Nandalala- Stark reality.

Intro

A Tamil contribution to World Cinema. Though I am not a big fan of these movies, they don't entertain much, I have to say that like most World Movies this one portrays a stark reality using only good filming techniques. A Tamil take on 'Kikujiro' this film adds enough Indian flavour without butchering the original.

Synopsis

What do a mad man in an asylum and a little boy in primary school have in common? A longing to meet their mother. The former to confront her as to why she left him in an asylum and the latter to simply give her a kiss. Fate has it that they travel together and in this journey they encounter unconditional mother's love albeit in a completely unexpected manner.

Good 

Not too many Indian movies have the detail of a good novel, or the aesthetics which fully exploit the medium which is film. Using montages to tell a story, especially in India, requires a lot of guts and the applause has to go to the director of the film. You will love the seeming silence which engulfs the film. And you will notice that there is depressing mood in the film like in most Tamil films which reflect the lives of the outcasts of society- Mentally ill, physically challenged and abandoned children.

Bad

The music was horrible to say the least. Flashes of Ilayaraja's genius are evident but over all it seemed like music borrowed from a cheap fusion CD. And I think that in all the detailing that went into the form or the art, there were many scenes which drew a blank or were confusing in a not so intellectually overwhelming. A little irritating at times.

Ugly

I think this film is Myshkin's failure to fill too many shoes and I think he did not have to put himself everywhere. He is a good director and a decent actor. But he should have done just one role to justify the original he drew inspiration from. There is a paradox here for Takeshi Kitano wrote, starred and directed Kikujiro. But I honestly believe Indian directors cannot play such supermen and these attempts show a vulgar attempt to satisfy the ego rather than for the art of film making. Does Kamal Hasan ring a bell.

Marks- 5/10. A missed opportunity to make one of the best films of the decade.