Madras Movie Review
Ranjith’s new flick ‘Madras’ is a drama set in the city of Chennai depicting the lives of those involved in political rowdyism.
Kaali (Kaarthi) is an IT graduate who holds a regular job and is the dream of his locality. Anbu (Kalaiarasan), is his best friend and the next promise of the local political party gets involved in a fight over the legendary wall in the area.
The wall with a painting of an ex-political leader stands there as a mute witness to all the ongoings, everyone talks about the wall and fights over changing the painting on the wall to assert their party's right over it. Many a lives are lost over the fight for rights of the wall.
Kaali is a short tempered and fearless guy whose temper creates problems for himself and others around him. Then unfolds a series of incidents which make up the rest of the story where Kaali eventually is nose deep in politics. Do the residents of the locality get their right over the wall? What are the games people play? Whose all lives are at stake in this game?
Karthi has portrayed his role well and everyone in the movie blends in. Catherine Tresa plays Kaali’s love interest, she has a long long way to go with her looks and her acting, which is nil in this movie. Kalaiarasan steals the show and Madras totally belongs to him. Hari who plays Johnny, a mad man and Rama as Kaali’s mother have done a justice to their roles and leave you laughing.
The colourful setting is superbly-realized on screen. We see the cramped living rooms, the peeled-off walls, the narrow bylanes, the busy playgrounds, the corporation water pumps, the flirting, the quick tempers, the loud conversations and the prideful people.... It is such a lived-in world that we feel like we have stepped into the colony where the action takes place, and the detailing is terrific. The towering wall, with Jayabalan's gigantic face, is such an ominous presence throughout the film. Santhosh Narayanan's minimalist score plays a huge role in giving a different colour to the film.
Ranjith has excelled in showing the life in North Chennai down to the finest details, the environment, the people and life around the water tap are shown beautifully. Santhosh Narayanan’s music and background score and moulded for the movie. His minimalist score plays a huge role in giving a different colour to the film.
Verdict : Ranjith scores again! Madras is the right blend of raw action and commercial entertainment with a screenplay that will keep you hooked. Santhosh's soulful music and Karthi's brilliant performance, are other reasons this movie is a must watch.
Rating : 3.2 / 5
Post a Comment