Viduthalai Part 1 Movie Review

It’s time. Director Vetrimaaran returns with a hard hitting and absolutely engrossing film that makes his 100% strike rate look like less. After a long wait, Viduthalai arrives as a special and scintillating film that does not give you the opportunity to take your eyes off the screen.

The film is the journey of Kumaresan (Soori), a freshly recruited constable who comes in to carry out errands and help the police force in the green highlands. Slowly, Kumaresan realizes the unfair mindset of his higher officials, and tries his best to travel on the honest path. As the cops pursue Perumal Vaathiyaar (Vijay Sethupathi), Kumaresan tries to find his way to stronger posts while developing a relationship with Tamizh (Bhavani Sre). As all the paths come together, there’s more tension and revelance of truth, that makes the character meet dark ends and change their mindsets.

Right from the start, Vetrimaaran channels the film with a strong dose of realism and raw filmmaking that keeps us in the center of the action at all times. This is definitely not a film for the weak hearted, as there are so many instances where the visuals will be tough to digest.

The film is a perfect mix of incidents on police brutality, caste politics and attacks on the system, and Vetrimaaran ensures that he conveys everything through his razor sharp dialogues and sharp imagery.

The first half of the film slowly builds up the characters and the momentum, while the second half is a shocker that brings in the blatant truths and a superb climax stretch that will leave you stunned.

Soori brings in a lifetime performance that is earnest and brilliant from ball one. It is not easy to perform even the small nuances of the script so well, but credit to the actor for pulling it off.

Vijay Sethupathi has less screen time in the film but it doesn’t feel like it, his character references keep coming in along with he himself at important portions and regular intervals. Bhavani Sre is apt for the role, and does superbly in the emotional scenes. The film is filled with solid support actors such as Chetan, GVM and Rajiv Menon who all do their job so well. Technically too, it is strong with solid cinematography by Velraj and a strong score by Ilaiyaraaja.

On the whole, Vetrimaaran delivers a brilliant experience with Viduthalai – an affecting and absorbing drama that keeps you pinned until the end. A well bounded masterpiece from the filmmaker.  Viduthalai Part 1 Movie Review by Siddarth Srinivas

Viduthalai Part 1 Movie Review Rating: 4.5/5