The following review has some Tamlish scripts
Oru nutpamana, art film-kku undana kathai-yai, ellorum rasikkira madhiri-yana padam-aga eduthirakirar Thankar.
''Kutty'' was the recent movie like that. But that movie didn't compromise anything on commercial grounds. This does.
No need to give a brief on the story as most of you had heard about it.
Within ourself, there may be one ''shanmugam'' or one ''thanalakshmi'' at some point of time in adolescent days.
But when days are goneby, they are all pushed down to the last stack in memory. This movie refresh that memory and get them to the top of the stack.It may break you into tears or laughter. The first half of the movie does this magically.
The open class room sequence reminds me my school days. For most of us, the afternoon classrooms were heaven. There was my English & Maths ( are they related ? ) Teacher 'Ramu' who tell jokes instead of taking grammar session. He is a master of ''Kottavi'' than his subject. He knows, students will sleep when he teach. There was another Science teacher called 'Paappa' (really!) and Ramani. Students share lot of stories about them. We had a History teacher called Siaan ( sethu illai). He has a head like 'CHO' but with a difference. A single silky hair dances in the air. His class is fun. He asks us to find a place using atlas by using the index.
Thanalakshmi-kalukkum pancham illai. Eventhough ours is not a co-ed school, it was and is in the middle of Three girls high school, one co-ed polytechnic and one college. Some Big Boys had a sight at those elder girls. In those days, Ottu pullu was romba famous. I can say, our school is a farm land for that. They served as cupid arrows.
There was another Training School for teachers. Some girls used to come from that school for practice. We kids made lot of fun about them.
Some Madurai guys might remember the bus 6A/2 (like 201 of bangalore.) It has a track record for visiting police station for various reasons (two boys fight over girls, one guy stole the coins from conductor, anbu sakodarikal ticketless travel, etc). It's a love cruise on the road. Hmm.. Hmm..
Teppakula thiruvizhaa, maiya mandapam, Teppakulathin visatharamana padikkattu (Nattram eduthalum), Neerilatha podhu chola thattai-yo, rubber pandu-o vilaiyadiyathu! - maranthu pona naatkal.
Paruthi paal, jil-jil jigarthandaa, echil ooravaitha nellikkai, maanga..., chola kathir.. aha! what a snack!!! Oh boy! those days were great!
See I got carried away by the movie; coming back to the movie the second half of this movie is a kind of ''what if so'' situation.
I was shocked at the moment, when Shanmugam tries to seduce Thanam in the absence of Devyani. (''Paatu Solli'' song).
A second grade guy can only take advantage and exploit like that.
But to the relief, It was a fearful imagination of Thanam. You can argue, how can Thanam think like that?. It's acceptable.
She is a widow at an young age. She is living in place with a guy who is closer to heart.
Her yearnings and fear can trap herself into an ugly situation which will ruin everybody's life.
After all, we are packed with emotions and at the same level we might get into some thing which we don't want to do.
We have to appreciate Thankar, for not portraying Shanmugam as ill-minded.
Paarthiban acts for the first time and he aptly fits as Shanmugam.
The dusky beauty Nandida das (looks like elder sister to Kasturi) as Thanalakshmi. Her performance is commendable.
She didn't overdo or underdo her role. Few of the tamil stars are capable of doing this role. But only a new face can give that feeling for ''DEVATHAI''.
Devyani comes as a beautiful and understanding, working wife. Her character was portrayed very well. The fear of losing her husband to Nandida is acceptable. But when she realizes her Mr is not after Nandidta to reboot his love life, she does her best to help him. Everyone will wish to have such a wife. Also keep in mind that every husband should live to her expectations too.
Nandida-vayum, Parthiban-aium Pavadai thavani, trouser-il kaatathathu RASIGAR-galin Baakiyam.
Usually, the kids shown in the movie does things not of their age. This movie is exceptional.We have to really appreciate the performance of those kids, that boy and that girl. Fantastic.Uruva porutham is unbelievable. Masking vithai illamalaye, those kids brings back Shanmugam, Thanam, Kattaiyan and Kattachi alive.
Ilaiyaraja packed his old wine into new bottle. 'Paatu solli' song recalls 'Kizhakku Vaasal'-in 'Vandhate kungumam' and ''Ozhiyile therivathu'' is close to all time favourite ''Etho Mogam'' from ''Kozhi Koovuthu''. So What ? 'R A J A' thiravam aache!!! ruchi-kirathu.Pavatharini voice is really mesmerizing.
BGM scores do add life to the movie. No doubt that ''Kuruvi'' song will make you dance. But the language ?!?
Vivek-in comedy-um ''Kuruvi'' paatum commercial sangadangal. Mattra Director-kalai Vaai kizhiyara alavakku aluthukollum thangarbacchan, iyalbana nagaichuvai-kku konjam menakettirukalam.
All said, Better watch this movie by yourself. ALONE !!!
