MAALAI NERATHU MAYAKKAM MOVIE REVIEW

Written by Selvaraghavan, Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam (MNM) is another reflection of an affectionate weirdo trying to save his marriage. Selva's boldness might intimidate a few, but the writer in him is successful in establishing the reality well enough. Directed by his assistant turned wife Gitanjali, MNM is as idiosyncratic as a regular love story. As the film is just about two contrasting individuals living a domestic life, the screenplay goes on an up and down ride resulting in inconsistency.

Starring Balakrishna Kola and Wamiqa Gabbi, the casting director deserves a special bonus for recruiting such fresh actors with no inhibitions. An uncanny single child of a disciplined father awaits coitus all his life, but heaven has planned a different folklore to his married life. Balakrishna Kola is another extension of Dhanush of Kaadhal Kondein and Ravi Krishna of 7G Rainbow Colony. You will find the vintage look of Selva's favorite heroes with large framed glasses and untamed beard in Kola too. His character demands him to be absurd with a dead pan face and he does it quite efficiently.  Talking about the heroine, Wamiqa is not just another North-Indian import. If everything goes well with the actress, she is bound to make use of her beauty and talent to fetch bigger roles and films.

With leads getting to shoulder the writer's intent, the film does take a beating by bumping into narrow corners and direction-less story which further gets saturated by dramatized scenarios and limited characters. But, love is creepy, eccentric, unpredictable, volatile and dangerous. The film does authenticate all these by genuinely narrating a messed up relationship. It is the bravado of the film that differentiates itself from all other films made on a similar theme. Unadulterated conversations and realistic portrayal of life is the special take of the film and you need to work on your patience to get a hold of the story's impact.

Sridhar's visuals are more tone driven than texture driven but working in a story which primarily revolves around just two characters, is a task to pull off. By adding a temperament to the narration by enhancing the production value, MNM could have diverted the noticeable dips. Compromised production design is a definite low for the product whereas Amrith's music is a delightful addition. Filling up the spaces with enjoyable score and saving the typical moments with a hit-number, the composer shows great promise.

Having said all these, MNM still manages to deliver another love story. Though the film's nature might be tiring, realism needs acceptance and hence this tale of love between a complicated couple is encouraging. Filmed with repetitive montages and spike-less screenplay, MNM might prove to be a lengthy watch though being just a minute over two hours.

A fairly simple story with moments to cherish and performance to be adored, MNM is a new-age film with Selva's hard-hitting nuances and blatant pragmatism. It is because of your hypocrisy getting testified, MNM earns a watch. Gitanjali's ability to concise Selva's deep emotions into a film needs praise.