"Vettayaadu Vilayaadu" (Language - Tamil) (2006) - Movie Review

First and foremost about this movie is that, this is a Gautham Menon’s movie and not Kamal’s which is kind of surprising and also shows how much the director has the control over the script. When this happens with Kamal, either it turns out real bad or real good. VV stands in the latter.

The story of a cop hunting down the responsible people for the serial killings is the story of VV. How Gautam handles this is what makes the movie interesting. First half of the movie slides smoothly and swiftly to give you all the necessary introduction for the characters and the audience along with the investigating Cop of the killings wonder why are they doing such a brutal act? Even though it kind of seems Jyothika’s character is pushed in, it fits nicely. In fact the sequences involving her and Kamal are handled with real sophistication and grace. Second half of the movie makes it slow and dragging a bit but comes back in its pace at end. The idea of investigation going from India to New York is pretty interesting. The idea of FBI and NYPD missing big time clues looks kind of sloppy but well, you need to accept those when you are watching a Hero oriented movie.

As for the technical aspects, it is extremely fantastic for Indian Movies. Right color, calculated style and excellent videos gives us the feeling we are watching a finesse work of art. Good to know that Indian Cinema is picking up the intricacies and minuscule niceties involved in the Hollywood movies.

Songs in VV are extremely good and heartening but Harris Jayaraj did not give the same when it comes Back ground score. It is high time that Mr. Jayaraj concentrates in this department.

Performances are clean and smooth. Kamal walks as Mr. Raghavan, Deputy Commissioner while Jyothika cruises the role of his divorced lover. The villains are the ones which gives you chill in the bones. They bring Novelty for southern cinema school of characters and they did a nice job as well. Gautam’s direction is still the same as that of “Kaakka Kaakka” and it takes real control to bring in the Big Star as Kamal to do this character.

People may complain about the blood and violence in the movie but you cannot expect to have colorful dresses and sweet faces in a serial killing story. VV may not be the extreme experimentation what Kamal usually does but it is definitely your Friday night movie.

(Thanks to Mathi for proof reading)