Appa Movie Review
Review Overview
Performances
Screenplay and Direction
Technical Aspects and BGM
Overtly Preachy!
Samuthirakani’s Appa is an overtly preachy drama which delves deep into the shortcomings of our education system, administrative decisions of self-serving private institutions in an in-your-face, didactic approach that makes the proceedings unendurable for viewers.
Cast: Samuthirakani, Thambi Ramaiah, Yuva Lakshmi, Vignesh & others
Cinematography: Richard M Nathan
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Editing: AL Ramesh
Written & Directed by: Samuthirakani
Produced by: Nadodigal Productions
Release Date: 01-07-2016
Run Time: 02:02:00
Samuthirakani’s Appa is an overtly preachy drama which delves deep into the shortcomings of our education system, administrative decisions of self-serving private institutions in an in-your-face, didactic approach that makes the proceedings unendurable for viewers.
The film marks Samuthirakani’s return to direction, after a string of terrific performances as a supporting actor including the national award-winning role as a conscientious police officer in Vetrimaaran’s Visaaranai.
The story revolves around three different families who follow different set of principles when it comes to bringing up their children. Samuthirakani plays an upright father who believes in the goodness of humanity to an unprecedented extent. Thambi Ramiah plays an aristocratic father and an overbearing cynic, who believes in the worst of human intentions. And, Namo Narayanan is somewhere in between. He’s had his fair share of ups and downs in his life. And, he advises his son to always remain unnoticeable to avoid any needless troubles.
Despite the never-ending sanctimonious talk, the first half is genuinely passable largely thanks to kids, who manage to bring the roof down at regular intervals. However, the second half is replete with over-the-top sermons on upbringing, compassion, private schools and hospitals. Samuthirakani blurts out the evil methods of rank-hungry private schools that wouldn’t bat an eyelid to inflict suffering on students to make them toppers.
Nasath who plays Namo Narayanan’s son is the show-stealer and he makes us sit through the first half with his wits and perfectly timed jokes. Ilaiyaraja’s partly old-fashioned, partly jarring background score doesn’t help lift the happenings either.
A little bit of subtlety and depth in story-telling without overblown characters could have really made the film a better, worthy watch.
Appa Movie Review Rating: 2.25/5
Written by Surendhar MK
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