2 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: SELVA
ACTOR: PARTHIPAN
ACTRESSES: MEENA
MUSIC DIRECTOR: DEVA
STORYLINE:
Parthipan plays a self-interest governed taxi driver whose name is never revealed throughout the movie. Meena plays Mahalaxmi, the daughter of a "zamindar" who has lost all his money due to financial troubles; his death leaves Mahalaxmi with a lot of debts (over two lakhs worth). Parthipan is the taxi driver that drives Meena's dead father's corpse back to her hometown. There, the people that Mahalaxmi is now indebted to (led by Anand Raj) torture Mahalaxmi with cruel words for being unable to pay the debt.
The primarily self-motivated taxi driver then feels sorry for her, shoots off his mouth, and gives up his taxi (which he has fondly named "Amu" as temporary exchange for her debt). He says until Mahalaxmi pays back her debt to him, Anand Raj can keep the taxi.
So now, Parthipan's character lives with Mahalaxmi until she can pay back the debt. Slowly, but surely, despite Parthipan's character's rough exterior, they both fall in love with one another -- but nearing the end, it seems certain Mahalaxmi is unable to bear the debt. Parthipan, in a moment of teasing, tells her he does not love her and goes to another town temporarily (really he is going to sell his taxi to bring back money to pay her debt).
Mahalaxmi, though, hurt by his words, agrees to marry a local rich-boy (Anand) who is willing to pay her debt in exchange for her hand.
Parthipan comes back to find the woman he loves engaged to be married.
Manorama plays Mahalaxmi's cook; Anju Aravind plays Manorama's daughter who was jilted by Anand; Vadivel appears as a local man for comedy; Vivek makes an appearance as a hero cum director who films a movie in Mahalaxmi's home; and Rhamba appears as herself, an object of obsession with Parthipan's character.
COMMENTS:
Nothing impressively new in the storyline; a weak usual ending; and a fairly formulaic storyline. Seemingly, a movie with these qualities would be unbearable to watch, but no, not with Parthipan in it. "Unn Aruge Naan Irunthaal" relies on situation one-liners, "kadi" jokes, and quick delivery (remarkably executed by Parthipan) as its comedy track. Vadivelu and Vivek are also hilarious (Vivek dances in one scene -- "dannakku dannakku dannakku, dannnakku dannnakku dannakku").
This is a very funny movie, and even in the end, when the movie sheds the comedy and goes for the sentiment, you're not ticked off too much.
Well worth watching.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
Deva excels in mediocrity and this is no exception.
RECOMMENDATION:
Watch it on video.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN