Just two hours after knowing that the movie ‘Manmadhan Ambu’ has already been released, and just three hours before the movie started, my friend asked me whether I am ready to go instead of him for the same. It didn’t take me long to decide that I will be going and I was at the theatre with my friends at the right time.
‘Manmadhan Ambu’, revolves the story between three important characters Major Mannar (MAN, played by Kamal Haasan), Madhan (played by Madhavan) and Ambujakshi (Ambu, played by Trisha). Other important characters in the movie include Ramesh Aravind, Sangeetha.
Plot:
Madhan is a big time business man who became famous after the talks about his wedding bells with the heartthrob of the city Nisha alias Ambujakshi. Madhan’s mom is slightly apprehensive as Nisha is an actress and adding to it, Madhan’s suspicion leads to Nisha asking for a break. Nisha decides to spend time with her close friend Deepa (Sangeetha) and her children on a European Cruise trip. Madhan suspects her intentions and sends in former Indian Army Major R.Mannar on a mission to spy on her activities. Mannar agrees to do it for the sake of saving his best friend Rajan who is in a critical condition in a hospital undergoing a chemotherapy operation. When Mannar certifies Nisha’s credibility as strong, Madhan calls off the mission and refuses to pay any amount as he felt that Mannar had not found anything useful. This prompts Mannar to start with a lie that Nisha is seeing some other guy and follows it up with a series of lies. What happens then forms the rest of the story.
Touted to be a big comedy entertainer, the movie lacks in comedy. Kamal himself had mentioned that the movie is not fully of comedy and there are serious scenes as well. Just like he said, the movie is partly a serious movie and full of emotions that it should not be considered a comedy movie. Taking that into consideration, the last half an hour of comedy that leads to the silly climax is a big let off. The movie ended just before the last half an hour and the last half an hour was added for entertainment. Apart from that, the movie is beautiful where Kamal’s story and screenplay makes sure the emotions of the characters are conveyed and how people react to situations.
The first half was dominated by Kamal and Trisha with both stealing the limelight just with their eye expressions. The second half of the movie (especially the last half an hour) was dominated by Madhavan and Sangeetha (surprisingly, not much of Kamal) and Sangeetha’s son Vishwanathan’s performance is a bonus.
Certain scenes of the movie are worthy to be mentioned. Kamal’s introduction scene where he puts his martial arts skills to use in a foreign land and proudly says that he is from Indian Army is one of those scenes. The scene where Kamal follows Trisha; both going in cars and looking at the moving flock of birds in the sky and feeling sad for different reasons each was well taken. The screenplay of the Neela Vaanam song was awesomely taken and one of the best of the movie. Also the scene where Kamal talks about the true meaning of bravery is applaudable.
The man behind the lens has done a really awesome job. The songs are listenable though Neela Vaanam is towards the outstanding part of the scale. As I said, the video is also well taken. Dhagudhu Dhattam is good to listen and the title song is hummable. Kamal Kavidhai is definitely missed in the movie.
The cons of the movie include the lousy ending that makes it look like it was dragged unnecessarily. Also the live recording of the dialogue makes you want to listen very hard. The other good things in the movie plus the presence of Kamal (You do know the magic of Kamal’s full length comedies!) makes it a watchable movie. Although, I do have to warn again that the movie is not beautiful for the comedy but for the mixed emotions faced by people owing to circumstances. Watch it for sure.
