Love On The Tracks
Film: OK Kanmani (Tamil with
English subtitles)
Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Nithya
Menon, Prakash Raj
Directed by: Mani Ratnam
Duration: 2 hrs 20 mins
Rating: * * *
Mani Ratnam’s OK Kanmani marks a return for him to the
romance genre – lightweight and easy going, it provides some decent
entertainment and as the case with all Mani Ratnam films, the visuals are
stunning.
In terms of a plot, there isn’t a
great deal happening which makes it Mani saar’s job even more difficult and
hence, praiseworthy. Set in Mumbai, Adi (Dulquer Salmaan) is a gaming software
developer with plans to go to the U.S. Prakash Raj plays his landlord and his
wife (Leela Samson) is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s, in spite of the travails, they are as happy
a couple as can be.
Adi meets Tara (Nithya Menon,
terrific) an architect, and before you can cheese, the two fall in love. But
they also make a pact, they will enjoy the relationship as best as they can but
never get married. These things have happened in other films before so you know
exactly where it is heading and how it will end.
But in spite of the
predictability of the story, Ratnam manages to hold your attention. Whether it
is the city of Mumbai,
his favorite train rides or the rain drenched climax, there are some remarkable
scenes. And even today, no one picturizes songs with the kind of zing that
Ratnam does.
It also helps that the chemistry
between the lead players is terrific. Nithya Menon is quite a revelation and Dulquer
Salmaan gives her good company.
The film is a bit stretched
specially in the later half and some trimming was the order of the day. But the
flaws not withstanding, OK Kanmani still
makes the cut.
Published in The Navhind Times, Goa on 19th April 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment