Poetry on celluloid. Review on Autograph Movie

The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealized past - Robertson Davies , A Voice from the Attic

Someone once said ''Nostalgia isn't what it used to be'' . In today's supersonic age, hardly do we ever get to sit back and think about our past. Memory lane has become a one-way tunnel so much so that we seldom travel through it. But once in a while something happens which turns our world upside down, forces us to retrospect and have a relook at how we are doing in life. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what I think is the AUTOGRAPH effect.

AUTOGRAPH is a journey through time. The movie starts with the protagonist Senthil , standing at the footsteps of a new future, reminiscing about his past. Following him from those adolescent, school days in Dindigul - blissful college life in Allepey - the turbulent years of adulthood in Coimbatore till his success as an advertising executive in Chennai, the movie chronicles all the highs and lows in Senthil's life. AUTOGRAPH also traces the influence of the three women who shape Senthil's destiny in various stages of this journey.

As the nostalgic Senthil trying to connect with his past, Cheran puts in a brilliantly, understated performance. While critics may argue that he has hidden his limited histrionic ability under the guise of underplaying his role, what works is the fact that this approach fits the role to a T. Cheran comes out trumps as the gawky college youth trying desperately to profess his love.

Mallika who plays Kamala, the love of Senthil's school days is an amazing find. She emotes with passion and is an absolute natural in front of the camera. It’s unbelievable the way she transforms herself and her body language from a school girl to a mother of 3 kids.

Gopika as Lathika, the college sweetheart looks very pretty and offers good support in the acting department especially in the lighter romantic moments.

Sneha is Divya, Senthil's well wisher and great friend@work and she does a competent job. Though her character is well etched out, some of her scenes are a little clichéd.

Kanika as Thenmozhi, Senthil's bride-to-be is adequate. Masterly performances by the supporting cast is another big plus point of the movie. Special mention has to be made of veteran Rajesh who plays Senthil's understanding father and the young lad who plays Senthil in his school days.

Four cinematographers - Ravi Varman, Vijay Milton, Dwarakanath and Shanki Mahendra - have worked on this film and this is a classic case of too many cooks NOT spoiling the broth. The beautiful Kerala backwaters and the rustic Dindigul milieu have been wonderfully portrayed on screen.

Music by Bharadwaj is lilting - the Nyabagam Varudhe song standing out in particular. Watch out for the BGM when Cheran finds out the truth about Lathika - brilliant usage of percussion instruments typical of Kerala.

However the real star of the movie is Cheran who has also handled the story, screenplay and direction. From his first film, BHARATHI KANNAMMA to his previous venture PANDAVAR BHOOMI , Cheran has displayed a penchant for choosing off-beat subjects and treating them in a very realistic manner. With AUTOGRAPH , he has reached dizzy heights. Without succumbing to blatant commercial necessities (except the one SAVE TAMILIANs PRESTIGE fight), Cheran has managed to weave a web of magic with his sheer story telling prowess. Starting with a storyline as simple as looking back at one's past, Cheran conjures up situations that everyone in the audience can so easily relate to.

The characters are all so well-rounded be it the Tamil speaking college friend in Allepey, the std: 10 school teacher or even his school love's husband. The narration is slow and often heavy but the movie actually grows on you and reaches a crescendo as all the characters assemble at the grand finale - the wedding. Cheran finely balances the screenplay with incidents of different shades - some romantic, some funny, some bitter-sweet and some downright melancholic. The dialogues are endearing and often give a lot of exercise for the lachrymal glands. For the sentimentalists, pls keep a lot of hankies in store.

A heart warming poem - a fascinating painting - a mesmerizing sculpture - AUTOGRAPH is all this - Its a piece of art, no doubt !! There's still hope for Tamil Cinema !

Can I have your AUTOGRAPH pls, Cheran ?