First things first. Raam is director Amir’s second product, after his Smash-Hit debut ‘Mounam Pesiyadhey’. The trailers promised the average viewer something different, weird and spooky to be precise. It promised the revival of a genre that was long forgotten and ignored by Tamil Film-makers, Horror. A genre that film-maker’s dreaded to tread, fearing outright rejection, even ridicule from the audience and critics alike. Also, these movies required the kind of Budgets and Special Effects that our people haven’t even thought/imagined of!
Amir is a very clever man. First, he made his debut film Mounam Pesiyadhey with Top-line actors like Surya and Trisha, and that itself was enough to get the film a decent initial. The film was unnecessarily hyped and touted to be a “Different” film. Was it really that good?? I saw it a few months after it had released, after all the hype died down, and to my surprise, found it to be Mediocre!! It had a few good songs, some punch dialogues/impromptu speeches/sermons delivered by Surya to girls, guys, his parents, and friends. Apart from that, it was plain Rubbish!! No signs of a proper story, meandering screenplay which forced songs into the narrative and made the story move at snails pace, and unrealistic characters which never seemed to touch base with reality at any point!
This really brought my hopes crashing down like a Glacier that caused an Avalanche. I vowed never to touch this guy’s movies again because they’re all just hype. No substance. When Raam released, I stayed away from it as long as I could, because I could not justify the need to spend/waste 2-3 hours on glorified rubbish. But media reports, MS reviews were all positive on the movie, and yet again I told myself that the trap is being laid, it’s only a question of when I decide to fall in it! Finally, my mom purchased the VCD of the movie and I fell into the trap! So what did I feel?
Thanks for stayin with me till here. Now begins the review!!
Raam tells the story of Ramakrishnan, a college going boy who leads a Different Life. He stands on the rooftop of his house chimney and chants slogans aloud. He is brought up by his mother, and they lead a happy life till she discovers that he has enormous power, and a destructive rage that can demolish anything that comes in his path. She is concerned about his behavior and fights in college, and his visits to some Swami who teaches slogans and delivers sermons.
Between all this is his neighbor, a Sub-Inspector and his family. The SI can’t stand the sight of Raam and thinks he is a menace to society. His son is Raam’s friend in college, and his daughter also studies in the same college. Fact is that she loves Raam. Her father thinks she has gone Bonkers. Then all of a sudden, Raam and his mother are found in a Pool of Blood. What? Why? How?
Raam is a Classic example of a film-maker’s vision that reflects beautifully on the screen. No, I won’t say the movie is Brilliant, and Ameer is the next Manirathnam/Shankar in the making. He still has a long way to go. But, I feel he has broken the shackles and tried to make something without bending or surrendering to commercial parameters like 4 songs, 2 fights, and punch dialogues. In that respect, the movie is Really Different.
Raam is a classic example of how success can be achieved without having to fly to New Zealand or Switzerland, or erecting huge sets for songs and fights. Employ a Talented Cinematographer like Ramji, who can work wonders given a beautiful location, and Switzerland will look pale compared to Kodaikanal in winter! Also, the eeriness in the atmosphere is beautifully captured throughout the film.
Raam is an example of how Details can really enhance the impact that a character creates in the minds of the audience. R. B. Choudary’s son, who was almost down and out, gets a role of a lifetime, and thanks to the director’s ability, he delivers a Bravura Performance. Clearly, a lot of time and effort has gone into tweaking himself for the role, and it has paid off handsomely for the young lad. Clearly one of the best performances of the year!
Malayali actor Rehman, again down and out, delivers a Knockout as the Police Officer investigating the case. His height, poise and makeup suit the character perfectly and the interrogation scenes are among the best in the movie. His confrontation scenes with the sub-inspector too are skillfully handled by Amir.
The surprise packet of the film though, is the character Vazhavandhan! He gives an endearing and wonderful performance that comes as a welcome relief from the serious tone that pervades throughout the movie. But as the plot progresses, his scenes don’t gel with the movie and feel a little forced into the narrative.
Raam is an example of how intelligently the director can divert the audience’s attention from the drawbacks in his product. Raam doesn’t boast of a great star cast. The presentation isn’t exactly what you would call slick-chic or modern. In today’s times, where Action Movies have become a craze, this film actually defies rules by experimenting. Yet it works!
Raam has an Unconventional Storyline. The characterization, plot development is all new to Tamil audience, who have been used to the sophisticated technology shown in Hollywood Horror and Mystery films. The screenplay has some interesting gimmicks and tricks up its sleeve, which keeps the audience at the edge of their seat for most of the film. The story focuses on one character and doesn’t meander into unwanted sub-plots like love. But the screenplay is skillful enough to make sure the character doesn’t appear in every scene (like Kamal Haasan movies). Even the songs that appear at regular intervals don’t seem to impede the pacing. But it shows that film-makers still feel insecure about making thrillers without song and dance.
Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score is superb at most places and succeeds in creating a Spooky Atmosphere. His utilization of musical instruments used in Kathakali (Kerala’s traditional dance) is amazing.
Raam features some really memorable scenes that linger in memory for some time! Like the scenes immediately after his mother’s funeral. The cinematography and conceptualization is simply Awesome and Breathtaking, especially in the scene where he is shown praying on top of a hill. And the scene where he watches a fish lying on the floor of his house and breaks the door, along with the frame by banging on it! Superb!
Raam is TRULY a different film that deserves to be seen by one and all. The masses should begin digesting and enjoying quality cinema, rather than just coming to watch item numbers, comedy scenes or some mindless boloney. Demand quality entertainment, and thy shall get it.