TAMIL FILM REVIEW:
Family Entertainer: Mandmadhan Ambu
Cast: Kamal Haasan, R. Madhavan, Trisha Krishnan, Ramesh Arvind, Sangeetha, Urvashi, Kitty, Usha Uthup, Maju Pillai, Oviya and Kunjan
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Director: K.S. Ravikumar
This much-awaited Kamal Haasan film, coming as it does from a renowned director and big producer, raises expectations sky high.
While the film does not meet all expectations, it doesn’t cease to entertain and keep the viewer pinned to the seat with some roller coaster action, picturesque scenery, peppy music and lively proceedings with a talented star cast.
The story revolves around Ambu (Trisha) who is an actor. She has a very suspicious fiancé in Madan (Madhavan) who suspects her of affairs with co stars.
The lovers have a tiff. Ambu takes a break from it all to meet her divorced school friend Deepa (Sangeetha) in Europe and the duo, with Deepa’s two kids, go on a Mediterranean cruise.
However, the suspicious lover hasn’t given up. He sends detective Major R. Mannar (Kamal) after her to find out what she is up to. When the rich man does not pay up according to plan, the detective decides to make up a story of Ambu meeting a lover. This angers Madan, who lands up in Europe on their trail. What ensues is a comedy of errors with a series of rib tickling situations.
Credible performances by all, including Trisha, dubbing for herself for the first time, are a big plus. Maddy and Sangeetha excel in their roles and Kamal fans will delight to see him without the trappings of avatars.
The music is peppy and apt and the special number with Surya in the beginning is a treat in itself.
The story moves briskly and the picturesque locations are a huge draw. The right mix of comedy and sentiment make it a good, clean family entertainer. The dialogues by Kamal are sharp and at times thought provoking.
The cruise ship setting works wonders for the film and offers something different on the Tamil screen.
However, the movie is not without its flaws. The final pairing in the climax comes as a surprise since the Kamal- Trisha pairing doesn’t look credibly portrayed.
Urvashi, known for her wit, is wasted as she is forever crying.
Too many English dialogues may be irksome for average Tamil cinema viewers.
The script in the second half could have been better. The assembling of all the characters in the climax looks odd. Kamal’s role doesn’t challenge the veteran.
[Chennai Online]
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