One (വൺ) - A MOVIE (2021) REVIEW

 One (വൺ)

Political ‘drama' released on 26 March 2021.

Mammootty is the hero. 

Movie is about an honest  chief minister, who opposes corruption at all levels - inside and outside his party. 

An incident of an unreasonable behaviour of a guy who orders home delivery of food , where the person has to climb 12 stairs and gets a heart attack!

An ordinary young daughter taking on the bully who caused the heart attack!

Women parking vehicles in malls ( Kerala is always ahead in culture)!

VVIP culture and second rate treatment melted out to ordinary citizens by democratically elected leaders is portrayed lucidly as only a Malayalam movie can! 

A kind chief minister with his own personal problems ( health and family) comes to the rescue of ordinary citizens!

An auto ride by the chief minister of the state during a traffic jam!

I am reminded of the quote from another movie ‘WONDER’ -  'Greatness is not about how strong you are ..... but about the use of strength to protect the weak, value of your principles and the valour to protect those close to your heart’!

On the night of announcement of election results in 5 Indian states, it was worth watching last night. 

Movie may be classified as a ‘fiction' till it comes true,  when it can be labeled a ‘drama'.

KAVAN - a movie with chilling association between TV media and the politicians

KAVAN - a movie with chilling association between TV media and the politicians

We the public are often played for suckers by the media' is the social message delivered by the Movie KAVAN! There is most likely more truth in the movie .....

..where the young honest journalist watches the commercial corporate TV media collide with politicians and crooked police to frame a young couple of mixed faith of terrorism. This is not true and is due to the political power behind all the cover up and the selfish game to fool the public.

Movie shows that there are good police and bad police officials; good journalists and bad journalists; good media moguls and bad moguls. 

The TV channel boss - one of the main villains plays on the news media, parts of the clips taken in the same political rally at various intervals , initially to promote the politician and later on to degrade him, as he has stopped paying the channel the promotion fee!!

I felt I was watching the national TV news when I saw the movie. 

Take note -we only see what they want us to see; that is the message from this masala movie where one unnecessary song has 19 change of clothes for the hero and heroine (yes, I actually counted)!

Movie may not be actually worth it, but the social message is - don't believe everything you see on TV!

POWER PANDI - movie review!

POWER PONDI

2017 Tamil movie has an unusual modern  theme . It depicts the story of the 64 year old widower POWER PONDI ( the unlikely hero) a movie stunt master feeling something missing in his life and leaves the house without the knowledge of his son, daughter in law and 2 lovely grandchildren. He leaves on his motor bike with Rs 25 lacs from his account on a road trip. He meets other older men on motorbike by the roadside who have left their families on a similar mission.

He reminiscences his ‘first love’ to them, how she had made an impact on him in just 2 days, of how her dad whisked her away to Madurai and blocked all their  puppy love. The road side acquaintances show him how to use face book and he sends a message to his first flame Revathy who is now in Hyderabad and makes a date to meet her in a restaurant.

The story attains a higher plane at this stage of how 2 elderly people ( she is a widow too ) talk of pent up feelings over the years, how their own children meet them together and accept the truth of romantic friendship between the two parents who are now single.

Movie reminded me of 'Wild Hogs' when you see the motor bikers in wind cheaters by the roadside!

Danush the director / story writer is a bit confused if the story is about the grown up, married children being harsh on elder patients ( because the son and DIL are quite good to Power Pondi and treat him well!).

I am assuming the director wants to focus on how the elderly also have great memories and strong feelings - wanting to lead their lives , not just be a shadow on their grown up, married children. If the focus indeed is on the active life of the elderly people, ( I am  hoping so) then it is a great theme!

Conversation between Revathi and her daughter when talking of the former’s old flame is quite revealing ( serious on Revathi’s side; playful and non judgemental on the daughter’s side!) on how the youth of today want the elderly to live well and be happy too.

Also the conversations of the neighbouring youth ( an useless, good for nothing chap) with Power Pondi are very casual and lively all the time ; the neighbour helps the elderly hero to sneek into the grandchildren’s feelings of sorrow when the old man is missing! The youthful heroine Madonna acts with finesse.

A great social movie, but I wish Danush had sat down to focus on which theme  - the one I feel should be on the active lives of elderly middle class people in Tamil nadu!

I will not be surprised if the debut director soon explores on newer themes such as live in relationships in modern life in the youth and elderly.

Or would that been too modern for our traditional public?

ADE KANGAL ( 2017) Tamil Movie

ADE KANGAL (Same Eyes)

ADHE KANGAL  ( Same Eyes)- Tamil movie released on 26 Jan 2017 with new casts. Initially what appears to be a triangle turns out to be a thriller.

Director has paid attention to young new actors who appear to be modern commoners we meet every day!

Blindness and woman empowerment are showcased  well.

Hero is blind initially, but successful as an entrepreneur with culinary skills.  Apart from this he plays no major role.  Most of the movie including the kicking and killing! is dominated by woman power!

Modern woman's mind is revealed aptly when Sadhana rejects the suitor quite abruptly when she finds his mind wandering; she appears practical even when it comes to marriage.

Deepa is also shown in a tough role with independent thinking and plotting while on the run.

The most jovial chap of course  is Constable Panju who makes the whole movie so deliciously palatable. A real 'paavam' police constable from Kanyakumari plays his innocent, comic role to the hilt till the very end.

The style of narration and story line reminds one of Soudhan -  the Hindi TV series of true police diaries!

It is reassuring to see good quality, modern movies in Tamil with novel thinking and showcasing of women empowerment by directors with minimal songs and no fighting!