A movie with plenty of craft in it that'd make the European masters, especially the French, sit up and take notice. The lighting, the cinematography, the music and the jump cuts set the movie up for an amazing watch but never believe that the a movie can work without a good story. It is always the story that makes the film and Aval Appadithan has not only a radical story but one which is extremely well written. Great acting makes it an extremely sensitive watch and Rudhraiya's film is a treat for a cinephile. It is unfortunate that a maker of such a masterpiece hasn't gone on to do more films.
It closes out making you want to stand up and give it a rousing applause for being as great as it is. If the movie didn't affect me enough that it made me want to hold myself tight after watching it, I would have had tears of joy at watching such a masterpiece. One of the greatest films made, this is an Indian film far beyond almost everything with the exception of a dozen films to have come from these shores. A masterpiece that can change lives. Hats off to Mr. Rudhraiya and this remarkable team of talented professionals. Ilayaraja's brooding background score adds to the sombre nature of the movie
