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Dhanam Movie Review |
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Release Date : September 05, 2008 |
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| Behindwoods
Movie Review Board |
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Starring:
Sangeetha, Prakash Raj, Vivek, Prem, Ramesh Khanna,
Ilavarasu, M.S.Baskar, Manobala, Mayilsamy, Kota Srinivasa
Rao, Ashish Vidyarthi, Girish Karnad, Chitra Lakshmanan,
Ashok Rajan
Direction: G.Siva
Music: Ilayaraja
Production: Nandivaram Sampathkumar |
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The
makers of Dhanam have made a brave attempt at handling two
contemporary burning social issues, prostitution and superstition.
The attempt in itself is worth appreciating. The question
is whether the movie has done justice to the scope of the
issues being handled, because the subject, especially that
of prostitution has been beaten to death by stereotypes in
Tamil cinema, barring a few sensitive portrayals. |
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Sangeetha
as Dhanam is a lady who has been forced into the life
of a sex worker. However, she does not isolate herself
from the society. In fact she helps out people around
her with the money that she earns. Fortunes seem to
smile upon her as a young man from a good family expresses
his desire to marry her. Just as she settles into her
new life, fate plays spoil sport and circumstances force
her to return to her earlier life. Much else cannot
be revealed about the story.
Woven around an interesting premise, what strikes you
most about the movie is the hurried nature of events
that take place. A few of the turning points in the
movie are extremely difficult decisions made by characters
who are totally antagonistic to an orthodox community
set up. Yet the characters do not seem to experience
mental turmoil or careful consideration before arriving
at these decisions, which makes it a bit difficult to
swallow. For example, a young man from a respected family
coming forward to |
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marry a sex worker has been shown too lightly. Also, the screenplay
moves in such a way that there is an element of suspense at
the beginning, but that fizzles out towards the end.
The movie tries hard to deliver quite a few messages and does
succeed at many points. The acceptance of a sex worker by
an orthodox family (headed by Girish Karnad) is one of them.
Also, there is Raj Kapoor, as a police officer, whose meaningful
dialogues convey a few pertinent points which might get noticed
if the movie stands strong at the box office. However, the
best message has been delivered by Kota Srinivasa Rao who
comes across as an unscrupulous astrologer. He effectively
portrays the way in which fraudsters take advantage of the
common man’s superstitions. |
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What one expects most from a movie like Dhanam is strong
performances. One wonders why Girish Karnad is not seen
more often on the Tamil silver screen, he does his part
with aplomb. TV actor Prem has done his bit well, but
nothing spectacular. Sangeetha as Dhanam has done a
fair job, given the nature of her role. But one feels
that she could have been better at many places, especially
at the end where her decision does not evoke any reaction
(for or against) her character. There have been attempts
at comedy lead by M.S. Bhaskar with Karunas providing
the rearguard. Needless to say, it looks completely
out of place, something the movie could have done without. |
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Technically,
there is nothing much to write home. But one cannot fail to
notice the difference in the levels of cinematography in different
parts of the movie. Portions shot by the late Jeeva are definitely
a notch above his replacement Srinivas Devamsam. Music by
Ilaiyaraja seems average by the maestro’s high standards.
However, there is one song with a classical touch which is
bound to be liked by everyone.
Overall, Dhanam is a movie which does not fulfill the scope
of its theme. Also, the subject will be seen by some groups
as controversial. This, coupled with a pretty narrow cross
section of the audience who will accept such bold themes,
stacks the odds against Dhanam.
Verdict – Dhanam- Contemporary
issues galore
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