What Is the Story About?
Prakash (Pradeep Anthony) is an average guy working in an IT firm in Chennai. He has a very ordinary and mundane life where nothing seems to be going his way. There is no peace at home and personally and professionally.
Prakash’s life changes when he meets a distant cousin at a funeral. He falls for her instantly only to later realise that she is already married and has a kid, too. How Yathramma and Yathra, the kid, re-enter Prakash’s life and what turns it takes to change it comprises the movie’s basic plot.
Performances?
Pradeep Anthony fits the bill perfectly of an average looking guy who is a loser. There is a perennially plastered irritated and sombre expression that does the trick concerning the narrative. The story offers him to explore different shades, and he is partly successful in doing so.
Analysis
Arun Prabhu Purushottaman of Aruvi fame directs Vaazhl. The movie is a coming of age tale focusing on living life freely as per one’s wish. As the saying goes, the simplest things are the hardest to execute; we understand that here with Vaazhl.
Arun Prabhu’s unique style is visible from the start itself. It makes the routine look interesting, like the beginning. If not for that, the proceedings would be as ordinary as they can get.
The establishment of the world drags a bit, but it is alright due to the mix of black comedy and morbid sense of humour. The first interaction of the hero and heroine is a classic example. Prakash falls for the girl at a funeral.
What follows is further bizarre situations, one after the other with the same comic mix as above intact. It keeps one engaged despite the over the top happenings.
Some not so pleasant events later, the pair embarks on a road trip. It is here that Vaazhl loses track or connects with the viewers. The actions and sequences happening are not everyone’s cup of tea. A section might like it, but others might simply stop the movie.
The interaction with the older man and the whole block has an excellent idea behind it. But, the final output leaves a lot to be desired considering the lack of compelling quality. It isn’t easy to sit through. However, it is again followed by an unpredictable and interesting interval block.
The real issue comes in the last one hour, where Vaazhl goes completely haywire. It goes on and on with more emphasis on the theme of living freely than providing an engaging narrative via a story. The latter is almost non-existent. What we see is only a collection of thoughts in picturesque locations.
The ending doesn’t do much either. It is a relief that the movie finally ended, giving us a constant message throughout. The lead discovers his inner self and attains freedom and peace, but it leaves the viewer with a sense of frustration and irritation.
Overall, Vaazhl picks a nice theme and delivers a message on it. But, it loses interest as it fails to do so via a story and meandering nature. If you like unconventional narratives, give Vaazhl a try. If you don’t, then stay away.
Other Artists?
TJ Bhanu is terrific. She plays a mercurial personality with ease and confidence. It could very well have turned out irritating, but it is to her credit that it shaped out well. The kid does his part well. Pradeep Anthony, TJ Bhanu and the kid drive the narrative mostly. The rest are fine as they fit the world created by the director and do their jobs adequately.
Music and Other Departments?
Pradeep Kumar provides the music, and it is superb. The songs and the background score offer the much necessary feel big time. That Vaazhl still falters should tell how spectacularly the narrative fails. The cinematography by Shelley Calist is brilliant. The countryside of Tamil Nadu and other exotic locations have been picturesquely presented. The editing by Raymond Derrick Crasta is okay. The writing works in parts.Highlights?
Music
Cinematography
Few Funny Sequences
Drawbacks?
Non-existent Story
Muddled Narrative
Did I Enjoy It?
NoWill You Recommend It?
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