What Is the Story About?
Natraj (Natraj S Bhat) is a failed actor who decides to turn director. He has an ingenious plan for a movie and a friend to produce it. What is the idea and how it affects the lives of various people, including the director and producer, is the movie’s primary storyline.
Performances?
A film like Man Of The Match offers a perfect definition of ensemble cast production. There are no particular lead actors in the movie, although symbolically, a couple, Natraj S Bhat and Dharmanna Kadooru, do appear that way. They play the director and the producer, respectively.
Natraj is the only actor with a toned-down part, at least for a significant portion. However, he does nothing much apart from a hysterical satirical laugh. Dharmanna is better playing an over the top character. He relishes it and delivers the required.
The pitch of Man Of The Match is over the top, and it is reflected in everyone’s acting. From seasoned actors like Sundar Veena to Veena Sundar and others, everyone gets to the high pitch sooner or later. Atharva Prakasha and Mayuri Natraj are wasted. Brunda Vikram is alright towards the end.
Analysis
D Satya Prakash directs Man Of The Match. It is an experimental narrative amalgamating a few real-life issues thrown in equal measures.
The idea is to capture the ‘real time’ feelings and emotions of wannabe actors who have come for auditions. The entire movie takes place in and outside a studio floor taken for the shoot.
The people who have come for auditions are given scenes to enact with no written dialogues. They have to improvise on the spot. How the improvisations lead to conflict between the various people and subsequently result in drama is what the director aims to capture.
It is an excellent idea, and while doing so, the questions related to morality and what is right and wrong is also neatly placed. They are pertinent issues in the present reality show age. Everything is entertainment today. What if someone turns another’s plight into entertainment.
While the ideas are alright and contemporary, the core point is not new. We have seen the same in different styles and forms. Man Of The Match presents a quirky, low-budget version of the same. Unfortunately, the experiment doesn’t work.
The whole narrative feels chaotic from the start. It doesn’t help that everyone overacts like there is no tomorrow. The good parts are drowned in the loudness.
Also, it is towards the end the questions are raised, and some tracks reach a conclusion. Only then some sense of cohesiveness is formed from the proceedings.
On the whole, Man Of The Match is an experimental narrative with a decent, modern core idea. However, the execution fails from the start and turns mildly acceptable towards the end. Watch it if you have lots of patience and time. Otherwise, stay away.
Other Artists?
Music and Other Departments?
Vasuki Vaibhav provides the music for the movie. The songs add to the length, but the good thing is that they are mostly montages. The background score is alright in parts. Madan Katokar and Lavith provide the cinematography. It is poor, mostly. Considering the single location, it is a difficult job, no doubt, but the whole thing could have been slickly presented. BS Kemparaju’s editing lends a messy feel to the narrative. The writing is acceptable in crucial moments.
Highlights?
Basic Concept
Some Parts Towards The End
Length
Drawbacks?
Messy Execution
Over The Top Acting
Technically Weak
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Man Of The Match Kannada Review by Binged Bureau