Kadal Movie Review by ReelzonWheelz

Kadal- A Mani Ratnam Movie

 Coping up with the recent trends of bans for political gains Kadal had some problems too but finally the ocean is out. Even though the movie doesn't strike us like a tsunami it had the feel of breezy waves that kiss our feet on the golden sand. I would like to keep saying this always when I write a review its just my perception of the movie and nothing more. 

Kadal on IMDB
Kadal on RottenTomatoes

 The movie opens up with a fresh looking Aravind Swamy (Sam Fernandez) joining a Christian missionary where he meets Arjun (Birgman). Both of them are contrasting people Birgman is the sort of person who feels life is about having fun and calls himself the devil or Sathan. He is broadcasted by Mani Ratnam as the most talented person in the missionary. There is a scene such that one of the mainstays at the missionary says that Birgman knows the Bible better than them. Aravind Swamy - Sam or Father Sam as he is called later in the movie represents the angel and he never says so. Birgman is caught by Sam having an illicit affair with a girl and is sent out from the missionary. Birgman says that he will take his revenge soon and hence the plot starts. Gautam Kartik as Thomas has a good part to play but you feel its irrelevant to connect so many characters. Also you feel had the plot been between the seasoned actors like Aravind Swamy and Arjun alone the movie could have been better. Gautam Kartik (as Thomas)is the son of a prostitute and is shown as a careless irresponsible guy with a lot of vengeance towards the society. Father Sam comes and educates Thomas about the life and weaves a path for him to grow.

Over a period of time Father Sam gets accepted at the village of Thomas and as we expect Birgman (Arjun) enters back into the scheme of things. Father Sam saves the life of Birgman but even then Birgman sees this as perfect opportunity for revenge. He sets up a plot to get Father Sam land in big trouble by projecting Father Sam having an illicit affair with a girl. Then Father Sam is sent to Jail. Thomas joins with Birgman and gets his hands real dirty with blood and loves the aroma of it because he feels he is giving back to the society the stench they deserve. Thulasi Nair comes as Beatrice a medical genius with the heart of a child which can be said by some as mentally challenged due to her childhood. Thomas instantly falls in love with her and she too grows fond of him over time. Then the climax is of how Father Sam returns to village and what he does to Birgman and how he reacts to Thomas all form the end of this movie.

Positives or things I liked in the movie. First and foremost god sent music of the man A.R. Rahman. Then, I like the fact that Mani Ratnam has taken Human emotions and tried to play with the thin line of theist and Atheism via angels & demons described in Bible. I think he is trying to tell every Angel has a Demon inside him and every Demon has an Angel inside him. Its the society and the happenings around you that decide which image you project or the path you decide to take. In fact you can find scenes where you feel sorry for the Angel like people and then you see the amount of fun the Demon side has.

I think this is one of the most confusing movies of Mani Ratnam as you can see there is no end or beginning and things keep going on just like that. I find no impact from this movie or any impressive stuff according to my understanding. I know when I say this there is a huge possibility for people to come and taunt me saying you did not understand this movie or this movie has good IMDB rating etc etc. You can find similar reactions from Kamal Hassan fans too when you say you don't like the movie of the actor. My only question is why are you taking a film that normal people like me cannot understand?. I think a director is brilliant only when is brilliance connects with the common man. You can feel so touched and there is a good chance of wiping a tear when you see the movies like Kannathil Muthamittal by this director. I wont say the same for this movie though. I found this movie lowering the standards of Mani Ratnam stamp. 

Had this movie been taken by a new director I would have applauded much more but Mani Ratnam this is nowhere near the standards you have set for yourself. There is hardly a dialogue I can remember in this movie, so that reminds us all that Sujatha is no more. I felt after seeing stunning visuals in Ravanan , this time round too Mani sir will give a treat to the eyes through the blue tinge of the ocean. Even that desire was hardly satisfied. Also finally those of you fans of yesteryear stars Karthik and Radha wishing to see some romantic scenes involving their kin . Alaigal Oyvathillai kind of stuff, you will be seriously disappointed.

I may be too harsh on this movie but I say that because of the love , adulation and respect I have for Mani sir, I am sure he will come back with a great movie soon. So all the best for your next outing .

On the whole I will say this movie can be watched its not such a movie where you just wish for it to get over and get out of theater. Not a great entertainer and not a class movie its a very average flick I feel which can be watched once nothing more.

Kadal - A rocky ride on the blue ocean with lots of motion and commotion but hardly any vision.

It can be given a rating of 3 out of  5 maybe.

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