October 30, 2005

Sivakasi doesn't deliver its potential

Sivakasi runs for a full three hours - without any interval. To be fair, the movie doesn’t feel that long. This is mainly because it is two separate stories, one before the interval and one after. This would be fine if only they were any good.

The first half of the movie tells the love story between Sivakasi (Vijay) and Hema (Asin). Sivakasi works at a welding shop and Hema is the daughter of a rich jewellery merchant. There isn’t really any issue at all in the love story. Sivakasi berates, makes fun of and teases Hema and in the end, Sivakasi gives a reason for why he did it. It seems Vijay was trying to compete with Rajinikanth’s character in Chandramukhi to see who could insult the heroine more and still end up with the heroine. The only difference I suppose is that in the end, Sivakasi admits he was wrong about something, though not related to how treats Hema and her family.
In the second half of the movie, Sivakasi confronts his past. Even though the second half is a clichéd revenge story, it had all the ingredients necessary for a hero. However, it doesn’t live up to its potential.

Vijay does have the star persona, no doubt about it. He has already proved himself capable in dances. The special effects added in his fight scenes in Sivakasi add an electric effect during his fight scenes. His introduction is no less than superstar material. When he is locked in his shop, he cuts his figure’s shape using a welding torch and kicks out the shape with his leg.

Asin doesn’t have much scope in the movie but manages to fill her scenes. She is able to emote well especially when she shows mock anger. Prakashraj delivers in the role of the villain and this is just yet another feather in his cap. However, the screenplay makes his dialogues a little too repetitive.

Director Perarasu does a cameo role solely to introduce himself and roll out his title credit. Directors like K. Bhagyaraj have a right to bring attention to their name. They have proved themselves. Perarasu’s introduction seemed nothing more than cheap gimmick.

The movie states the obvious by showing that using movie stars in election campaigns makes all the difference and a campaign does not need to spend any attention on issues. The movie seems to justify it by stating that using cinema is the only way to fight against money power. Even if it may be the truth, it doesn't seem appropriate.

Nayanthara plays herself as she appears in a cameo role for a single song. The song “Kodambakkam area” with Vijay and Jayanthara turned out to be the overall best among all the songs. Among the other songs, only “En theivathukkey maaruveshama” and “Ithu enna puthu ulagam” are mentionable with good lyrics.

Posted by kjagasiv at October 30, 2005 4:47 PM

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