The impression that this movie's audio track left behind is phenomenal that it would want anyone, even those who cannot comprehend a word from the language purchase the tickets for the FDFS. I was no exception to this fallacy. Excited by the banner (Read Gowtham Menon and ARR only) I was so desperate to catch up on this movie, that I even felt miserable when I missed the week it was released in NJ. Only after I spent 2 hrs and 45 minutes in the theatre last week (missed the first 15 minutes as always:)) did I realize that my lucky stars were trying to save me some money and time which I refused to see!
A satisfactory attempt backed up heavily by the music and a capable lead lady makes VTV. I wonder if all those raving reviews I read were just to confuse the readers. "Feel Good", Magical" are the adjectives one gets to hear round the globe for this movie making it sound as though this movie is a "once in a blue moon" effor and can be straight nominated for the next Oscar. In reality this movie is just tolerable and definitely a very different attempt in having the same story line in both the halves with different cast.
The second half is the story of an aspiring director (Simbu) who shoots his own story which is the first half of the movie. This is a movie within a movie with identical halves and a twist which is very insignificant that it would be better off if I don’t mention it here. Don’t get me wrong - am not trying to keep up any suspense, it’s just not worth.
The feel good nonsense is what the director propagates about his own movie (read first half) post intermission which can only be thought of as a new strategy to trumpet. It has become GM's signature to have a good start and then drag the movie as though he is clueless and finally manage to somehow pick up all the loose ends and tie it to one big knot leaving a benumb effect. That’s what he has done in VTV too.
It starts off very well with pleasing numbers, magnificent picturisation and an illusion that you are finally watching a great movie. The illusion lasts only a couple of minutes when his express gets derailed and switches to the drag track which after a fashion reaches its destination when the audience is overwhelmed and restless to see the end card.
Simbu has done a fair job but if the director has tried to associate any class with him then he has awfully failed. His timing on the humor along with Gnanesh was mind-blowing. He needs a special mention for playing subtle and not his usual over engineering self. Kudos to the director for keeping this guy well under control which is an added plus to the movie. Simbu's foot work in the songs is a visual treat.
The real surprise to me came in the form of TRISHA. Honestly till date with the exception of 3 movies (Aayudha Ezhuthu, Ghilli and Saamy) she has always failed to impress me as an actress. She is one of those heroines who turn me off very badly and I have skipped a few movies just because she was playing the lead star. In VTV she has displayed breathtaking competence and was the perfect Jessie. I am easily convinced that anyone else in that role would certainly fall short.
She and Simbu play the contrast very well. Trisha is everything that defines class and Simbu is everything but class. It is so difficult not to notice this variation when both these stars appear on screen especially in scenes where they are seen together. She carries the air of dignity all through the movie with so much ease.
The best part I liked about Jessie is her characterization as a confused person. It is absolutely true with most of us and we (read girls) are still a mystery to ourselves. GM might have failed as a director with a poor execution of what could have been a powerful script but at least he has nailed down the presentation aspects of the lead lady with so much proficiency.
The one reason for which many didn’t mind the 3 hr mumbo jumbo is the music and ARR, in no uncertain terms is the real hero in the movie. His background score was tranquilizing and I loved the way Omana Penne blended into the screenplay. If at all this movie sees a successful 50 days, ARR would be the sole reason.
VTV - An average, can be watched once movie with the usual extensive publicity only this time blown out of proportion!!!
Beg to differ! ABSOLUTELY loved the movie. Mr. Menon's portrayal of a confused girl caught up between her lover and her family is awesome! Simbu was amazinggly brilliant. His underplayed acting made the movie one of the finest in the recent days "Realism" genre! the romance was good.. and the climax was awesome. I loved it so much that I went and saw it twice in the theater (Jersey city and Edison!)
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI think the movie was well taken and a good twist at the end.Simbu has done a good job in this movie.Trisha, as usual,very decent.Very different movie with less vulgarity.
///VTV - An average, can be watched once movie with the usual extensive publicity only this time blown out of proportion!!!////
ReplyDeletebang!!!!
good review meena akka!!!!
-subbu
one question - does jay come and watch these with you?
ReplyDeleteNimmy - a god salute to you for watching this twice in teh theatres:)
ReplyDeleteAnu - yes and no - yes, he comes to the theatres and no he doesnt watch the movies.
He will watch only the songs and eat your heads for the rest of the movie!!
Subbu - thanks :)
Su - I felt it could have been executed better!!
Well I am going give this movie a 5/10, meaning not bad but could have been better. Especially from Mr. Menon who is a seasoned director.
ReplyDeleteThe good things first - "Keka therinda kadhe, nee virumbuvadhe ARR patte" - Rahman delivers the goods in astonishing fashion and all the songs were brilliant. The bluesy 'Aaromale' was pretty progressive as well (hemming largely to Stevie Ray Vaughn/Pink Floyd classics but still had to be adapted the right away to fit into kollywood). Without the music this movie wouldn't have had a snowball's chance in hell of doing well. On the backup work, the locales and camera work were pretty pleasing too. The comedy track is woven well and its subtlety is pleasing. No unrelated to the main theme, stand alone stuff with Vadivelu/Vivek/Santanam taking the lead.
Another major redeeming feature is Trisha (a personal favorite). The lass is downright gorgeous draped in sarees and in toned down makeup for the most part. But where the real value is her portrayal of the character as Meena has pointed out. I think she can act pretty well if the director shows the way.
Now for the spoilers. The plot is around the vacillating nature of women, which is a worthy theme but the script is not tight enough to pull it off. Chimbu has supposedly done a different role but somehow seems wooden in very crucial scenes (when he proposes to Trisha the first time/the scene where he is in the bus in Goa etc.). There doesn't seem to be a chemistry between him and Trisha. Yeah, it is pretty obvious that anyone can fall in love with a classy goddess walking by the street, let alone live a floor above you. But its difficult to see what Trisha's character sees in Simbhu's character beyond maybe friendship. If it is being a rebel or having a sense of release from her family, it is completely contradictory to how the character is portrayed in the second half (fluctuating temperament included). This is where Menon fails. The second half slowed down to a crawl and fizzled out. The twist in the end seems contrived. It is as though the director went out of the way to make sure the movie didn't finish in a stereotype fashion and to be different.
All in all, watchable once for all the good qualities mentioned above and is definitely way better than the routine kollywood trash a.k.a vettaikaran, adhavan, asal etc.
Me too agrees!!!
ReplyDeleteThe movie was actually below average. There was no storyline, the whole movie cud be compressed to 5 mins flat. It just drags and drags..
But songs are definetly the highlight but that just isnt enough!!
I will reserve my comments till you review the next tamil movie I will watch in a theater - ROBO starring Rajini...
ReplyDelete