Deiva Thirumagal Movie Review, Rating (3.5/5)

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Movie Name: Deiva Thirumagal
Casts: Vikram, Anushka Shetty, Amala Paul, Nasser, Santhanam, M.S. Bhaskar, and others
Direction: Vijay
Production: M. Chinthamani
Music: G.V Prakash
Banner: Sri Rajakaliamman Medias
Rating: ★★★½☆

There's one thing to be said for UTV Motion Pictures' much-anticipated movie of the year, Deiva Thirumagal: its director, A L Vijay, of Madharasapattinam fame, has a very definite flair for sentimental tear-jerkers. He also has an affinity for converting melodramatic Hollywood movies into fairly palatable desi fare. This time he's chosen to be inspired by a film that's been hailed even by Hollywood as the ultimate tear-jerker: I am Sam.

Deiva Thirumagal has its plus points, chief among them the work of Dr Chiyaan Vikram (the film opens, in fact, with his name and face displayed prominently). And in many ways, this is completely his movie. As the mentally under-developed Krishna who works in a chocolate factory in Avalanchi, Ooty, he establishes right in the beginning the helplessness, goodness of heart and deficiencies of someone whose mental age is only five.

In the very first shot, as cars whiz into Chennai city, we are introduced to the wide-eyed, child-like Krishna, clutching a notebook, wandering around the city, completely adrift. After knocking at police-stations and courts he runs into newly minted lawyer Anuradha Raghunathan (Anushka Shetty), and her mate Vinod (Santhanam). At first she is dismissive of him but later learns his story from his employer in Ooty and decides to do legal battle on his behalf.

Krishna has lost custody of his only child, Nila (Baby Sarah), to her maternal grandfather, Rajendran (Sachin Khedekar), courtesy the efforts of his second daughter, Swetha (Amala Paul). Rajendran, of course, is a millionaire, and sets up Bhashyam (Nasser), a high flying lawyer to argue his defence.

So far, so good, even if I am Sam is very heavily referenced, and quite a few scenes are ripped off (example: in the English film, Sam Dawson arranges sugar packets in a diner; Krishna arranges chocolates in his factory). The intimacy between father and daughter tugs the right heart-strings with various songs, and director Vijay's signature humorous touches. Anushka looks appropriately determined, even Santhanam plays down his usual loudness, and the intermission brings a sense of suspense.

Post the break, though, everything starts unravelling. Krishna's wide-eyed innocence begins to lose its charm, and it's the little girl, Sarah, who keeps things going. It's largely the screenplay that is to blame. Unlike the English original, here, the actual raising of the child is barely dealt with; no real issues of conflict or even society's observations are addressed. Everything is just swept under the rug right until the last five minutes, with a massive, sentimental dose of father-daughter affection, and the dialogues are trite.

You wonder why, when Anuradha the advocate is supposed to establish Krishna as a good care-giver, she goes on a wild-goose chase to establish him as a man with a normal IQ. There's a rather ridiculous Crazy-Mohan style chase through a hotel that's intended to be funny, but tests your patience. The final showdown in court, even with its tear-jerking moments, is more hilarious than serious.

The production crew has done a neat job which is per usual: Nirav Shah's camera-work and Antony's editing are perfect, especially in the melodious Vizhigalil Oru Vanavil number (meant, especially, to showcase Anushka). G V Prakash's music is alluring, especially in its signature tunes, though its placement overdoes the sentiment in many places. Aariro is another song that is very pleasing to the ears.

As for the actors, Vikram obviously scores. Yet, you feel that after Sean Penn, Vikram has been given an acting template of sorts. Yes, he has done very well but it's not really original. Anushka delivers what her role requires her to do, but the screenplay lets her down. The same can be said of Amala Paul, Sachin Khedekar, M S Bhaskar et al.

If you're a fan of sentimental tear-jerkers, and have not seen I am Sam, Deiva Thirumagal might impress. For the rest, it might provide a sense of déjà vu, and towards the end, the meandering, weak screenplay is largely dissatisfying.

Review 2
After a few dismal outings in the past, Chiyaan Vikram is pinning all his hopes on Deiva Thirumagal, which is touted to be movie with a difference. Directed by A L Vijay, the movie has Anushka and Amala Paul besides young Sarah. With UTV Marketing it in a big way and the promotions are eye-catchy, expectations are high on the movbie.

Check out what the movie is all about:

Story:
Krishna (Vikram) is a man with a mental growth of a five-year-old and works in a chocolate factory in Ooty. His wife has passed away and he looks after his daughter Nila (Sara) whom he is very attached to. One day she is taken away from him by his father-in-law Rajendran (Sachin Khedkar), a powerful man in society. His wife’s sister Shwetha (Amala Paul) takes care of the daughter. Now its Krishna's turn to search for the daughter. Steps in advocate Anuradha (Anushka) and Vinod (Santhanam), her junior promising him to get back the custody of daughter through court. The rest is legal battle and arguements in court and who wins at last

Performance:
It is indeed one of the best performance by Chiyaan Vikram. As a youth with a child with five-ear-old boy, he is right there performing oustanding. He is good at emotional scenes and also there evokig fun. No where would hate Krishna, played by Krishna. He is bubbly and splendid all through. His emotional encounters with Sarah and the court scenes deserve special mention.Young Sarah is the hallmark of the movie. She is bubbly and emotes well. Her onscreen chemistry with Vikram has been amazing. Sarah's performance is indeed the driving force of the movie.

Watch out for a different Anushka here. As an advocate she is mightily impressive. Its an different Anushka sans glamour and she is impressive. Three cheers to Amala Paul, who pulls off a tricky role with right sensitivity. Sanathanam not jujst evokes humour but also touches our heart in emotionakl sequences. There is Nasser, playing his part well as like in any other A L Vijay's movie before.

Technicalities:
It is indeed a movie with superior technology. Lets applaud Nirav Shah for his extra ordinary visuals. He has brought life in every frame. He captures human emotions, sensibilities well in every frame. His using soft tones adds to the narration. G V Prakash's music has a tale to tell. The songs are brilliant and addss strength to the script. His background score is topnotch. At such a young age, he has immense talents and he is sure to go places. Na Muthukumar's lyrics give pep to the songs.T Santhanam's close-to-reality scnes and crisp editing by Anthony add zing to the proceedings.

Director Vijay manages to extract the best not just from his artistes but also from his technicians. Every single frame is reflecting their hard work. He has penned the screenplay in such a way that no where it lacks pace. The director has understood the sensibilities of such individuals and makes us fall in love with them. Vijay has handled things in a matured manner. He is sure to leave an impression with masses. Certainly, he has come far from Madarassapattinam to give an engrossing film.

Analysis
Gone are those days of hero bashing goons. Films have become a medium to narrate stories from daily lives with a difference. Deivva Thirumagal is one such film that is engrossing and entertaining. All credit goes to director Vijay and actor Vikram. They both team up to rencder a film that is awesum from the first frame. Deiva thirumagal is whif of fresh air amidst commercialk cliches. It instils confidence among people that Kollywood is capable of coming up with innovative films. On the whole, Deiva Thirumagal doesn't disappoint but for a some slow-paced script at places.
With engrossing performance by Vikram, backed by strong technical team, the movie is sure to impress you.

Box office predictions
It is a different film. There are humour and fun elements. Hopefully it should get working with front-benchers too.

Plus
- Vikram performance
- Nirav Shah camera
- G V Prakash music

Minus
- Slow at places
- lengthy latter part


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