MATHAPOO MOVIE REVIEW

There is no stopping romance in our movies, as our directors seem to have a perennial affair with the very concept of love between a male and female.

Mathapoo is yet another tale of love between a young pair which happens in Chennai. The conflict element in their romance is the girl’s moody, elusive and introverted nature. There is a reason for her ways and behavior and as expected, there is a flashback to explain the same.

The first half meanders without much progress as hero Karthik lands up in Chennai from Trichy, after getting caught in a little mess with local rowdies. This sequence is hyped up unwarrantedly at the start of the movie. He then falls in love at first sight with Pooja and only after the intermission, the director has some story to tell through a flashback episode.

Post that, the movie drags to the finish line and becomes a test of patience. The excessively slow paced drama also gives a TV ‘mega-serial’ effect every now and then.

The debut hero Jayan looks handsome and shows promise. He needs to improve his energy levels in the dance sequences but his diction style is likable and reminds you of actor Karthi. The petite Gayathri continues to perform capably in every movie that she does and here, her voice has been dubbed. She looks reserved and serious for most of the movie. One hopes that she gets her big break soon. The chemistry between the lead pair is cold and doesn’t come to life until the very end, as the tale is such.

There is a big plethora of attractive veteran support artistes such as Sithara, Geetha and Renuka and each of these veterans shines in her respective roles. But the decibel levels could have been brought down considerably as the characters keep hamming at the top of their voice. Ilavarasu is jovial and entertaining as always while Kitty plays a serious and understanding fatherly role.

The director ‘Dhinandhorum’ Nagaraj has conveyed a little message about the need for parents to avoid excessive moral policing of their teenage daughters and be understanding of their needs. His dialogues shine at places and the way Jayan has delivered them ought to earn a few claps and whistles in the hall.

The visuals by C.R.Maaravarman look polished and his work appeals particularly in the night scenes. The songs by debutant Velayudham remind us of the sound that was predominant, a decade or so back. The background score has been handled by the Sabesh - Murali duo. The stunt choreography by ‘Fire’ Karthik attempts to showcase hero Jayan as a dashing and fiery young man.

In all, Mathapoo is old-fashioned but not entirely unwatchable. If only the pace had been spruced up much more.