2.5 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: K. SELVABHAARATHI
ACTOR: VIJAY
ACTRESS: SIMRAN
MUSIC DIRECTOR: S.A. RAJKUMAR
STORYLINE:
Vijay plays a boy who grew up in Western civilization, and therefore knows nothing of Indian culture. He comes back to India to stay with his father (S.P. Balasubramaniam) and runs around doing no work. When S.P.B. asks him to get married, Vijay initially says no, but when S.P.B. presses the issue, Vijay says he will -- on one condition. The wife will be married to him for 1 year. Only if, after that 1 year, Vijay enjoys married life, will he continue with her. Otherwise, he will divorce her.
Along comes Simran, who works for S.P.B. She is having financial difficulties with her family, and because of this, agrees to marry Vijay. Simran and Vijay's marriage is a mixed bag, him sometimes being kind to her, and sometimes being really stupid. Simran, meanwhile, is the absolutely traditional Indian wife with all the trimmings.
The year passes. Vijay decides Simran's not good enough and divorces her.
Eventually he regrets his mistake and goes back to take her back. Simran, by this time, has somehow transformed into a very angry girl, and tells him to go away. The rest of the story goes by whether they will get together or not.
COMMENTS:
Watchable. An entertaining flick. Simran acts well. Vijay exudes energy. The songs are all well-written. The comedy is above average; Vivek is great. His one-liner comments had the audience in stitches (at one point he mentions Rajkumar and Veerappan and the audience laughed incredibly loudly for that!). The dialogue (especially during Simran's pregnancy function) is crisp and well-done.
But the storyline is pretty poor, and meant to tug at the sentiment heart-strings. Great for viewing once, but forget about repeat viewing.
Radhika Choudhary also makes a very unnecessary appearance, and it's only a sigh of relief when she disappears from the story. Vayapuri also appears in the movie, as does 'Thalaivaasal' Vijay. Another high point is, again, as in all Vijay movies, the dancing. Especially in "June July Maadhathil", Vijay excels.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
S.A. Rajkumar has done a wonderful job on the music. "June July Maadhathil" and "Mississippi Nathi" will both have you dancing; "Ennavo Ennavo" and "Ennakoru Snehithi" will both have you humming; and "Alagae Alagae" and "Yen Aayulin Andhi" will both have you sniffling. The worst song is also, as usual, the most popular: "Welcome Girls."
RECOMMENDATION:
Theater for film buffs; video for casual audiences.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN