Maamannan Movie Review

Very few filmmakers in Tamil cinema have the craft, knowledge and a note to current affairs built into their cinema. But Mari Selvaraj, with the two films he has delivered so far, has managed to strike a strong voice into their society, and also managed to make big inroads into caste politics and the inequality that exists in our society. Maamannan, his third outing, is a testament to the same.

Mari Selvaraj bases the storyline of Maamannan on real incidents, and the pivot of the proceedings is anyways Vadivelu’s character of the ‘Maamannan’ – where the story actually originates from. Supporting by good writing and solid filmmaking strokes, the film slowly sets itself up in the first half and then gives us a terrific interval scene which is easily the best part of the film. The bang that Mari Selvaraj manages to create at the halfway point of the film breaks a huge impact, and the film catches fire from thereon and begins to hold us emotionally throughout. However, things begin to slow down in the second half where the plot progression is cut down by half. The intensity and the emotional value that the first half presents is not there in the second, which the film feels a bit lightweight here.

What works best for Maamannan is in how Mari Selvaraj handles his actors – Vadivelu is utterly brilliant in a lifetime role that gives him so much do in such a different way. The extremity that he achieves with this heavy and solid role is something that will be remembered for centuries.

Fahadh Faasil is a powerhouse addition to the film, and his scene in the first half along with Udhay will be special for sure. Udhaynidhi delivers a measured and efficient performance in the first half, and the second half is where his acting really takes off and shines. Keerthy has a neat and tidy role in the film, and does deliver her dialogues brilliantly making it count. The film also has loads of other members in the cast, who are all handpicked and do their parts to the T.

Maamannan would not be the same without AR Rahman’s excellent score which is a big boost to the film. The songs amp up the energy of the film, while the score is topnotch throughout and does not let the intensity die down at any point. The visuals by Theni Eshwar is apt too, and captures the fiery frames with great precision.

Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan does not have the continued intensity present in films such as Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan – the film does present itself superbly but cannot get rid of few dull moments popping up here and there. However, the director once again delivers an impactful and important film that talks about pressing issues and drives home a great debate on the same. Watch it for the fantastic performances, the rousing high moments in the first half and the packaging of politics in an immersive way.

Maamannan Movie Review Rating: 3.5/5