Thursday, February 07, 2013

Kadal (The Sea) View

I had a wonderful visual treat; watching the Tamil film ‘Kadal’ from my regular Drive-in Theater here late night, get me an experience of floating at a distinct yet fabulous locale. Sea, being the livelihood of fishermen had become the source of this film and characters play a powerful sail on the gently yet rough screenplay, but boarding a weak story. There are many films related to fishing folk formerly, but Kadal has been fascinating a lot among enrich showcased in location setting. I wished there was a total different story on this performance oriented on board into the sea.

There are two main characters lead the story with their impressive performance: the comeback of yesteryears handsome hero, Arvind Swamy, took crown once again representing a respectful priest and Karthik son Gautham’s debut as young hero, certainly befit to the character of young fishermen that uncertain to adapt anybody. And of course we can’t go with them alone; everybody does a natural play around the scenario and the teen heroine, Thulasi (daughter of actress Raatha), steals heart with her childish attitude and cute expressions… she has a long way to go become a mature artist.

The film almost sails on a lifeboat of characters, the sea become a backbone to this mysterious or lead to confusion subject. The Tamil slang spoken in the film was very unusual and offensive somewhere, adding chaos at understanding the phrases. The songs composed by AR. Rahman had already recognized as best, has once again confessed to stole via visuals, except Nejikkula – the one tops the album has lost track between scenes and speech – cinematography has ruled others with two excellently choreographed. The setting of the Church and fishing market and the broken ship are architecture excellence!

The most fascinating and stunning part of the film was the climax! The actions performed by the three (Goutham, Aravind and Arjun) on the ship on rough seas were breathtaking and represent anything unlike before a Tamil cinema has witnessed. I read from the acclaimed cinematographer (Rajiv Menon) interview that the awesome storm sequence at climax was shot alive during the Nilam Cyclone that landfall near Chennai in October. Taking the film crew into the sea when the storm was at its peak really needs guts, and not only our filmmakers but the actors too truly amaze me by taking such dare ventures and experimenting live action using the unpredictable terrible natural event.

Hats off to ace director Mani Ratnam for creating unique at Tamil cinema, taking each pace forward into his own standard with film-making;  Kadal is another film adds credit to his phenomenal except the disappointment with story but, technically and naturally content.  

9 comments:

George said...

This sounds like a wonderful, exciting movie to see. Thanks for the review.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

This truly sounds like an amazing film. I need to see if it's available over here.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks for the review, Jeevan. I'm glad you could see the movie at a drive-in. We don't have many drive-ins around here anymore. I used to love them when I was a child.

Have a great day.
Betsy

Krishna/കൃഷ്ണ said...

nice review...

and

thanks

Destination Infinity said...

The movie should be technically good is a given, provided the strength of the crew behind it. They just need to give it in a slightly more entertaining way, to have an outright winner. I don't want to go to a movie and return sad/upset, irrespective of the technical/visual strength.

Destination Infinity

eden said...

Great review! I haven't watch a movie in the drive-in. I know there is one close to where we live. I hope one day.

Jyoti Mishra said...

plot is interesting..'ll chk out if I can :)

Meoww said...

Must be a visual treat! Including Aravind Swamy ;)