From Hype to Fizzle: 2023’s Theatrical letdowns
Leo:
In Leo, Parthiban’s ordinary life in Theog takes an unexpected turn when he confronts a wild hyena. The film, using unconventional camera techniques, captures the charm of his mundane existence before delving into the extraordinary. Thriving in carefully crafted scenes, Leo explores what an ordinary man would do when pushed to the edge. While loosely based on A History Of Violence, Leo embraces its template, offering a refreshing take on domestic bliss and introducing a new side of Vijay.
Micheal:
Director Renjit Jeyakodi, despite familiarity with Tamil film nuances, crafts ‘Michael’ as a culturally versatile gangster drama, akin to films like ‘KGF.’ The titular character emerges as a natural rebel, engaging in notorious exploits while sparing no one from their misadventures. The narrative transcends nativity, presenting a universal perspective on the rebellious journey of Michael.
Pathu Thala:
‘Pathu Thala’ disappoints with a lack of energy, as contrived characters and sequences unfold without much writing effort. The stakes remain mediocre, failing to make the audience care about the consequences of AGR discovering the truth about Guna or the obligatory romance between Sathya and Leela. The prolonged, unimaginative bloodbath in the climax may leave the audience with a headache instead of a high.
Maamanan:
While the core concept of Mari Selvaraj’s third film appears brilliant in hindsight, ‘Maamannan’ struggles as it lacks substantial elements beyond this idea. In contrast to his debut, ‘Pariyerum Perumal,’ where form and content aligned seamlessly, ‘Maamannan’ falls short in execution and writing, marking it as Mari Selvaraj’s weakest film to date.
Custody:
Venkat Prabhu’s inclination toward formulaic elements raises concerns about compromising his distinctive style to cater to a new audience. However, the film’s ability to derive heroism and applause-worthy moments from its writing, rather than opting for easy wins, demonstrates his commitment to core strengths. Even in serious scenes, the film retains the signature Venkat Prabhu touch, balancing gravitas with quirkiness. “Custody” possesses a quality often missing in big-budget action films today: a unique personality.
