What worked for Pariyerum Perumaal & Karnan was it was more grounded in reality. It was relatable, I was able to sympathize with the director's view. It felt like some dialogues were intentionally planted for Udhayanidhi's gain. The film felt too dramatic & lost the touch of reality. Casting Fahadh only added more to it. He did deliver what he was paid for, but I just couldn't see him as his given role. At times, the pacing feels slightly uneven, with certain scenes dragging on longer than necessary. Also Keerthy suresh was not justified. Felt like she was there just for the sake of having a female lead.

The film, directed by a visionary with an impressive track record and featuring a stellar cast, generated enormous anticipation, and it certainly did not disappoint. While the story may have had some predictable elements, it was the director's skill in crafting an exceptional screenplay that truly stood out. The emotional scenes were breathtaking, evoking a profound sense of connection with the characters.

Vadivelu's performance was nothing short of impressive, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Fahad Fazil, Udayanithi, and Keerthi Suresh also delivered outstanding performances, adding depth and authenticity to their respective roles. The chemistry among the cast was palpable, enhancing the overall impact of the film.

A. R. Rahman's musical genius shone through once again, with his marvelous compositions and captivating background scores perfectly complementing the narrative. The soundtrack was a true auditory delight, enhancing the viewing experience to another level.

Contrary to preconceived notions, this film is not just another tale of caste-related issues. It presents a unique perspective on how society can be misled by powerful individuals. However, it is worth noting that certain scenes might be distressing for younger audiences, so parental guidance is advised.

Although the predictability of the story prevents me from giving it a perfect rating, the film's overall excellence far outweighs this minor flaw. "Title of the Film" is an absolute masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on its viewers. It is a must-watch for cinephiles and anyone seeking an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Maamannan started off with commendable first half followed by average second half . Plot and its depth in first half with character establishment was on the spot , especially interval block was total banger and literal high point of the whole movie . Second half mostly lacked in depth & high point and literally failed to create impact as first half did . In fact if we saw previous works of Mari Selvaraj climax portion or post climax create great impact upon audience , but here he missed that trick . Vadivelu just nailed it in his performance , real comeback of this man but totally in different Avatar . Fahad Faasil as antagonist was different vibe , even though if he plays simple villain role he somehow maintain the tension around his character . Udhay and Keerthi did their job well . Asusual Mari Selvaraj as director did great in his crafting , on other side well supported by Theni Eswar's camera work . AR Rahman once again delivered mind blowing background scores and songs .

Overall , despite some flaws and let down in second half its totally worth and watchable flick . Keep your expectations down .

The Movie starts on an engaging first half but falls fully flat in the second half. Honestly, the last half an hour of the movie was so slow and UNBEARABLE!

Performance: Fahadh Faasil was brilliant as always, he is a shapeshifter who aces literally every role he plays. He incredibly played the evil role he was offered. Vadivel was good too, the rest others were average.

Plot and screenplay: The start of the film was very engaging and the plot was being built up pretty well, especially the flashback part.

The director was able to hold the movie in place till the interval.

The second half was incredibly boring and unbearable, it was such a task to control my urge to take out my phone and scroll through Instagram! But I somehow managed to complete the movie with an utter nonsense 2nd half.

I regret not taking my phone out and spending my time watching a few reels. It did not feel that the same director had directed the 2nd half. I was so done after it.

Conclusion and Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-6/10

I'm rating it a 6 only for its first half as it was a good watch with an engaging screenplay and the performance of FAFA and Vadivelu.

The second half was absolute garbage.