Varisu

This movie was something I was most worried for as it presented a family template that seemed dated and done innumerable number of times. The film as the trailer promised focusses on a family whom are ruthless with their business practices and the youngest son, Vijay is a nomad of sorts whom due to differences with his father lives independently. Emergency requires the level headed and responsible son to return and mend the mess created by the elder brothers and what transpires as Vijay takes charge forms the basic storyline of this film! You know what was the best part about this film, that Vijay was finally relaxed and free. Beast it almost seemed as if he was directed by Nelson to be as monosyllabic and stiff as possible. This led to even the comedic sequences falling flat but my god is his comic timing absolutely impeccable in this film, so much so that he even enhances the most absurd scenes. His comic timing with Yogi Babu upon returning back to the family and seeing the toxic dynamic is absolutely hilarious, even while hitting on Rashmika and Yogi’s side commentary on the development of events is top tier comedy. The best however is a press conference sequence where Vijay references his own filmography and it led to the biggest cheers and laughs in the theatre. One thing I can be sure of is that the comedy clips of Varisu will be an absolute rager. What was routine and cliche in the first half was done with conviction and I started to really wonder, how is it that despite the familiar template im actually enjoying this. Its literally a little bit of Baghban, a little bit of HUM SAATH SAATH HAI with the Telugu mass tinge and then I witnessed my biggest fear, the movie transitioning to become so melodramatic and so generic that it even looses its footing of being mildly entertaining. The movie transitions from the hilarious family dynamic and Vijay infusing scenes with his comic timing to one vs many over the top action set pieces, forgettable romantic scenes with Rashmika whom is in yet another flower pot role that has nothing to do with the plot, an abduction scene that carries on for far too long and a case of a troubled marriage whose solution is so absurd, so regressive, where the woman has to be the sacrificial lamb and bear the brunt of being hurt as if there couldn’t be any other way. The brilliant set up of a beautiful bond between a sincere Vijay and an exceptional Jayasudha playing his mother and the carefree nature with which Vijay played his part gets lost in this cookie cutter generic family template that honestly broke my heart! Its an absolute treat to watch Vijay dance and trust me the marketing hasn’t even put out some of his best dance moves that you’ll get to see on the big screen but the star can only dance so much to make your trip to the theatre worthwhile. The directors Telugu cinema prowess is really showcased in the staging of scenes where Vijay has epic one liners but that is a very small part of a bigger problem, the lack of a storyline or something that we’ve never seen before! I appreciate Vijay even till the last minute trying to entertain the audience, he even in the climax is par taking in such effective physical comedy that it helps in looking past the mediocrity of the plot but when you see the film holistically, you know you’re only going to remember it because of 3-4 scenes rather than the entire film! All in all if you personally ask me the Pongal 2023 releases from Tamil Cinema boasts of stars whom are in great form, Ajith as the spunky anti hero and Vijay as the hilarious and entertaining brother in a family of SADHUS but the storylines of both the ventures are lacklustre at best, leading to a very average tale at the movies this weekend. The box office numbers might be ringing but creatively its nothing special! I hope THALAPATHY 67 and Ajith’s next really surprise us.