3 / 4 STARS
DIRECTOR: AHATHIAN
ACTOR: PRASANTH
ACTRESS: ISHA GOPIKAR
MUSIC DIRECTOR: ILAYARAJA
STORYLINE:
It's "Kadhal Kottai" all over again, but director Ahathian has learned from his mistakes, making this a far better ride. In this, Vishwa (Prashanth) is disturbed by the incessant arguments between his father (Manivannan) and mother (Ambika -- who speaks Telugu with flair!), and so he decides to go to London. So does a girl named Jyothi (Isha Gopikar in a great debut), who had previously clashed with Vishwa. The two never meet in London, but do exchange love poems over Princess Diana's memorial. They fall in love without ever seeing each other.
The rest of the story involves them trying to figure out each other's identities, but clashing when they do meet. Swapna (Kasthuri) comes in briefly as Vishwa's office worker and Jyothi's friend to form a love triangle.
Anandan, Vishwa's friend, is played quite adeptly by Charlie (check out his "speaking Japanese" scene which was almost nominated for best comedy scene). Rajiv and Srividya play Jyothi's parents, who married out of love. Supriya comes briefly as Jyothi's friend. 'Thalaivaasal' Vijay makes an appearance as Vishwa's London-based friend.
The only real time the movie relies on fake suspense is near the end, with Jyothi's frantic suicide bid.
COMMENTS:
Ahathian has pulled it off again without making this round so laborious. The dialogue is carping and funny, and Prashanth and Charlie pull it off with flair. It's a fun movie, and the actors realize that and HAVE fun. One of my only regrets in this movie was the ending in which the heroine's usual suicide bid seems to drag on forever. Another was the constant idolization of Princess Diana as the "princess of love" and an unnecessary line when Prashanth says, of the British, "You once ruled us with law. Now you rule us with love."
There are also small problems in the movie such as the fact that 'Thalaivaasal' Vijay has nothing better to do all day than to search for Vishwa's girlfriend.
But overall, it's a fun ride, and you come out, thinking, "Not a bad movie at all."
NOTE ON THE MUSIC:
The music is pleasing to the ear, if no incredible symphony. Ilayaraja has written some memorable songs, including the title song, "Eh Konji Paesu" and "Kaadhal." (Roja makes an appearance in a song.)
RECOMMENDATION:
Watch it in the theater if you can.
VIJAY VANNIARAJAN