padappotti This is a well-written, well-acted, well-scored, well-edited, well- shot, and well-paced movie. Sure, there are some directorial mistakes such as city raised actors butchering the accent, disruption of the narrative by some song sequences, etc. However, I don't understand how this movie was regarded as a POS when it came out. I'm disheartened by tamil audience's verdict. OKK is a subpar movie and in no way can compare to this. Mani, if you get a chance to read this, please consider collaborating more with Jayamohan and other prominent writers in the future. If you believe love stories is what would get tamil audience celebrate a movie, please work on one along with a writer. I'm giving 10 just to boost the score. This is an easy 7+ movie.

Irvin Rex Wow really a fantastic heart touchable film, once again a good film from Maniratnam crew. AR Rehman has done a very good composing each song enter into ma heart and do something in ma mind.The other beautiful thing is Arvidhswamy great come back to the Tamil cinema industry welcome back sir.Arjun job looks amazing especially in climax where a Indian health ledger is seen. Rajivemenon's camera work was awesome really he has done a very good job.Gowtham and Tulsinair pair was very nice.Awesome movie there is no words to express ma feelings:):) Mani sir screenplay was different from other films that was nice.

Chella A very mediocre movie from Mani. Unconvincing characters, story that has holes like Swiss cheese and narration that is typical of 3rd grade movie. Bergman (Arjun) and Sam (Aravind) separate after Sam exposes Bergman of his illicit ways. Bergman vows to avenge Sam. As with most Mani's movies there is the theme of relationship story presented in the backdrop of a larger issue. In this movie, the love story of a young pair in the backdrop of the conflict between good/angle (Sam) and bad/devil (Bergman).Such as sinister, evil person Begman – he kills his mentor, wife, throws away his child – avenged to get back at Sam – but does nothing for 15 years, until a chance meeting brings them together. Not convincing. Thomas (Gautham) and Beatice (Thulasi) are the young couple. Thomas is the only character that is well developed and convincing. The under tone of wanting to be loved, the anger of being orphaned, and the arrogance of growing up all is well melded. However the acting is quite mediocre. The experienced guys – Arjun and Aravind definitely attempted to produce good acting – but end up just average. The new comers – Gautham and Thulasi are just so, so.What's up with Beatrice's character? A mentally under developed girl, training to be a nurse, delivers a baby – with just another guy from road, while the family of the women watches on. Mani wants us to believe that? At the beginning, why was she in the hospital? Why would the protective Mother reveal that Beatrice is Bergman's daughter? Too many stereo typical movie moments – Sam removing bullet from Bergman with a simple tweezers; Beatrice helps child birth without any other elders help; Beatrice has no memory of her childhood, but once she visits her home her memories return. Why would Sam climb up the bell tower to get away from his assailants?Everything else is great – beautiful locations, fluid cinematography, music, etc. Many scenes of the ocean and fights in the ocean has a heavy CGI feel – at least for me. Seems like Mani has made this movie on auto pilot – not paying any attention to the critical parts of any movie – story and storytelling. Not worth the time. Stereo typical 3rd grade movie.

JOSEPH PIUS KADAL ( 2013 )Saw this on the release date itself. Normally it doesn't happen with Tamil movies as far as my movie watching habit is concerned.KADAL is a pretty simple story. The life of a boy who grows up among the illiterate fishermen on sea shores. But that's not just about it. its also the story of good v/s evil fight. Good represented by the priest ( played by Aravind Sami ) and evil represented by rich bad guy (played by Arjun). That's not it about it its also about how love can change someone into good and bring them close to god. Now, that's it about the movie.All clichéd plots, no unseen situations or anything. KADAL is a normal average movie. There is nothing mind blowing or supergood story wise. But in terms of making there are few things I really loved.Songs of a movie play a huge role in pulling the audience to it. KADAL album is already a huge hit and there would be people coming in also to see those beautiful songs. I was also waiting for it to come on screen and I am totally surprised!! The sound track of the movie had different genres of songs and I was wondering what placement or picturisation they would have in a movie related to sea.Right from the moment when my favorite track MAGUDI unfolded on screen, I realized that the experimentation begins then onwards. When you see the songs with the movie, I felt all of them doesn't blend well. But if the songs are viewed alone, they would look good and different. I liked the ' adiye.. enne enge ne' song picturisation very much for that was never what I had imagined that song would be like. MAGUDI also could have been better.As always, Rajeev Menon's cinematography is beautiful and stunning in the climax scene. The climax scene in the sea reminded of Hollywood movies like Pirates of the Caribbean. I was so stunned to see that quality of vfx making it so real!!Coming to the actors in this, KADAL marked the debut of two star-kids. KARTHIK's son GAUTAM and actress RADHA's second daughter TULSI. They could not have asked for a greater opening than this. Gautam has some allu arjun mannerisms but other than that he looks promising. Tulsi needs an acting workshop/course before she moves on . it was so delighting to see the wonderful actors ARAVIND SAMI and ARJUN on screen again.KADAL has very few characters only and they were very limited in the script. It seemed as if they had not much to do in the story. Screenplay could have been much better and powerful. May be the Director Sir wanted to concentrate more on the emotion side of the story rather than the actual story.. who knows?? I am no one to talk about it.