Game over - movie review
A pakka Hollywoodish movie. For those who crib that our guys slow up the movie with songs and dance this movie would be the answer. A very bold attempt to say the least. No unnecessary scenes – be it humour or romance or sentiment. With a running time of under 2 hours, it felt like a slightly extended short film. But credit to the director for ensuring that, the impact, would’ve been created by a short film, has been maintained and ensured.
The movie starts with probably, the most violent beginning ever witnessed in tamil or Indian cinema I would say. Makes one wonder, whether the UA rating was justified. May be they went by the logic(!!) that, you simply don’t rate a movie on one scene alone, even if it involves a beheading, with the head being kicked around like a football and burning the rest of the body. But considering that, as the movie progresses, it could all be diabolically symbolic, could’ve been the reason(?) for a more accommodative rating. It is a dark movie to say the least, literally and figuratively. But considering that there are multiple interpretations possible, some may think, it is somewhat a different take on liberation and female empowerment as well !! Wonder, should all these have to be wrapped up so much into so many layers. For a casual movie watcher like me, who just watches movies for the thrill of it, the movie wouldn’t make immediate sense. Since the premise was intriguing, I googled across multiple reviews and got some idea about the way in which it has been depicted. Not sure if such a level of thought process went on the minds of the makers themselves, but some of the reviews would put HBR analysis to shame. Literalla room poattu yosipanga pola!!! Symbolism rules the roost and its left for open interpretation of the viewers. What happens on that new year? Was Tapsee assaulted along with her friend or was it an isolated incident? Is that entire house set up an illusion or real? Is the story happening in real time or dream? Is it actually a ghost taking revenge story masquerading as a mean thriller? Answer as you wish and the movie would fit in the genre you want it to be.
Very few characters and except for the policeman, who has a 2 minute appearance, rest are all women, who count to 5. The story has only Tapsee (heroine and laddu performance. Wonder why she doesn’t do much in tamil) for major portions of second half and that too with hardly any dialogue. BGM more than makes up for it, sufficiently supported by good acting. I like the lady who plays the maid. She is effortlessly original across all the movies, she has played so far- aandavan kattalai, va.va.sangam, etc. Vijay TV Ramya has a thakkunundu role. But possibly the game changer from story line perspective. With most of the scenes happening overnight time, second half would’ve been the cheapest movie section ever filmed I guess. Oray oru veedu. No lighting. No dialogue. Just Tapsee and the maid lady, screaming and rushing scared. But on big screen, it would surely raise some jump scare moments.
Gils verdict – Tapsee is Topsy in the movie. Semma performance. Aana, Chennai thaandi padam oduma therila. Definitely meant for multiplex and mall theater audience. But very well executed for the target audience. An original attempt that could become a cult classic down the line.
The movie starts with probably, the most violent beginning ever witnessed in tamil or Indian cinema I would say. Makes one wonder, whether the UA rating was justified. May be they went by the logic(!!) that, you simply don’t rate a movie on one scene alone, even if it involves a beheading, with the head being kicked around like a football and burning the rest of the body. But considering that, as the movie progresses, it could all be diabolically symbolic, could’ve been the reason(?) for a more accommodative rating. It is a dark movie to say the least, literally and figuratively. But considering that there are multiple interpretations possible, some may think, it is somewhat a different take on liberation and female empowerment as well !! Wonder, should all these have to be wrapped up so much into so many layers. For a casual movie watcher like me, who just watches movies for the thrill of it, the movie wouldn’t make immediate sense. Since the premise was intriguing, I googled across multiple reviews and got some idea about the way in which it has been depicted. Not sure if such a level of thought process went on the minds of the makers themselves, but some of the reviews would put HBR analysis to shame. Literalla room poattu yosipanga pola!!! Symbolism rules the roost and its left for open interpretation of the viewers. What happens on that new year? Was Tapsee assaulted along with her friend or was it an isolated incident? Is that entire house set up an illusion or real? Is the story happening in real time or dream? Is it actually a ghost taking revenge story masquerading as a mean thriller? Answer as you wish and the movie would fit in the genre you want it to be.
Very few characters and except for the policeman, who has a 2 minute appearance, rest are all women, who count to 5. The story has only Tapsee (heroine and laddu performance. Wonder why she doesn’t do much in tamil) for major portions of second half and that too with hardly any dialogue. BGM more than makes up for it, sufficiently supported by good acting. I like the lady who plays the maid. She is effortlessly original across all the movies, she has played so far- aandavan kattalai, va.va.sangam, etc. Vijay TV Ramya has a thakkunundu role. But possibly the game changer from story line perspective. With most of the scenes happening overnight time, second half would’ve been the cheapest movie section ever filmed I guess. Oray oru veedu. No lighting. No dialogue. Just Tapsee and the maid lady, screaming and rushing scared. But on big screen, it would surely raise some jump scare moments.
Gils verdict – Tapsee is Topsy in the movie. Semma performance. Aana, Chennai thaandi padam oduma therila. Definitely meant for multiplex and mall theater audience. But very well executed for the target audience. An original attempt that could become a cult classic down the line.
Comments
The lady's name is Tapsee ?? Haven't heard a name like that before....