Madharaasapattinam - a poetic ride

The sun reverberated off the buildings with the brilliance of a handful of diamonds cast against an iceberg, the shimmering white was blinding as we took off for the hr drive in the July heat of NJ to watch the latest flash, Madharaasapattinam. On hitting the theatres, we were welcomed by the empty chairs and an operator who was debating whether to call his girl friend or just hang around due to an assumed no-show. At that exact moment the 3 of us (read Jay, V and me) were clear intruders to his big picture.

I was ecstatic as it would be the first time I would have had an entire show screened only for myself. Clearly my family didn’t share my feelings - Jay was terribly upset not to see his partners in crime and V was annoyed for having played the chauffer for a worthless movie. He is a strong believer in the adage if there is no crowd the movie can be no good.

An exquisite love story that spans across an era with a graceful narration of happenings over the generation is Madharaasapattinam. Its like an unfinished puzzle that almost turns the lead pair into Romeo and Juliet escaping the Montagues and Capulets, in this case Amy's folks, which the lead lady tries to finish during the last phase of her life time. What she discovers when hunting around for the missing pieces is disclosed with what leaves behind a "titanic" effect.

Arya - has he mastered the art of choosing the right scripts or is it time to thank his lucky stars? Whatever it is this dude is a paragon of a good output. With not much of a costume and not many dialogues which actually is a blessing, he has done his part just fine. There is nothing critical to report on Arya as he is heavily overshadowed by the lead lady. To quote Jay, Arya is the masculine "pull-up uncle" in his shortie short dhoti!

Amy Jackson - the true essence of the movie. The charming ingénue with the body of an eighteen-year-old, spirited and self sufficient was casting a magic spell on the audience. You can just watch her because of the way she looked, the way she moved and the enormous presence she had about herself. Everything about Amy is beautifully done - even the simplest of all accessories, a hat looked so elegant on her.

I have never had a great regard for the hats as an accessory. Unless it really sits on you well, it will make a spectacle of yourself. The hats this lady wore were pulled low over her face, just low enough to give her an aura of unbearable mystery enhancing her innate sexiness.

I have recently come to believe that the tinsel world has nothing to offer the lead ladies in terms of acting and all the latest movies testified my theory. After watching Madharaasapattinam I have a revised theory - tinsel world has nothing to offer the home grown lead ladies. Everyone else will be given a great role with a good scope that earn them a name, big enough in the country for exclusively their acting skills!

Directors who cast comedians in the movie with the believed abstraction that they will do any good should take some serious lessons from Vijay. There are no such unwanted elements in the movie yet there is good enough humor which make people really laugh.

One movie that I genuinely liked, enjoyed every bit and part right from the story line to the picturisation, cast, screenplay and even the music / BGM is Madharaasapattinam. In my opinion this kid GVP's talks are inversely proportional to his professional output. To my own disbelief he has finally proven his worth in this movie. Well tuned, sweet sounding songs coupled with a very appropriate intense picturisation is a value add to the odic journey.

Madharaasapattinam - it’s dramatic, tough and brilliant. It’s not mealy mouthed or funny, there's nothing halfway about it. A slow nevertheless a steady product. A once-in-lifetime movie with a pleasing rhythm and beauty!