Saturday, 19 September 2009

Unnaipol Oruvan - Review


Why you probably want to watch it:



  • Kamal and Mohanlal come together for the first time

  • Kamal's bold new move close on the heels of two big blockbusters (Vettiayadu Vilaiyadu and Dashavatharam)

  • A remake of 'A Wednesday' one of 2008's most outstanding films

The good: Terrific performances by the entire cast (Especially Kamal and Mohanlal), Gripping, Linear script and tight editing (Running time of just 110 minutes), mood setting background music by Shruthi Hassan


The bad: No major cribs


Look out for: Kamal's emotional outburst towards the end of the film; one of his best scenes in a long time


Bottomline: Does Unnaipol Oruvan mark a new boldness in Kamal's long and illustrious career. A boldness that saw him experiment with roles and themes other actors would not touch way back in the 70s and the 80s? His last two films set the B.ox O.ffice on fire (VV in 2006 and Dash in 2008) and now he is back with a remake of what was essentially a multiplex film. UPO works because it is a faithful remake of a good film with minor modifications to capture local sensibilities. Kamal is outstanding as the 'Common Man' who holds Chennai to ransom with a set of bombs planted across the city. He is pitted against the cool, shrewd Police Commissioner Marar, essayed brilliantly by Mohanlal. For all those who keep arguing about who (Between Kamal and Mohanlal) is the better actor, I was reminded about the old Parrys Coffee Bite Ad after watching UPO - "The Arguement Continues'. These two guys elevate the film with their powerhouse performances and are backed by a super script & dialogues, great editing & visuals and mood-setting background music by Shruthi Hassan. UPO is a gripping, tense film and more than worth a watch; it takes Tamil Commercial Cinema into new territory. I only hope the BO vindicates Kamal's bold move.


Running Time: 110 minutes

2 comments:

uvaraj said...

I watched this movie yesterday and agree with your review. Script and dialogues and camera work are also stars besides kamal, and mohanlal. amazing and touching...

Siva said...

I did watch UPO today and that it has come after the last year's Mumbai Terrorist Attacks and the on going issues in various parts of our country, it undoubtedly triggers a kind of sensible thought in the minds of the watchers of this movie. And the thought is "Are we Cowards?". It is the story of a common man who drives a well charted and drafted plan for killing four of the deadly terrorists. Hats off to Kamal Sir and Lal Sir for literally living on their respective roles, with others who have done justice to their's. The only doubt in this movie is " Is that a common man would be so brainy enough in tracing the mobile nos of the dead ones who have lost their lives in either of the terrorist attacks? How did the jeep was parcked beforehand in the runway without anybody's intervention?