.jpg "Nenjam Marappathillai Movie Review")
Nenjam Marappathillai Movie Cast & Crew
Director Selvaraghavan's long awaited horror thriller, Nenjam Marapathillai has finally seen the light of day. Amidst high expectations, the film has released today and it is expected to take a very good opening at the box office. So, what is Nenjam Marapathillai all about? Here is what you need to know!
Ramsay (SJ Suryah) is married to (Nandita Swetha) and the couple has a 4-year-old son, Rishi. Mariam (Regina Cassandra) enters the house as a caretaker for Rishi and she develops a bond with the young kid. Meanwhile, Ramsay is attracted towards Mariam and he tries to be sexually involved with her. That is where the problems begin, for Ramsay! What problems does Ramsay face and how does he come out of it, forms the crux of Nenjam Marappathillai.
SJ Suryah delivers a stunning performance as Ramsay and one can surely call Nenjam Marapathillai to be one of his best works. He is eccentric, enticing, and enjoyable as Ramsay and the people who love his craziness would have a blast watching him perform. He is absolutely amazing and it is a delight to watch him go all crazy and weird. Regina Cassandra gets a solid role, as Mariam and she pulls it off quite neatly. She manages to showcase emotions through her eyes that look powerful. It is the performances of these two actors that make Nenjam Marapathillai look better, despite its other shortcomings. Nandita Swetha does her part well in a character that could have been sketched even better.
The film has certain ups and downs and it is inconsistent in certain places. Whenever the film faces a dip, either SJ Suryah or Yuvan Shankar Raja comes to the rescue and makes it engaging. The first half of Nenjam Marappathillai has trademark Selvaraghavan touches and it engages the audience. However, the second half doesn't turn out to be what one would have expected and you would have a mixed feeling after watching the film. The film looks animated in certain places and it turns out to be dramatic, as well. The audience who do not adapt to the mood of the film will find it quite difficult. Nenjam Marappathillai may not be a comfortable watch for everyone, considering the wacky world it is set in, and the characters that revolve around it.
On the positive side, the dark humour in the film works big time and it is highly enjoyable. The relationship bond between Mariam and Rishi is showcased well and their moments bring a smile.
Director Selvaraghavan shines in the writing of Ramsay's character and the arc is impressive. The way Ramsay reacts to various situations is interesting to watch. Unlike the mainstream horror films that focus on jump scares, here, Selvaraghavan sets an eerie mood with his characters and it is their emotions that take the film forward. There are no scary moments, as such and this different treatment is noteworthy. While the writing is highly impressive, the packaging doesn't look complete and certain moments in the second half becomes ordinary and predictable. The final act is a letdown, considering the treatment of the film so far. The cliched climax could have been altered and that could have made the film look even more complete.
Yuvan Shankar Raja leaves a solid impact with his background score and his riveting music elevates the film to a different level. The songs have also already become big hits and it adds strength to the film. Arvind Krishna's visuals are top-notch and he brings the trippy mood through his colours and frames. GK Prasanna's editing is another positive for the film. Except for the tacky VFX/CGI work, there are no major complaints about Nenjam Marappathillai's technical work.
Verdict: SJ Suryah's performance, Selvaraghavan's writing, and Yuvan's riveting score make Nenjam Marappathillai a fine watch!
