Angadi Theru - Movie Review

 Movie Review:  After his hard-hitting ‘Veyyil’, Vasanthabalan has dared to venture where no other director has until date. The raw and sometimes brutal side of the sweat shops of commerce, shopping malls, is showcased. Richard Nathan’s camera lays bare the innards of Senthil Murugan Stores on Ranganathan Street, adding power to Vasanthabalan’s bold script .


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The one-stop shop wonders that attract thousands of shoppers and spin the wheels of commerce are actually spun by the sweaty and sleep-deprived hungry youth of Tamil Nadu.While they have jobs that allow them to send home desperately-needed money, their working conditions are pathetic. But the young sweat it out, despite lacking fundamental rights, including the freedom to fall in love.

The story unfolds through the lives of Jothilingam (newcomer Mahesh), and his friend Marimuthu (Pandi) who are brought to Chennai from their humble homes in Ittamozhi of Tirunelveli district. Sent first to the underbelly, the godown, the two are thrilled when they go to the air conditioned third floor. And that is when the reality-check kicks in, fully.

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In the form of the abusive floor supervisor (director Venkatesh), who does not hesitate to slap a boy who gives him the lip or a girl who slackens on the job. When he finds a love letter written by a girl, he conducts an open inquiry which drives the girl to jump off the third floor in full view of all.

Jothilingam, who by now is in love with Kani (Anjali) worries over the fate of his romance, but all that is forgotten when actor Sneha arrives for an ad film shoot in the shop. While everyone is busy, the two lovers steal a few moments alone but end up getting locked when the shop closes at night. As they face the consequences, and choose to live a life on the streets of Chennai, tragedy strikes in the form of an accident. Will true love prevail?

While the first half races past, the second gets entangled in unnecessary sub-plots, like the one about Kani’s young sister employed as a housemaid, and meanders a bit. However, all the actors have pulled off convincing performances. Vijay Anthony and GV Prakash have teamed up for the music, and ‘Aval appadi onrum azhagillai’ is the pick of the lot.

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This not a pretty picture, but a searing comment. The next time you visit a shopping mall, vignettes from the film will pop up, like spam mail, in your memory. A hard, but must-see for those who care about cinema and society.