Movie: Sethupathi
Direction: S U Arun Kumar
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Remya Nambeesan
Music: Nivas K Prasanna
Cinematographer: Dinesh Krishnan
Editor: Sreekar Prasad
Genre: Action
Rating: ∗∗½
What is it about: It’s a story of an honest Police Officer who gets accused of an incident which triggers an accident making him a target. This is directed by SU Arun Kumar with Vijay Sethupathi playing the title role.
Why it’s disappointing: The film had a great premise to develop a commercial cop thriller drama, the director tried to establish the premise well. But couldn’t sustain it through out. Director SU Arun Kumar from the fame of “Pannaiyarum Padminiyum” couldn’t revive the grace which the first film had.
The films motive was to show Vijay Sethupathi in a role which he’s not seen before. It does establish him as a MASS hero but falls flat at most places. May be the makers were trying to tone down the mass factor, but it didn’t work cinematically. I kind of felt disjointed with most of the scenes, may be the trailer made you anticipate a film on the lines of “Saamy” and “Dhil”.
Remya Nambeesan was used for the sake of a wives role, nothing much but the chemistry between Vijay and Remya saved the role. The main villain was not convincing enough to carry off the character. And finally the songs in the movie seemed little forced.
Due to these factors the film doesn’t appeal to be what it had promised in its trailer.
What to watch out for: Vijay Sethupathi’s charisma and screen presence saved this movie, which carried the film forward which was less on Mass factor required. Vijay Sethupathi does look great in most of the scenes, he did a great job in exhibiting the importance of the role, but with little room for exploration he becomes helpless. Still managed to nudge the obvious and moved forward.
Then comes the kids who played the role of Vijay Sethupathi’s son and daughter. They were convincingly funny and adorable.
Following these kids there were two more characters in the film who rose well in their respective characters. Linga as the Sub-Inspector and Vivek Prasanna as brother-in-law of the villain. Vivek had a great timing which derived his character well, which he played with great funny antics registering his character well with the audience. He brings in most of the laughs in the movie, especially with one which gets a huge applause in the cinema hall. Linga did a commendable job too, who fits the attire and the character well, the one who couldn’t make a difference between a real comment and sarcasm.
And also look for a character in the last few minutes of the film, who will amuse you well enough.
The cinematography by Dinesh Krishnan was good which was well cut by Sreekar Prasad. Score by Nivas Prasanna was good and would have been great if at all was placed well.
Verdict: Sethupathi by Arun Kumar couldn’t hold the grip it required for the character. It might work well with the B and C centres but will not much with the multiplex audience. A film which is more a family drama than a cop thriller.
