Gung-ho!!. Review on Saamy Movie

If there’s a movie that has made MILLIONS without the Hype and Hungama created before the release (normally associated with Rajni “Baba” kant flicks), its gotta be THIS ONE!!! Clearly the Underdog, this movie has gone on to create a sort of record unseen in recent history. It has also rekindled a genre of movies long dead since the late 80’s.

The police are back in action and they’re coming in a BIG way, with “Kaaka Kaaka” waiting in the wings. Also, it looks like film-makers have realized that Plain-Jane love stories don’t sell anymore. To succeed at the box office, a film has to show more than just the couple dancing around trees. Masala vendum aaiyah!.

While viewing Saamy, we experience something called Momentary Euphoria. With Corruption and Injustice growing out of proportion, and no immediate relief in sight, the movie suggests some possible corrective actions, however radical, avant-garde or eyebrow raising they may be. Which results in what I call Momentary Euphoria, a feeling that Yes, something can be done! The trend began with Indian, Mudhalvan, Ramana and continues to pull the audience into the theatre. Even half-baked B-graders like Dhool and Dhil, have gone down well with the masses!! In layman terms, I would say such movies have “JOSH”!!

STORY:

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The main Protagonist in Saamy is Commissioner Aarusaamy, who doesn’t believe in the conventional rules that limit the police from taking stringent action against wrong doers. As soon as he takes charge of Tirunalveli town, where the whole film is based, he orders the force to bend the rules whenever required to maintain law and order. While acting tough, he also shakes hands with the local Don and accepts bribes from him. Confused? That’s the uniqueness displayed in Saamy. He is a Bad Good guy! The explanation for this behavior takes us into his Past, where we see his father advising him that its not wrong to take bribes for doing Good to people. Hence he uses this as a Tool by which he can, with the connivance of the Don, help in maintaining law and order in the town. So far so good..

A conflict between the Don and our Hero and Don gets him transferred to another town. Hero is supposed to move out after a week. Hero promises to bring down the whole empire of the Don within that week. The second half of the movie concentrates and emphasizes solely on the Hero’s attempts to render the Don toothless.

Well, after that ubiquitous Storytelling lecture, let me get back to THE revu!

MY VIEWS:

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The Trump Card in Saamy is its Story and Screenplay. While one may argue that this Idea has been experimented with to an extent in the above-mentioned movies, none of them managed to have a Real-Life feel to them!! Saamy scores in the fact that it presents the Police in an Altogether New Avatar, something more Exciting and Refreshing than ever before!

Saamy may not boast of a Completely Original Story…yes there is some bits and pieces derived from various popular movies but the Amalgamation is nothing short of Perfect. Hari (Story, Screenplay & Direction), who had a rather cold debut with Tamizh, has made amends this time around by delivering a Whopper! The story keeps us riveted and proceeds at a Furious Pace, thanks to the well-written screenplay, which also places all the songs at just the right place. No dull moments in this one!! Vivek’s comedy track…which is looking increasingly out of place in movies, blends seamlessly with the Story. And thankfully its devoid of any toilet humour. Top honors for the Direction too. The hard work Hari has put in with Cinematographer Priyan and the editor are visible in every frame. He has also extracted Superb performances from the Ensemble cast. Bravo!

PERFORMANCES:

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Vikram, now christened the next Kamal Haasan, outshines himself in this enterprise. He looks super-slick with that trim body, clean shave and set hair. And the intensity he delivers with his dialogues and actions is something all actors will derive something from.

Trisha looks like a Million bucks and shows off her sexiness in songs like “Pudichiriku”. Gladly, she also does act a bit!!

The Villian, some guy from Andhra, looks reall Shabby and justifiably so, since he plays the role of “Perumal Pichai”….a beggar by birth!

Vivek shines after a long time and proves that comedy is best enjoyed when it appears as a part of the story instead of forced digressions. Suresh Khanna, acting as Vikram’s subordinate does an admirable job and manages to raise a few chuckles!

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:

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To be sure, the Technical Team is in Terrific Form.

Priyan’s Camerawork is Amazingly Dexterous and captures the rustic environment of the village and Tirunalveli town to perfection.

Harris Jayaraj is on a Roll! After giving some Gr8 Music in Lesa Lesa, he comes up with some really hummable and racy tunes. I especially love the number “Pudichiruku”! The song “Athangaray Puliya Maram” when our Hero is just about to leave town features some really interesting and beautiful Lyrics!

Action sequences have been executed well, but as I say that, I must add there is definitely scope for improvement. The climax is a Big Let Down because its completely unlike the rest of the movie. The usual chase ends up in the Hero killing the Villian. That too single handedly smashing scores of his pawns by leaping over them is not what one expected after sitting thru the movie.

Editing by V. T. Vijayan is Crisp, except for the Climax which feels little extended.

Viewed as a package, Saamy is just what the doctor ordered for the ailing Tamil Film Industry. After Anbe Sivam, I find this to be the next Best film of the Year.

CHEERS!