2 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: A.R. MURUGESH
ACTOR: AJIT
ACTRESS: LAILA
MUSIC DIRECTOR: YUVAN SHANKAR RAJA
STORYLINE:
Dheena (Ajit Kumar) is a rowdy and the adopted brother of the biggest hood in town, Adikesavan (Suresh Gopi). Together, they have the entire town scared. They live with their mother and sister (Divya). Dheena falls for Laila, a local girl.
The climax comes when Adikesavan wants to murder Laila and her entire family because her brother fell in love with Divya. Dheena takes it upon himself to save the family from his brother's wrath.
The two brothers square off against each other.
COMMENTS:
The plot of Dheena sounds great to read. Two brothers facing off against each other. This could be good.
Unfortunately, the movie doesn't live up to its potential.
Making Suresh Gopi out to be a Devaraj (from Thalapathy) or a Naayagan doesn't work because we know him so little. So whenever he orders a "hit" in broad daylight, especially with his own brother, it sounds unconvincing. His character is extraordinarily undeveloped. Come to think of it, ALL the characters are undeveloped, even Dheena's.
So if the movie isn't spending its time developing its characters, what's it doing? Cracking jokes, developing a romance, and going through quick songs for the college-age audiences.
So Dheena isn't a BAD movie, it's just that it could have been so much better. Instead of taking itself seriously, it opts to be shallow and superficial. The ending itself is so contrived and sudden that it feels tacked on for the sake of ending the movie.
"Dheena" goes through the motions of moviemaking, but never quite makes the case why it should. On the other hand, like I said, this isn't a bad movie. It's enjoyable and entertaining. The jokes are funny (who knew Ponnambalam was such a great comedian?) and the romance between Dheena and Laila, while not excellent, isn't unenjoyable either.
I just wish the film had aimed a little higher.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
The songs are quick and have no lyrical value. They're also SO MUCH FUN. I'm a fan of them all. Ennenjil, Nee Illai Endraal, and Kaadhal Website are fun. Hariharan proves his mettle in Sollaamal Thottu. Even Vathikkuchi is pretty good.
RECOMMENDATION:
Watch it on video. I think it's good enough for that.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN