'Puli' was a disastrously forgettable nightmare not only for Vijay but also for all of us. Does 'Theri' also join that elite rank?
'Raja Rani' was a movie to remember and reckon with - be it the comedy, sentiments, romance, songs or dialogues especially the dialogues. I was crying like anything when I finished watching it. Atlee showed his class in his debut flick and he nearly pulls the rabbit out of the hat yet again in 'Theri'. The only stumbling block which Atlee faces is the choice of hero for the film - Vijay. It is extremely sacrilegious to his millions of fan followers who revere and cherish Vijay's films for his larger-than-life 'Mass' image - Hyper-energetic songs, breath-taking dance steps, fiery, loud and noisy punch dialogues that is sure to reach Pluto!, hilarious comedy scenes and superstormic action sequences. In short, it is extremely difficult to make a movie like 'Raja Rani' with so many conditions to satisfy and Vijay as the lead actor. However, Atlee shows his intelligence in the screenplay by wiggling through, struggling and finding a common middle ground by incorporating all the mandatory necessities for a Vijay film without forgoing on his own style of delivery.
For example, take the first scene where a rash car driver splashes muddy water on Nivi and Vijay chases him down on his rickety bullet. In any typical Vijay's movie, you will expect the hero to physically or at least verbally thrash the person who was responsible for making his loving daughter cry. In this instance, you don't see either of the above scenarios but a very subdued Vijay requesting the person to apologize to Nivi for his irresponsible actions. Though it was different from a normal Vijay flick, it was a complete no-brainer that there was a serious flashback closely on the horizon. Why do you think that? It's uncomplicatedly simple. YOU ARE IN A VIJAY FILM. The imperatives have to be ticked to click with his ardent fans. That's where Atlee falls down on a slippery slope. He would have injured himself gravely if he hadn't insured himself properly not just financially but also investing his time and effort in creating a story that matches the aura of Vijay's indelible and indestructible image which has been meticulously imprinted in the minds of his large receptive audience for years together.
As Joseph Kuruvilla, Vijay is really amazing as a caring dad for the charming Nivi. As DCP Vijay Kumar, he is both murderous and comic in the handling of the thugs, hoodlums and scoundrels. Unfortunately, several of his dialogue delivery, hysterical laughter and mannerisms is very much reminiscent of the blockbusters 'Kathi' and 'Thuppaki'. Since it is self-evident that he is just an average actor with a remarkable and a sensational screen presence much like Rajnikanth though their style quotients are entirely different, you tend to overlook the cut and dried certainty that he is simply a one-dimensional actor. Despite all his limitations, Vijay has once again given a thoroughly entertaining performance especially the bridge scene where he speaks with Rajendran.
As usual, Samantha is scorching not just in her looks and attires but with her acting as well. It was indeed a poignant moment in the movie when a dying Mithra asks the DCP what sort of a wife was she to him. Amy Jackson strolls in and out of the screens by lip-syncing Malayalam against a beautiful backdrop. As Vijay's mom, Raadhika is bubbly bubbly with energy and sparkles with her warm and pleasant personality in the elaborately restricted screen space allotted to her. But, the real heroine is Nivi. OMG! Her cuteness. Her appealing and delightful way in the conversations. Her innocent expressions though sometimes you get the funny feeling that she was speaking too much for a kid! However, Nivi's endearing personality is such that you fall in love with this little charmer. She is truly the darling of 'Theri'. Hats off to Atlee for his keen eye to finding such a talent. She really elevated the film to another level sans Vijay's routine acting, Atlee's excellent penmanship and GV Prakash's electrifying BGM. As we are on the topic of BGM, GV Prakash's music humongously falls flat. The songs fail to make a mark and it was like they were merely present to satiate the hunger of Vijay fans.
Overall, Theri is just another predictable revenge potboiler though Atlee has wielded it in such a manner to give it a different color and hue. I am neither an Ajith or a Vijay fan. So, if a direct, non pussy-footing question as to whether I liked Theri is posed to me in a rather casual fashion. It's a resounding YES.
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