Writing a review for a movie released some 2-3 yrs back feels funny, But then I guess it doesnt matter when it happens to be the only decent movie u have watched in a looong time!
I assume we all know that the movie is all abt shakti and karthik being in love and getting married and err.. not living happily ever after..what makes the movie different is this absolutely fresh perspective which says, ’’Yeah dumbos Love is all sweet and nice..but wait till reality hits’’.
There are lots of cutie cutie scenes in the movie. Like when karthik says ’ithellam nadanthudumonnu bayamma irukku..yosichu sollu’ (am afraid falling in love will happen, why dont u think abt it and say?) and when she asks whether he fails often, and when the land lady asks whether they are actually married and when shakthi keeps saying I love you in the end...and..a lot of them actually, which’ll leave a smile in your faces whenever u think abt them..
I think the best part of the movie is this relateability u have with all those characters..They are Oh so urban youth, with their bikes, cigerretes, electric train journeys, ghalis to each other..what not? U just feel like u r karthick or shakthi’s frd, getting them married, seeing them go thru hell, and silently pray for them to get back..
and the part when Khushboo and Arvindswamy come into the scene..their love..it teaches not only karthik, but also us, a few lessons in relationships..to give and love and just keep loving..
The performances are neatly done.. We need to mention shakti’s mom and karthik’s dad characters as well..amazing characterisation....Maniratnam’s undoubted talent in film making comes across very well.
Music is again one of the best of our times.. the picturisation definitely deserves a special mention, , , cant think of anyone else who can capture the beauty of Indian Locales in such a manner but for maniratnam.
But what stands out in alaipayuthey above all these technical wizardries is this really soft sneaking in feeling u get through out the movie..U love, live, cry, get angry and go maad with shakthi and karthick..u just get so involved that it becomes such a rollercoaster ride of emotions which stays close to your heart for a loong loong time! one of those rarest times when media reflects life..
all in all, if u want to fall in love, with the idea of love..just dont miss this one!