Thudarum Movie Review - An in-form Lal Propels This Intense Drama

The release of this film was eagerly anticipated by fans of Lalettan, and Tharun Moorthy delivered a compelling blend of nostalgia and mass appeal. For devoted fans of Lal, this film is a delight, though it didn't quite meet my expectations as a cinephile.

When the movie poster was first revealed, Tharun advised audiences not to expect another 'Drishyam' and cleverly disguised the trailer gave a vibe of a light-hearted, family-oriented narrative. However, the story takes a different turn, one that has been explored by other directors before. To me, the film ventured into familiar territory reminiscent of films like 'Bhramaram' and 'Drishyam'. Tharun presented the narration with good intrigue for most parts but those fades away quickly.

Regarding Lal's performance, when provided with a compelling story arc and the space to perform, he delivers big time. Here also its no different, its a seamless and flawless portrayal of anger, emotion, and humor. This is natural acting at its finest. The presence of a strong antagonist further intensifies his performance.

A special shout out to Prakash Varma, who portrayed CI George Mathan with remarkable ease and conviction. It's hard to believe that this is his first outing as an actor. This is a pulsating standout performance.

As for the storyline goes, I will refrain from revealing any details. The narrative shifts and gains momentum as it approaches the interval, when Lal's cherished taxi is impounded by the police in connection with a drug smuggling case. From this point, the story's intensity increases.

My main criticism is the predictability of the plot, as the suspense fades away quickly in the second half. The film does not attempt to break conventions, instead allowing stardom to overshadow subtlety. The story had significant potential if it had stayed on course, and the concept of the hunter becoming the hunted could have been executed with greater finesse. The use of brute force seemed unnecessary and somewhat excessive.

Moreover the second half offered little for other talented actors, such as Shobana, which is unfortunate. Those expecting the striking chemistry between Lal and Shobana from the 1990s will be disappointed.

Overall, the film did not fully capitalize on its narrative potential, despite flashes of brilliance. It lacked innovation and a fresh approach. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the return of our beloved iconic star. The adage holds true: "Form is temporary, but Class is permanent."

Verdict - 3.5/5(To be Continued)