Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007) A review

Writer-Director Gautham Menon, who single handedly, generated our fascination for his films characteristic of style and substance, has made another fabulous film Pachchaikili Muthucharam.

It is a beautifully crafted tale of romance, treachery, struggle, intrigue and action. What makes this movie resounding is its social relevance. Many incidents in this movie make you feel that you can also get caught in the web of deceit. The movie, punctuated by shimmering images, electric visuals, and vibrant directorial fireworks, promises complete entertainment worth the time you expend sitting in the theater.

Here goes the story...

Set in the backdrop of a suburban area near Chennai, it tells the story of Venkatesh (Sarath Kumar), a medical representative. He settles down to a cozy domestic life with his wife Kalyani (Andrea) and a six-year-old son Nanda. With no big desires, demands or needs, Venkatesh maintains his status quo by doing his 9 to 5 job with complete satisfaction.

His happy life takes a jerk when his son is diagnosed for juvenile diabetics. Unable to bare the trauma, Kalyani finds it difficult to cope with the changed circumstances. Venkatesh tries hard to bring her to normalcy and explains her that life should go on notwithstanding the setbacks. However, gradually, their sparkling life looses its luster.

At this juncture Geeta (Jyothika) meets Venkatesh in a train and attracted by his gentleness and naivety, turns him into an object of desire. Things change dramatically when she brings Venkatesh to a resort and there starts a dangerous adventure. How Venkatesh comes out of the web is narrated interestingly in the remaining part of the movie.

Everyone in the cast deserves praise. Sarath has donned quite a variety of roles, including those of cops and wielder of power and authority, in his long acting career. But in his role in "Pachchaikili..." as a next-door-family-man Sarath Kumar has excelled. Nowhere, do you feel that he carries the lead man status and that is the testimony to his versatility.

Jyothika is terrific as ever, with her magical grip over every scene. Mumbai model Milind Suman, whom Gautham described as a "surprise find", in his very first film in Tamil, holds the audience enthralled with his menacing looks and free style acting.

Andrea is utterly persuasive as a housewife. She wonderfully sustains and enlivens the poignant drama. She makes most of her theater experience and what she brings to every scene with Venkatesh, tells you much of what you need to know about the best that can happen between a man and a woman.

Harris Jayaraj has rendered pleasant and skillful music, which adds fizz to the whole fare. Action choreographed by Stunt Siva is realistic.

The film may have a divided audience. Some of them can dismiss this movie as preposterous for its lengthy climax and at times dull situations. However, Pachchaikili Muthucharam with its evocative aura and warmly attractive look (with cinematography by Arvind Krishna), sustains the interest till the end, and lends itself to a debate on the moral issues it means to raise.

source : Nowrunning.com