3.5 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: LINGUSAMY
ACTORS: MAMMOOTY, MURALI, ABBAS
ACTRESSES: DEVAYANI, RAMBHA, SNEHA
MUSIC DIRECTOR: S.A. RAJKUMAR
STORYLINE:
In the tradition of "Vaanathai Pola," "Aanandham" is the story of three brothers -- Mammooty, Murali, and Abbas -- and the trials they go through as a family.
It has almost the same storyline as "Vaanathai Pola" with the ending deciding if the family will separate because of a wedding or not.
Mammooty's wife is played by Devayani. Murali's wife is Rambha. And Abbas is in love with Sneha.
COMMENTS:
Wow. I really liked this movie. Far more than any other reviewer on the Net. It's very rare when I give a movie higher marks than other reviewers.
This is a family movie without the preachy sentiment. That is why I like it. Sure there's sentiment, but it's believable, not overdone. Mammooty never holds a thing over his brother's heads for an entire night, as Vijayakanth does in "Vaanathai Pola." He never asks his brothers to drink poison, as Sarath Kumar does in "Samudhiram." Every member of the family acts as that particular character would. Not in a single place is any character doing anything their character would not. The film is a well-planned well- thought-out piece of work. And that's rare in Tamil cinema.
The actors have all been chosen perfectly. Mammooty is at his best as the oldest brother. Murali, too, fits well in his role. Even Abbas, who I am decidedly not a fan of, overwhelmed me with his touching portrayal of the third brother. Other good choices are Sri Vidya as the mother, Rambha as a semi-villainish wife, and Sneha as Abbas' love interest. Plus the man who played the servant.
The comedy, while not stupid, is funny. Even the scene where a "robber" enters the house is hilarious, and the joke is continued superbly, when a second "robber" enters.
So it has an unnecessary fight scene. That's all I can think of wrong with this film.
I'm really looking forward to director Lingusamy's next effort.
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
"Aanandham" has some great songs. My favorites are "Aena Ithuvo?" and "Oru Poolangulalin." Other pretty good songs are "Chudithantha" and "Kalyaana Vaanil." The only song I don't like is "Adi Koochathai."
RECOMMENDATION:
Watch it in the theater if you can, actually.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN