STAR WARS - EPISODE IX - THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (ENGLISH) (2019)

An above average flick that is quite enjoyable in its own right. Nevertheless, it does fall short of the previous installment - The Last Jedi - which continues to stand tall like The Dark Night.

In any case, creating a film that could be considered a satisfying finale for an iconic series that has spanned more than four decades is akin to attempting an inter-galactic leap of several zillion light years. 

Director JJ Abrams has succeeded to a fair extent in this formulaic flick that checks multiple boxes including magnificent action set pieces, several nostalgic nudges to the previous movies and enough emotional heft that one could seek in such franchise fare.

AN ENJOYABLE WATCH !!

RATING - 3/5

PS - I watched it in a 4DX  Audi ... My first experience of the 4DX format .. was thoroughly enjoyable as it added an element of zing to the on-screen action .. and, most importantly, i loved the fact that there was no break and I could enjoy the entire movie in one go.

GANTUMOOTE (aka BAGGAGE) (KANNADA) (2019)

In Gantumoote, debutante director Roopa Rao beautifully blends a coming of age tale with an in-depth character study of her protaganist - Meera, who is also our narrator. The major portions of the movie which is set in the early 1990s revolves around an intense teen romance of Meera with her classmate Madhu. It is a romance that lingers on to create ripples through her life well into her adulthood. This teen love story is showcased with a rare sensitivity and without any frills that cry out for attention or sundry commercial compromises.

Director Roopa Rao builds the narrative of this school time romance with a good deal of poise and grace. The budding interests, and its evolution  into a warm romance is captured with great care and authenticity punctuated through poetic voice-overs, several stolen glances, those sheepish looks, multiple magical moments when two sets of eyes converge to exchange private notes within a crowded classroom and the loving gazes that sets both the hearts aflutter. 

The fact that she could convey the intensity of the emotional tumult within Meera as she goes through the journey of life without translating the same into melodramatic scenes is a testimony to the maturity of Roopa Rao and her mastery over the medium.

The cinematography by Sahadev Kelavadi is unobtrusive as it captures the precious moments without compromising on their innocent charm. Background score and songs by Aparajith Sris has the rythm of a summer day's gentle breeze that caresses the back of our neck to pleasently surprise us.

Roopa and her team deserve kudos for their apt casting choices for the lead pair as well as the entire supporting cast. Teju Belawadi dives into the heart of the character of Meera and aces the entire palette of emotions with those big expressive eyes. Nishchith Korodi provides a perfect foil as he rings in the right kind of boyish charm as well as the vulnerabilities of Madhu.

Gantumoote feels like a personal conversation that we have with our closest of friends. During the course of the movie, we feel similarly connected to Meera as she confides in us and bares her soul. Both the debutantes - the director, Roopa Rao and the lead actor Teju Belawadi - have heralded themselves as talents to look out for the future.

Overall, Gantumoote is a delicately crafted, deeply personal, poetic movie that surprises you often with its unique perspective and is sure to stay on with the viewers long after they have watched it. 

A GEM ! A MUST WATCH !!

RATING - 4/5

PS - Gantumoote is streaming on Amazon Prime Video

IRANDAAM ULAGAPORIN KADAISI GUNDU (aka THE LAST BOMB OF SECOND WORLD WAR) (TAMIL) (2019)

An unexploded bomb from second world war washes ashore near the coast of Mahabalipuram, a historic town in Tamil Nadu. If it detonates, it could cause widespread destruction wiping out everything in a large radius. It slips through the hands of cops who seize it initially and begins a perilous journey from one scrapyard to another where it is seen as just another piece of rusting metal. Meanwhile, the cops and their masters are desperate to retrieve it as its discovery could open a can of worms that they seek to conceal.

Our protagonist Selvam (Dinesh), a truck driver, is unwittingly assigned the task of transporting the bomb along with a load of sundry metal scrap. Selvam has a running feud with the owner of the scrapyard for insulting him as well as his general attitude towards the workers of the yard. He is secretly working on his ambition to own a truck through his savings and quit the job in the scrapyard. Selvam is also in love with Chitra (Anandhi), a trained teacher from his village. However, her family which is steeped in patriarchy is vehemently opposed to their marriage as they are unwilling to accept a match from a lower class. She escapes her family and joins Selvam mid-way through his trip when he is transporting the cargo from Chennai to Pondicherry. Meanwhile, Tanya (Riythvika, in an impressive cameo), an activist cum investigative journalist is struggling to unearth the truth behind the bomb. The rest of the narrative sees the journey of the bomb with Selvam and their path crisscrossing with Chitra, Chitra's family as well as the cops and Tanya who are chasing the bomb for their own respective reasons.

Debutante director Athiran Athirai has cooked up a raw, genre-jumping recipe that blends elements of a tense thriller, road movie, love story, message movie on class/caste struggle garnished with a generous helping of humour. While some of the elements might feel generic and formulaic, it is to the credit of the director that and the sincerity he infuses into the project that most of the elements work to deliver the desired effect.

Dinesh fits the role of the truck driver Selvam effortlessly and handles the whole range of emotions convincingly. Anandhi provides an ideal foil and turns in a neat performance in the role of Chitra, which resonates quite a bit with her role in Pariyerum Perumal. Muneeshkanth is in fine form and spot on with his comic timing in the role of Puncture.  Debutante composer Tenma has turned out a stand-out score and an earthy soundtrack which adds to the allure of the movie.

Through his production house - Neelam Productions, Director Pa Ranjith is on a mission to support movies that extol the plight of those at the bottom of the caste/class pyramid. Last year, he had introduced Mari Selvaraj who made a stellar directorial debut through Pariyerum Perumal - the best Tamil movie of 2018. Continuing on his mission, Pa Ranjith acquits himself as a producer who has a keen eye for the craft and has picked another exceptional talent to watch for in Athiyan Athirai.

Athiyan has the rare skill to beautifully blend the multiple ingredients of his narrative recipe without losing focus on the fate of the bomb and those around it. He keeps the tension real and combines it effectively with regular doses of humour as well as the underlying message of all humans being the same irrespective of our apparent differences and how all of us are equally vulnerable when confronted with certain challenges. The fact that the ideology and message delivered through his characters come across as neither preachy nor phony is testimony to his skills in crafting a sincere narrative populated with characters that we could relate to.

While it may not be as hard-hitting as Pariyerum Perumal in its tonality, IUKG is equally effective in its layered narrative with a rich subtext of socio-economic commentary through multiple metaphors including the use of the scrapyard as a backdrop, the bomb washing ashore along the coast of a historic town, the use of colours, the manifestation of the bomb itself which heralds the repetition of history which sees the odds steeped against the oppressed.

A POTENT DEBUT ! A MUST WATCH !!

RATING - 3.5/5

THE IRISHMAN (ENGLISH) (2019)

The Irishman sees veteran Scorsese (now, in his 70s) returning to a genre that he had redefined with his early works .. a genre that brought him widespread critical as well as commercial acclaim and made him what he turned out to be. 

And.. he returns with a power packed cast that is headlined by Robert de Niro (a frequent collaborator), Al Pacino and Joe Pesci (all three, now in their 70s) and many more stars in juicy cameos.

The Irishman is adapted from a novel - "I Heard You Paint Houses" by Charles Brandt. It is set in the period from 1950s to 1980s and narrates the story of Frank Sheeran - a war veteran, truck driver who gets associated with the underworld crime families, becomes a mob hitman and how his life intersects with trade union leader, Jimmy Hoffa. 

The movie which runs for a whopping 209 minutes demands - nay, commands - a patient viewing and rewards the viewers with superlative performances by Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and De Niro at the heart of the narrative filling almost every frame besides excellence in almost every technical aspect of filmmaking - be it the brilliant staging, fluid cinematography, pitch perfect score.

De Niro is a class act in the role of Frank Sheeran - a stoic mobster of few words and fewer emotions. Pesci gives great company in his own version of stolid mentor for Sheeran while good old Al Pacino more than makes up for the lack of words and emotions of the these two in an energetic performace where he explodes in almost every frame.

What we might miss in terms of pace is more than made up by the quality of performances and the craft of a master who shows that even the oldest genre tropes, if handled right, could work like magic.

While the CGI assisted de-aging of the leads is not perfect yet, it is nevertheless unobtrusive and heralds exciting augurings for the future of movies.

The deliberate pacing by Scorsese allows us to soak in more of the unfolding events through the conversations, character arcs and gets us ever more invested in their predicaments. The narrative flows like a clear stream that is seamlessly punctuated by historic events (a la Forrest Gump) and sudden bursts of bloody violence. 

Overall, this movie feels like a sagely Scorsese in his Yoda mode meditating on a mobster life. 

The Irishman would certainly rank among Scorsese's finest and is certain to enjoy a brilliant run at the awards functions too.

A MASTERPIECE ! (if you can muster some patience to enjoy it.)

RATING - 4/5

PS - The Irishman is streaming on Netflix

KAITHI (TAMIL) (2019)

A truck load of drugs is seized by a crack team of cops in what appears to be the biggest drug bust ever. The desperate drug gang wants the consignment back at any cost. 

Thus begins a  narrative that is a thrill ride of events unfolding over a night with well placed moles on each side and safety of the cache as well as the lives of some top cops hanging by a slender thread resting on the shoulders of a recently released convict. 

Karthi brings a simmering intensity to the part of the protagonist, Dilli - both as a father yearning to see his daughter for the first time after spending a decade in prison as well as the titular macho convict rescuing the cops. Sam CS throttles the proceedings onwards with his pulsating score.

After a stellar debut with Maanagaram, director Lokesh Kanagaraj (LK) delivers an above average action flick that is fairly engaging and entertaining. 

Overall, while it may not match Maanagaram in its audacity, Kaithi, despite its flaws, is a neat action entertainer. 

A VERY GOOD WATCH !

RATING - 3/5

BIGIL (TAMIL) (2019)

It is third time lucky for us, the viewers, in case of this Vijay-Atlee combo.

Director Atlee presents a decent entertainer which mines the charisma of the star to a large extent.

Bigil also benefits from the fact that the entire movie and the semblance of a story is not entirely buried under the build-up for the star.

In Bigil, Atlee places his star Vijay shining bright at the center of the universe with the plot itself and the subplots merrily orbiting him as minor satellites.

Rahman delivers a rousing anthem and a good score. There is nothing - including the music or performances - that could be counted as superlative in any sense. Still, the entire movie works and doesn't feel like a tedium despite having a run-time of almost three hours.

The fact that this movie remains largely coherent on a whole does not make you cringe despite its run-time is no minor blessing.

A DECENT ENTERTAINER !

RATING - 3/5

JALLIKATTU (MALAYALAM) (2019)

In a village near Idukki, Kerala, at daybreak,  a buffalo which is about to be slaughtered escapes and runs amok creating sundry destruction.

Thus begins a 90 minute plunge into a seemingly absurd, yet absolutely riveting set of events.

Director Lijo Jose Pelissery, with his unique handling of this simple premise,  concocts a  visual and aural adventure that is a deeply visceral.

What appears, on the surface level, as a preposterous, albeit straightforward narrative of a communal chase behind a gentle bovine, there is a subtext of multiple layers which throw a light on toxic masculinity, strong undercurrent of animal spirit that lurks under the thin veneer of thousands of years of civilization and how it could be unleashed at the slightest of provocations, with vignettes of political and social landscape and a healthy sprinkling of dark humour.

Director Lijo Jose Pelissery has marshalled technically top notch talents in the form of cinematography by Girish Gangadharan,  Prashant Pillai's background score and crisp editing by Deepu Joseph to mount brilliant setpieces suffused with manic energy.

Kudos to the director that he could cook up a tense thriller, that is also an one of a kind immersive experience. 

AN INCREDIBLE  WATCH !! (perhaps not for all)

RATING - 3.5/5

PS - Best enjoyed on the big screen with excellent acoustics.

WAR (HINDI) (2019)

At long last ..

Desi Greek god with fab bod.. Hrithik Roshan gets a movie that befits his charisma ..

And.. in the process..

We get a paisa vasool action movie that is actually entertaining in every sense.. well, almost ..

Our very own version of Mission Impossible or Bourne flick..

Filled from frame to frame with exhilarating action set pieces in exotic locales ..

Both the leads - Hrithik as the charismatic tutor  and Tiger - a self confessed fanboy tyro, in more ways than one - share a crackling chemistry that works like magic for the movie.

Siddharth Anand has conjured up a veritable entertainer - a la John Woo - that is a perfect cocktail of just the right bit of stupid and right bit of stupendous, in a narrative that seldom sags.

A PHENOMENAL ACTION ENTERTAINER !

RATING - 3.5/5

VIRUS (MALAYALAM) (2019)

Director Ashiq Abu presents a gripping thriller inspired from events surrounding the Nipah virus outbreak in Calicut and Malappuram districts.

Abu has assembled an ensemble star cast and handles then brilliantly to serve the story he set out to narrate.

A narrative that is crafted with great care and balance without overdoing any of the several potential pitfalls that it skims over gracefully to retain a unitary focus on the events surrounding the outbreak and the collaborative efforts to control it.

Nevertheless, Abu maintains the emotional connect intact through several subtle instances that capture the myriad human emotions of loss, helplessness, love, grit and determination without exploiting them or escalating into weepy melodrama.

In all, this is a naattu (desi) companion piece to Soderbergh's Contagion and could rightly be reckoned as an unequivocal masterclass in every aspect of film-making.

A MASTERPIECE !

RATING - 4/5

JOKER (ENGLISH) (2019)

Crazy can be so captivating ..

Descent into chaos could be so devastatingly brutal ..

This is an origin story that is deeply affecting as it delves into the depths of a psyche of one of the most complex characters from the comics universe - Arthur Fleck aka Joker.

It might be natural for us - as the viewers - to empathise with the predicament of Arthur Fleck - a lonely, failing stand-up comedian - as he is pushed down a slippery slope of insanity through repeated assault of rejections. His sorry state of existence is brought to stark relief when we learn that something as benign and banal as laughter is accessible to him only through a medical condition.

However, if we dig a little deeper .. it becomes quite scary when we realise that this a neither remote nor an imperfect reflection of the times and climes that we inhabit. Director Todd Phillips might have set this movie in the early 80's. But, make no mistake... This is a movie for our times .. In fact, this is a commentary on our very own turbid times. A dire warning on the dehumanising influences that have engulfed us in the form of an irrepressible contagion of indifference towards "the others". 

We, as a society, are unapologetically harsh on those faceless forgettables and indifferent to their sensibilities. Their needs and dreams are continuously crushed under our collective disdain and an ever rising tsunami tide of our insatiable wants. Consequently, the less fortunate majority are forced to flee and dwell on the very margins of our society as we continuously push them ever more further to the edges of their very existence and quite often, even beyond. The rousing finale gives us glimpses of what could be in store if the dispossessed decide to decry and dethrone the dispensation that denies them the chance of decent existence. 

Joaquin Phoenix pours his heart and soul into the emaciated frame of Arthur Fleck and owns every speck of this character's crazy mind space that is a spectacularly chaotic mess. His is a phenomenal performance that captures the journey of Arthur's deep seated vulnerability, inner angst, earnest yearning for acceptance, agony in the face of repeated rejections, frustration at his failures and humiliations, sudden eruptions of bloody violence all the way into the finale of uncontrollable chaos. This is a performance that is in the realm of pure artistry and every bit award worthy. The sombre score and the dark hued framing magnify the  melancholy mood that permeates the movie.

A little over a decade ago, Heath Ledger had totally owned this part as a formidable adversary to the batman in The Dark Knight and elevated that movie to stratospheric heights. In the process, he earned a well deserved Oscar and left a permanent imprint on our minds. To aspire going beyond that stupendous performance and redefining Joker is an audacious endeavour - an adventure in itself. And, after watching Joker, one would concede that director Todd Phillips and his leading man have succeeded to pull off this unlikely feat - a true mission impossible in the realm of cinema - and to add to that, have done it with aplomb and gusto.

If The Revenant was the physically taxing penance of Leonardo DiCaprio which brought him awards glory, Joker is Joaquin's deep meditation on exploring the rapidly unravelling  universe of Arthur Fleck's messed up mind and is certain to fill his trophies chest.

The beleaguered DCU and WB have another winner here that has been forged in the darkest of realms. The scenes where Arthur comes across the Waynes - both senior and junior - are loaded with intrigue, pregnant with possibilities that could herald healthy augurings for the reboot of the Batman franchise. If only they could flesh out a worthy caped crusader to take on this Joker, it would be a delectable entertainment. Amen. 

Joker is utterly dark and is unquestionably disturbing .. Nevertheless, it is an engrossing watch that grabs your attention with a brilliant performance and holds an unflinching mirror to all of us to reflect upon.

A DARK TOUR DE FORCE ! A TRIUMPH !!

RATING - 4/5

MONSTER (TAMIL) (2019)

This is a movie made on a relatively simple premise - the travails of the protagonist and a mouse that haunts his home.

But, director Nelson Venkatesan has woven a nifty narrative around this simple construct that is generously suffused with healthy humour. The movie also has a strong message of harmonious coexistence without being preachy.

SJ Surya is spot on with his part as a soft-spoken vulnerable protagonist in a measured performance that is a far cry from his usual exaggerated antics. He is ably supported by Karunakaran who is sharp with his comic timing and the beautiful Priya Bhavani Shankar who does competent job on her part.

The background score as well as songs from Justin Prabhakaran accentuate the flow of the proceedings. Director Nelson deserves credit for brisk narrative that seamlessly blends with breezy inoffensive comedy and technical finesse. If one could overlook some minor niggles, this sophomore (Oru Naal Koothu was his debut) effort heralds him as a talent to look forward to.

Overall, Monster is the latest addition to that critically endangered genre called wholesome healthy entertainer that could be enjoyed by the entire family.

A HIDDEN GEM !!

RATING -3.5/5

PS - Monster is available on Amazon Prime Video.

DEAR COMRADE (TELUGU) (2019)

The initial sequences of debutante director Bharat Kamma's Dear Comrade feels like a hangover from Arjun Reddy with Vijay Deverakonda steeped in alcohol and angst of loss of love even as his friends try to support him. 

We quickly cut to a flashback which captures Bobby in his college days donning the role of titular comrade in all his raw aggressive spirit.

By now.. the alarm bells of being in another Arjun Reddy wannabe start blaring in my head. 

I begin to wonder if this is another case of  a talented actor getting trapped in an overshadowing image of his past successful outing. 

Thankfully, that is not the case. 

The narrative quickly moves on and we see that this is indeed a love story of an impulsive, hot-headed Bobby (Vijay Devarakonda) and composed, clear thinking Lilly (Rashmika Mandanna) - a state level cricketer with soaring ambitions to become a national level player. The portions between the lead pair (fresh after their successful Geetha Govindam) are capture with warmth with ample support from the score and songs from the talented Justin Prabhakaran. Even the many template tropes work because of the easy chemistry that the lead pair shares. There is a beautifully measured sequence halfway through which introduces the conflict which launches the second half which sees a role reversal between the leads. Both Bobby and Lilly are tested for their commitment for each other and their own dreams. This portion also involves the leads embarking on their own journeys - both in literal and metaphorical sense - to identify the true meaning of comradeship.

This movie is indeed a pleasant package on multiple counts - praiseworthy performances from both the leads, a smooth flowing narrative with emotional heft that feels just right in most places and exceptional music. Bharat Kamma deserves kudos for keeping off the much trodden path of simple romance and delivering a drama with heart.  The writing deserves credit for the several subtle elements through which it establishes the character arcs of the leads initially and takes them forward through the ordeals that they have to face. The manner in which they deal with those ordeals resonates and stays true with the initial sequences and this keeps the viewers invested in their journeys.  Perhaps, that would also explain why even a contrived final sequence of confrontation seems to work.

Overall, Dear Comrade is a heart warming, well executed drama which explores the idea of comradeship commendably in an exceptional way.

AN ENGAGING DRAMA !!

RATING -  3.5/5

MISSION MANGAL (HINDI) (2019)

A delicious blend of cinematic liberties that entertain and the story of India's path-breaking scientific feat of reaching Mars in its maiden attempt on a shoestring budget. The story is presented in the time tested format of an underdog's triumph against tall odds. 

The narrative is populated with characters that make an instant connect with their own quirks and real world issues that they have to face. The fact these roles are played by an aptly cast competent set of actors  headlined by Akshay Kumar and the ever dependable Vidya Balan delivering pitch perfect performances makes the unfolding drama all the more engaging.

Debutante director Jagan Shakti deserves kudos for marshaling all the resources ably and weaving the multiple strands of issues into an engaging tale without losing the focus on his main story arc of India's Mars mission which is a thriller in itself. 

He could've easily gone overboard in narrating any of the minor story arcs or erred on the side of adding more comedy or melodrama which would have resulted in a crash-landed mission. However, he succeeds in holding a fine balance and as a result, the movie soars.

Special credits are also due to Jagan and his team of co-writers for presenting the science behind the Mars mission in a package that is easily accessible to the novice audience and making it entertaining as well with oodles of humour.

AN EXCEPTIONAL FLICK !!

RATING - 4/5

AVENGERS -ENDGAME (ENGLISH) (2019)

Ship load of superheroes - Check (Eyes-full in an IMAX screen and some more)

Stunning action setpieces - Check

Sharp sparkling humour - Check

Emotionally charged moments - Check

Epic finale - Check

Director duo Russo bros dunk us neck deep into nostalgia as we buckle down for a dreamy ride skimming over a decade worth of our favourite blockbusters from the franchise. Their nifty screenplay pulls together plot lines from all those multiple moments of magnificence to a rousing crescendo culminating in yet another audacious, heroic and dare, I say heart wrenching snap. 

It is beautiful in how the writing draws on the twenty plus historic blockbusters to create what is going to be the definitive piece in the  history of blockbusters. 

The movie delivers on almost every count

As sheer spectacle of ginormous proportions..

As an energetic and exciting entertainer..

As an emotionally charged roller coaster..

Russo bros have crafted a fitting farewell that elevates our favourite superheroes  even as it pays an ode to each of them who would remain etched in the collective memories of the fans for a very long time, if not forever.

Don't see how it could've ended any better ..

Perhaps could've had some more fireworks ..

Perhaps it could've been more 'snap'py.. But, again .. am just nitpicking here. 

Go .. Watch it in the biggest screen possible !

A MUST WATCH ! A MARVEL !!

RATING - 4/5

GULLY BOY (HINDI) (2019)

Director Zoya Akthar's Gully Boy is an affective underdog story that is well executed and supported by solid performances by the leads as well as a competent supporting cast. It presents the story of Murad, a resident of the slums of Dharavi, Mumbai and his rise to become an acclaimed rap artist despite the odds that are stacked against him that seek to trap him forever in his suffocating circumstances. The narrative arc traces his journey of self discovery and how he harnesses his innate talents and self belief to become a famous rap artist by "melting down the shackles that bind him with the lava of his lyrics".

I have never been a big fan of the genre of hip hop/ rap music. But, there is an earnest intensity in the album  and the hard-hitting lyrics (collaboration by an array of artists) here that captivates the viewer and hooks them to the genre.

Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhat prove their mettle as the definitive stars in the making, oozing loads of talent and cement their billing to be counted among the very best of their generation of actors. This film provides a perfect stage for them to collaborate and shine together. Ranveer is like some shimmering liquid metal that could be perfectly cast to fit into any mould. He can effortlessly transform from being an obsessed and cruel medieval Sultan in Padmavat to the underdog from Mumbai slum and make either part feel very real. 

Here, he is inhabiting the part of Murad, a  Dharavi resident dreaming of elevating his life from a rag-tag, down-in-the-dumps reality to match his soaring dreams. And, it definitely doesn't hurt that he can also rap like a pro. Alia Bhatt lights up the screen as the charming Safeena, a pint sized dynamite of a medical student, madly in love with Murad. She shares a warm chemistry with Ranveer, complementing him effectively.

Zoya assembles a string of notable names like Vijay Raaz, Kalki Koechlin, Vijay Verma, Sheeba Chaddha as well as debutante Siddhant Chaturvedi (as MC Sher) who turn in impressive cameos along with multiple real life rap artists who add a dash of authentic flavour of the music and the milieu, especially in the fierce rap battles. The crisp cinematography (Jay Oza) and the conversations soaked in the local lingo add to the lived in feel to the proceedings.

The writing (Zoya and Reema Kagti) is dexterous for the most part and manages to breath a dash of freshness even into some time tested tropes and cliches. The result is an extra-ordinary movie that is engrossing and satisfying at multiple levels.

AN ENTERTAINING WATCH !!

RATING - 3.5/5

SUPER DELUXE (TAMIL) (2019)

A momentary misadventure with an ex-flame pushes a recently married couple (Samatha Akkineni and Fahaad Faasil) into a a tizzy as they embark on a journey to bury their past.  A frequently rib-tickling riff on "Till Death do us apart". 

A mom (Gayathri Shankar) and her young son (a superb Ashwanth) await the return of a father who had fled from home several years ago, in the middle of the night, seeking a new identity. When the moment of reunion arrives, amidst an ensemble of relatives who have come to witness the event as mostly sadistic spectators, only one of them is delighted as expected ("Return of the Prodigal Purushan"). 

Grand plans of five teens to skip school and make merry in youthful exuberance go awfully awry. While one of them ends up in a hospital in a freak accident, a break-away group of three are buffeted between a whimsical don and even more wacky happenings ("A tale of two TV sets"). 

A faith healer is confronted by a situation of personal crisis which forces him to explore the strength of his faith that he preaches ("Salvation").

A corpse, a corrupt and lecherous cop, a don, a former porn star, an aspiring actor, several minor characters who leave a mark with their minimal screen presence and just when we think that this couldn't get any more intriguing, the writers conjure up a character which is even more colourful. Super Deluxe presents all this and much more in a resplendent rainbow of fully fleshed out characters - howsoever minor - populating a potpourri of plots. 

Thiagarajan Kumararaja (TK), who had made a stunning debut with Aaranya Kaandam (2011) - a cult classic - proves that he was no flash in the pan. This is a massive and ambitious upgrade as he handles a talented cast consisting of multiple stars including Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Akkineni, Fahaad Faasil, Ramya Krishnan and Bhagavathi Perumal. The acting is consistently superlative across the board with spectacular performances from the leads as well as minor characters. Vijay Sethupathi is reborn and inhabits the character of a transgender while Samantha and Fahaad are utterly convincing as the recently wed couple caught up in relationship issues. Yuvan Shankar Raja provides a sparse, yet spectacular score combined with a healthy dose of Tamil and Hindi songs of yore which coheres well with the situations.

TK shares co-writing credits with three other noted directors - Mysskin, Nalan Kumaraswamy and Neelan K Sekar. While the threesome bring in their own brand of mastery, the same has been carefully choreographed into a magnificent chimera by TK who leaves his own indelible mark as he seamlessly weaves in the multiple subplots and meta moments in life-like splendor. The writing is subtle, layered, richly detailed, consistently funny and smartly propounds its central philosophies without being preachy or moralistic or melodramatic. Check out the surgical strikes of social commentary made by Fahaad Faasil on contemporary issues like nationalism, caste structures and broken state systems. 

The common thread that runs through all the episodes reflect on how we, as individuals, are trapped in and trampled upon by the superficial structures imposed by a constantly judging society. The key to happiness, therefore, is in being non-judgmental and accepting persons and events for what they are.

This is a heady cocktail from a genius on top of his game. A jugalbandhi of genres - a quintessentially quirky, incorrigibly  irreverent, wonderfully weird, spectacularly screwed up and audaciously amoral comedy of errors.

A TOUR DE FORCE ! A MUST WATCH !!

RATING - 4/5