Meiyazhagan
‘Meiyazhagan’ is a heartwarming slice of life story about relationships within extended family, and how memories touch and forever change us. Arul returns to his beloved hometown twenty-two years after he was ripped from everything he knew by a family dispute. He is in receipt of a wedding invitation sent of a much-loved cousin. He plans to present a gift, stay for awhile, and catch the train to home by nightfall. In the wedding hall, he meets a unfamiliar man who seems to know him well. Arul’s embarresment and discomfort grow as he searches his memory for a clue to the man’s identity. Directed by Premkumar (’96’), the performances of Arul (Arvind Swami) and the man (Karthi) are real and relatable. The film lovingly It is currently streaming on Netflix.evokes a longing for past places and relationships. ‘Meiyazhagan’ is currently streaming on Netflix.
Maharaja
‘Maharaja’ is a barber in the city of Chennai. A quiet, serious man whose life follows a set routine year after year. He is a widower who lives with his beloved daughter Jothi, a star athelete at her school. Jothi is returning from a week at sports camp, and Maharaja is looking forward to seeing her. When he arrives home he is confronted by three men out to killl him. The story weave its’ way back and forth in time, revealing a past of evil and tragedy. The police become involved, but must be bribed into cooperating with Maharaja. By the end of this facinating movie, all the clues sprinkled throughout become clear. Vijay Sethupathi is wonderful simple in his role as Maharja. He has a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong, going to the extreme to see that right prevails. Anurag Kashyap as the main villain is totally believable as a two-faced villain indifferent to the harm he causes. ‘Maharaja’ was written and directed by Nithilan Saminathan. I watched the movie twice but could watch it a few more times to enjoy Vijay Sethupathi in this role. The movie is currently streaming on Netflix.
Amaran
‘Amaran’ is an action war film depicting real life Major Mukund Varadarajan, a true military hero. Indhu Varghese and Arsheya Mukund meet and fall in love in college. They meet with opposition in the form of his mother and her father, who eventually relent and give permission to marry. Mukund has had a dream since he was a boy to become a soldier. After college, he does well in the Officers Training Academy and rises in the ranks to Captain. Mukund first serves in the United Nations Syria-Lebanon border, and later as the Company Commander of a Counter Assault Team in Kashmir. The team is often faced with hostal civilians and murderous attacks by terrorists. Mukund develops a plan to find and eliminate two terrorist leaders. The movie contains training, battles, strategy sessions, and loyalty and friendship within the team. Writer director Rajkumar Periasamy lets the voice of Indhu tell Mukund’s story with pride and passion. Actress Sai Pallavi is sweet as a young woman in love who matures into a strong and capable partner. Sivakarthikeyan transforms into a dedicated and courgeous officer. ‘Amaran’ brings patriotism for country and the resilient emotions of each heroes family to life in an exciting film.
The Greatest of All Time
‘The Greatest of All Time’ gives ViJay Joseph’s fans lots to love. Vijay will only make one more movie before quitting the Tamil film industry to go into politics, In this action spy thriller, Vijay plays M.S. Gandhi, a top member of a Special Anti-Terrorism Squad, hiding his identlty from his family by pretending to work in a travel agency. Gandhi is sent on mission to Bangkok. Believing there is no danger involved on this job, he takes his overly-suspicious, pregnant wife, Anu, and 5-year-old son, Jeevan, with him on “vacation”. When Anu suddenly goes into labor, Gandhi grabs her and Jeevan and rushes to the hospital where his son mysteriously goes missing. When the police find a small charred body at the sight of a car crash, they believe it is Jeevan. Anu delivers a baby girl but blames Gandhi for Jeevan’s death and they separate. Years pass and Gandhi is sent to Moscow, where the Indian Embassy has been attacked. While attacking the bad guys, he is shocked when he notices one of the gang is his younger double. Yes, much to my enjoyment, Vijay is playing a double and a triple role in the film. Writer and director Venkat Prabhu has filled GOAT with what I love about Vijay, his quirkly comic timing, vulnerability, terrific action and dance numbers. You can watch ‘The Greatest of All Time’ on Netflix.