| POOVE
POOCHOODAVA MOVIE REVIEW |
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Classic:
In a series of reviews of some of Tamil
cinema’s most loved classics, we
had earlier reviewed the record breaking
hit Haridas. This time we present the
poignant and beautiful hit directed by
Fazil; Poove Poochoodava.
Poove Poochoodava
How often does a movie leave us praying
for the wellbeing of its characters? How
often do we see a movie that dwells on
a relationship between a grandmother and
grand daughter? How often do we see a
movie that has no character that can be
called the hero? Poove Poochoodava is
the answer to all these questions.
At first, we do describe this movie as
the exploration of the relationship between
grandmother and granddaughter. But, it
is more than just that. It can be rightly
termed as an unforgettable episode in
the lives of a few people, especially
the grandmother, granddaughter and a few
neighbors whose lives are touched by the
presence of a lovely effervescent girl
in their midst.
It is difficult to explain the movie to
anyone who has not yet seen it. The entire
storyline rests on
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one simple yet painful fact. But, the way the script
has been written, the sheer simplicity of presentation
and the perfection of the characters makes us get
involved with their movements throughout the movie.
We generally talk about movie winning us over with
gripping screenplays, thrills, exotic camerawork,
stunning art etc; but, Poove Poochoodava won audiences
over with its simplicity which is why it still looks
and feels like a movie worth watching over and over
again.
Poove Poochoodava is also remembered for being one
of the most unconventional films made during its times.
The 80s were a time when commercialism was on the
upswing in Tamil cinema. It was difficult to imagine
a film without fights or strong dialogues. We are
still experiencing such circumstances. But, Poove
Poochoodava was a film that took the risk of going
against all set conventions. Even today we get films
that break the rules and we hope that 20 years hence
we shall look back and proclaim them as classics.
The one factor that endeared Poove Poochoodava to
everyone was its inherent goodness. Most films, almost
all films, have an antagonist and protagonist i.e.
they feature a good vs. evil battle or a conflict
of interests in one way or the other. But, Poove Poochoodava
had nothing of this sort. Everyone was a well wisher
of everyone else; no one meant any harm and there
was absolutely no trace of villainy. It was a viewing
experience that left you feeling that the world is
a wonderful place full of good people; it was a peaceful
movie. Yes, there was a bit of a tussle between the
characters played by Nadhiya and S.Ve. Sekhar, but
that was nothing more than mischief.
That brings us to the performances. Poove Poochoodava
was a movie of rare perfection in performances. Nadhiya
perhaps played the character of her career that won
the prayers and sympathies of everyone in the audience.
But, the standout performer in the movie was without
doubt Padmini, the veteran. The fact that made her
performance so memorable is that at no single place
in the movie could we detect any trace of the Padmini
that we had seen as the heroine of greats like Sivaji
Ganesan and MGR. There was just the character. Another
senior who won a lot of hearts was Jaishankar who
appeared in a brief role as Nadhiya’s father.
Technically too the movie had many things that were
worth appreciating. As said earlier, the movie was
shot in the simplest manner possible and, therefore,
there was never anything extraordinary in the camera,
editing or locations. But, the one department that
stood apart was the re-recording where Ilayaraja proved
his mastery. At many places, his work seems to have
eliminated the need of dialogues; so perfect was the
job. Dialogues too were exemplary, i.e. not literary
standard lines, but lines that gelled so beautifully
with the characters that you never felt them to be
theatrical.
And, the most beautiful thing about the movie was
its climax. There was no great drama, no high pitched
music, no fight; just an ambulance starting off and
leaving from front of the gate and later the poignant
shot of the grandmother fitting the calling bell back
at her door. After watching the movie, everyone prayed
that the calling bell would be rung soon, bringing
back the days of joy and happiness to the grandmother’s
life. The Fazil signature was complete.
If you have not watched Poove Poochoodava till now,
you have missed a beautiful peace of cinema that touches
the heart. Be sure to add this to your ‘to watch’;
it is a decision you will not regret.
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