Jul 1, 2005

Anniyan - Review

(Pictures adopted from Hindu, Chennai Online and Yahoo!)

My rating: A- for Vikram, Shankar and Sujatha.

Anniyan is another fantasy product from Shankar’s dream factory. It is similar to Indian in terms of a sad flashback featuring an unnatural death, the resolution of the protagonist to change the system by punishing the offenders, thereby issuing a warning to all the defaulters, a police officer in hunt for the law-breaker and, in the end, though being caught, he still remains ‘free’. But, the similarity ends there. Shankar has brought in a new dimension of ‘multiple personality disorder’ (which, with Jo in Chandramukhi, seems to be a hot thing in tamil cinemas.. many more are sure to get MPD..) and Vikram has done a tremendous job in this new challenge.

After showing his anger on our educational system and on corrupt ministers (Gentleman), corrupt government officers (Indian) and selfish, narrow-minded politicians (Mudhalvan), Shankar is now pointing fingers at every one of us, Indians. We cant agree more, we nod our head in approval. So, Anniyan punishes such people whose crimes either don’t have a punishment in our laws or lukewarm punishment. Those include a person who refuses to help an accident victim, a money-hungry landlord, a lazy jobless drunkard, a food supplier who doesn’t care about the quality and a hardware businessman manufacturing low quality products. Each of them is punished according to what they would have got in the ‘hell’ after their death, according to ‘Garuda Puranam’.

Anniyan is an identity within Ramanujam aka Ambi, a lawyer who is a perfect man in the imperfect world. He loves Nandini (Sadha) but is too shy to propose to her. When he does, after much pressure from his childhood friend Chari (Vivek), Sadha promptly rejects his love, saying that he is too much of an algorithm for any girl to fall in love with. With the dejection, is born another identity, Remo, a rampwalk model. He impresses Nandini with his cool yo-yo looks and poetic words, to fall in love with him. In a moment, she sees all the three identities; in fact, the sweet-talking Remo turns into a deadly Anniyan hunting to kill her. A psychiatrist (Nasser) hypnotizes Ambi and then comes the sad childhood flashback, a reason for the birth of Anniyan and Remo.

The script is terrific, though filled with quite a lot of holes. But, forget the logic, and you get three hours of mind-blowing experience. Vikram gives a complete performance, especially as Ambi and Anniyan. His body language, speech, expressions and mannerisms are totally different for the three personalities and he has made it all look so simple. Another national-award winning performance from him. It is a very intelligent use of the long hair for all the three. Stand-out stuff was the pre-climax fight with Prakash Raj.

Sadha looks good as a Iyengar girl. Her dialogue delivery and acting have improved since Jayam. Vivek is back to his best with his typical on-the-spot comedy. There is a mention of Tsunami here too, which could have been avoided. His scenes never go out of context of the main story of the movie. Prakash Raj looks refreshingly different from his previous negative roles and Shankar has managed to still bring the best out of him. His usage of the Garuda Purana punishments during interrogation has brought out his well-thought out quest for vengeance. The support cast of Nedumudi Venu and others at the Agraharam bring out some lively, less-cinematic performances.

Sujatha has penned the dialogue, as one can see, quite enjoyingly, since the Iyengar dialect is from his own routine life. Harris Jayaraj’s background music is more impressive than most of the songs. It helps the audience go through the various paths the different identities take. Kumari is my favorite, beautifully shot during the flower season of Amsterdam. Choreography is OK. Stunt-coordination is worth applauding, though inspired from Matrix. The blend of time-freeze and DTS makes the fight scene at the martial arts center a sure ‘once-more’ item. Cinematography by Manikandan and Ravi Varman is pleasing, be it in India or Netherlands, day or night, indoor or outdoor, songs or action.

In the end, kudos to Shankar. Surely, the message is well-conveyed. The screenplay is characteristically smooth. It could be seen that lot of thought-process has gone into each and every scene. The use of a less known ‘Garuda Puranam’ and the colloquially used “you/he/she will go to hell” curse is real clever thinking. Though the issues dealt are quite different than the ones I thought, they have been handled well. The climax scene is well-thought one. Here we see a ‘refined’ and smarter Ambi-Anniyan. It seems as though the two years of idleness has brought both the identities together with a split personality becoming one, half of both. If you dig deep, there are pieces of brilliance and nice paradoxes all over the place. In the first scene, Ambi says "I hate disorder" but what a disorder he has got!!

On the down side, Shankar has missed a few points: One – how famous Anniyan has become to the public is not shown. So, when the stadium gets full with the public and media personnel after his announcement, it is hard to believe that so many had already known about him. Two – unlike in Gentleman and Indian, the police officer doesn’t get much closer to his target as the movie progresses. No mention about the worry for the reason behind the serial murders. The net-tracker says the complaints on all the 5 defaulters were launched from the same phone line, but we see that Ambi uses a cyber café in a railway station to lodge one complaint.

Anyway, the movie has become a huge hit all over the world. The most important question is, whether the viewers would consider this as just another movie, or take the message home. If they do, the claps in the movie halls make sense.. if they don’t……

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

good review GP. I am yet to see this movie, but will see it when the DVD comes out. i hear all negatives about the movie everywhere, ur review stated some of the positives. so good to see ur review.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Nitin.. Sorry for the delay in writing.. Got tied up with work..

My work didnt like it so much.. she said it was OK.. I think in general, ladies wouldn't like it as much as guys.

Anniyan is coming to Florida, on 10th July at Jacksonville. Still far for you.. Worth watching at theater rather than DVD..

Anonymous said...

Arun from Chennai said..

Padmanabhan, Thank you for a very nice review of the movie. It was more balanced than Ram's Review. http://dreamstores.blogspot.com/2005/06/anniyan-review.html
There are minor flaws in the movie but they are totally forgettable.

Your opinions of a refined smarter Ambi-Anniyan are quite interesting. I'd also like to add that, since Anniyan is the dominating alter ego, he could've talked some sense into Ambi while in the hospital for 2 years and in the end they've learnt to co-exist with each other with Anniyan appearing at will, without harming or hampering Ambi's daily life.

And Nitin,
For a response to the negatives you've been hearing, please read my post on Ram's Anniyan review.
http://dreamstores.blogspot.com/2005/06/anniyan-review.html
I do not wish to spam this blog! :).

Nitin, please go to the movie hall and watch it with your friends/family. I assure you that you'll have a great time.
This movie rules. I'd like to see more cinema of this kind from Shankar. This movie needs to be watched in the theatre like every other Shankar movie.
Thiruttu VCD/DVD in a Bose Home theatre will not do any justice to this film. Amazing performances(Vikram- trust me, you have not seen acting like this before)+ Spectacular visual effects + slick production..This is Widescreen Entertainment at its best.
Definitely a MUST SEE on everyone's list.

Arun from Chennai

Anonymous said...

Thanks Arun..

I too think that there has been/will be no movie without any flaws.. May be these things missed out in editing..

When I came out of the theater, I felt a little bit of emptiness.. It was like "the whole world is going to watch what Ambi would do after his release".. would he do that single mistake, get caught and again spend 2-3 years in jail? What is the use for all the previous killings? It is then that I analyzed the last murder. It was indeed smooth and polished..

Balaji said...

gp, great review. i liked your thot process in the way u've analyzed both +s and logic loopholes.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Balaji.. After posting mine, I read your review.. I found the difference between an Amateur and a veteran expert.. :-)

Ram C said...

indeed, a optimistic wishful approach, GP. As I had replied to Anonymous Arun's comments in my post, perception differs.

It seems Arun didn't have time to go around the web. There were 'n' of negative reviews worser than me - who have used the same language which Arun has used in the comments section. Considering Shankar's expertise, these flaws could have been avoided.

If it is a KS.Ravikumar movie I would not have expected perfection in the screenplay. But Shankar proved earlier. So, obviously I expect perfection in his screenpaly. Arun has been carried away too much with the movie and acted as if he is a split personality of Shankar. Anyhow, that is his perception again....

Anonymous said...

Yeah Ram.. I have watched the movie already 3 times.. liking it each time.. and ofcourse, some faults could be found..

Shankar is human too.. Though Arun was quite harsh in his comments, plz. dont take it personally.. It is like people getting irritated at Sachin-bashing and Rahman-bashing, etc..

Anonymous said...

Arun from india. I wish I could see it in theatres. But where I am living, there are not theatres nearby, and I dont feel like driving 6hrs to watch a movie. You are lucky to have seen it in theatre. My only option is DVD, never thiruttu vcd, vcds are poor quality, and would definitely not do justice to this highly spent movie.

ada-paavi!!!! said...

well i dont like the movie, it an adrenaline rush kind of movie. and shankers style reminds me of the early 90 to late 90s, when songs wud abruptly be placed in movies while sitting in the editing room without any thought to their location and their need. te movie is long by about half an hour to45 minutes, and this needs to be cut, remo is badly evolved and displayed on screen. read my version of anniyan bashing.

Anonymous said...

Srivatsan, every individual's taste is different.. I didnt like Chandramukhi that much.. it is a super-hit..

Anyway, in most of tamil movies, song locations and necessities are always questionable.. right?

Anonymous said...

good review but a small mistake.. it was the gal from 5 star who lent her voice for sada in this movie...

Anonymous said...

Anon, thanks.. I forgot that she got a dubbing artist for her.. Still, I thought her facial modulations during dubbing was better than in Jayam..

Anonymous said...

Thank you!
[url=http://afoggiiq.com/bqoa/qqzt.html]My homepage[/url] | [url=http://ucyqvakp.com/ctoh/ctft.html]Cool site[/url]

Anonymous said...

Good design!
My homepage | Please visit

Anonymous said...

Great work!
http://afoggiiq.com/bqoa/qqzt.html | http://coedekir.com/jztg/jdtp.html

Anonymous said...

Cool blog, interesting information... Keep it UP Payday loan faq http://www.order-diet-pill.info/Loss_cheap_weight_tablets.html diabetes lipitor Zithromax used to treat http://www.chrysler-voyager-4.info/magellan-roadmate-300-gps-car-navigation-system.html http://www.childhoodeczema.info/Cholesterol.html Ala alc impotence study

Anonymous said...

Wonderful and informative web site. I used information from that site its great. Diet ingredient phentermine pill tadalafil try for free Acoustic research computer speakers Haed drive recovery lazer tatoo removal Black leather parsons chair 9 year old football birthday party Free downloadable mcse 2003 server training kit Prize mox gay Problems with laser hair removal Fax service web Cost cataract surgery birmingham alabama land rover discovery s turbo Gmc austin Radar detectors escort instructions liverpool football club home page 1leadlightning affiliate internet marketing program.com acne prevention spray Eyewear frames bebe Male anal play tips

Anonymous said...

Excellent, love it! » »

Anonymous said...

[size=72][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=24]ENTER ON SOFTWARE PORTAL[/url][/color][/size]

[size=46][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=24]DOWNLOAD SOFT![/url][/color][/size]

[img]http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/4762671/2/istockphoto_4762671-software-box.jpg[/img]

[size=46][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=24]OEM SOFTWARE[/url][/color][/size]

[size=72][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=24]DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE[/url][/color][/size]

[size=72][b]Online libtrawl software to PC[/b][/size]
[size=72][b]Load libtrawl software programms on Mac OS[/b][/size]
[size=72][b]Online libtrawl software programms Mac[/b][/size]

http://www.google.com/

Anonymous said...

[size=72][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=23]WEB SEARCH ENGINE![/url][/color][/size]

[size=48][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=23]That? What? When?[/url][/color][/size]

[img]http://www.seo-sacramento.com/images/search-engine-optimisation.gif[/img]

[size=72][color=red][url=http://www.go4you.net/go.php?sid=23]WEB SEARCH ENGINE![/url][/color][/size]

[size=48][b][/b][/size]
[size=48][b][/b][/size]
[size=48][b][/b][/size]



[url=http://ubajdaabrame.yoyohost.com/]how to spell occassionally - how to cook toupee ham[/url]
[url=http://katadasimone.freehostia.com/disney-pixar-car-how-to-draw.html]collosal sea scallops how to cook[/url]
[url=http://numanholostj.freehostia.com/369-the-song-what-is-life.html]how to camouflage paint your rifle[/url]
[url=http://salimafinov4.freehostia.com/blog-52-how.html]how to hack web servers[/url]
[url=http://saalimaoznob.freehostia.com/wiki-how-to-paint-comic-on-canvas.html]how to run auto on hho[/url]
[url=http://olivijakorni.freehostia.com/856-how-to-draw-an-electrical-print.html]how to tie swiss seat[/url]
[url=http://lindapodruzh.freehostia.com/yd-how.html]how to paint sand with acylics[/url]
[url=http://tatianastras.freehostia.com/how-to-say-kiss-in-spanish.html]what is deep emotional love[/url]
[url=http://ilhamkolobro.freehostia.com/]how to make paper origami tie - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://julianagogol.freehostia.com/]ed emberley's how to draw animals - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://ridvanborovi.freehostia.com/]how to tie a hangmans rope - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://ioanntuljako.freehostia.com/http://ioanntuljako.freehostia.com/?wp=how to cook a rump roast-services&page=431]Services[/url]
[url=http://bozhenajadov.freehostia.com/wiki-how-to-write-a-prose-portrait.html]how to write a fundraising letter[/url]
[url=http://ridapirozhko.freehostia.com/]how to draw geometric figures - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://nadzhvadudin.freehostia.com/wiki-how-to-tie-an-oblong-scarf.html]corinthians what is love[/url]
[url=http://mahafishkov1.freehostia.com/]how to cook tuna filets - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://dzhabirzhari.freehostia.com/]how to hack the game host - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://oskarmurzin4.freehostia.com/]how to write professional business letters - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://astratatarni.freehostia.com/]how to write an article review - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://simeonletugi.freehostia.com/]how to draw manga comic books - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://mijasvinolup.freehostia.com/how-to-spell-costemers.html]how to draw byakugan[/url]
[url=http://lukjancherno.freehostia.com/]how to write a painting contract - blog 1[/url]
[url=http://jadvigaevtih.freehostia.com/site-map.html]Sitemap[/url]
[url=http://salemkashiri.freehostia.com/892-how-to-cook-smoking-roast-beef.html]how to tie a thimble boat[/url]
[url=http://jamhaushak31.freehostia.com/http://jamhaushak31.freehostia.com/]how to hack internet bank accounts[/url]
[url=http://alinajavorov.freehostia.com/815-how-to-draw-a-comet.html]what is the arc of life[/url]

Anonymous said...

divxtodvd keygen
super dvd creator 8.5 5 crack
turbo note crack
win rar 3.30 keygen
microsoft office standard edition 2003 keygen
ricochet lost worlds recharged keygen
visio 2003 crack serial
wordup crack
mechanical clock 3d screensaver 1.0 crack
matrixmania keygen




windows me product key crack
internet download manager registration crack
copycontrol crack
scansoft pdf converter professional 2 crack
dead to rights no cd crack
3d studio max 7 download crack
anixis crack
pdf 2 word 2.26 crack
starcraft brood war no cd crack
linkferret 3.12 crack
battlefiled 1942 crack
windshield crack repair san diego
diablo 2 expansion cd keygen
hardwood solitaire iii crack
versiontracker crack
super blackjack crack
netvisualize crack
visual c++ download crack
crystal player professional 1.9 crack
brain wave generator 3.1.11 crack

website optimisation said...

I find this coding hard to read

Anonymous said...

Dear
Rolland Reash Plumbing, Inc. has been in business for over 10 years
and has grown to be one of the largest, most respected plumbing
companies in the Jacksonville area. We have over 10 trucks and likely
will have one in your area now.

Whether it's a toilet repair, sink repair, three bath re-pipe, or
bathroom remodel, there is no plumbing job that we can't handle. No
matter how complicated or unconventional the repair may be,
we have done it before.

Our goal is to completely satisfy you, so that you will call US for
your next plumbing project. We always keep our prices competitive, so
give us a call today.

GIVE US A CALL NOW! OUR QUALITY STAFF
WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS!

http://www.rollandreashplumbing.com

Anonymous said...

You identify, people always make comments when anything is predicted to prove in 2012, like “fairly that is if the faction is hush here.” You do achieve that the Mayans prognosticate the humanity will end on Dec. 21 (or 23rd)? So in all strong if anything is accepted to encounter in 2012 there is only the slimmest chance that the everybody will secure ended before it happens.
[url=http://2012earth.net
]earth 2012
[/url] - some truth about 2012

Anonymous said...

car insurance nova scotia
memphis car audio refurb
auto accident lawyers long island
auto dealership greenwich
electric car motors for cars
sql create table with auto incrementer
bel aire auto auction
gestalt laws used in car design

Anonymous said...

http://akudeye.freehostia.com/ adult web page
http://ebecuji.freehostia.com/ adult xxx ecards
http://hicuxahi.freehostia.com/ real adult amateur pics
http://hofavut.freehostia.com/ free cam adult amateur chat
http://jahafero.freehostia.com/ is nick cannon dating christina milian
http://nidomuf.freehostia.com/ adult stores shreveport la
http://nifuqes.freehostia.com/ professional dating uk
http://sozenag.freehostia.com/ sex adult you tube
http://viruhoko.freehostia.com/ parenting advice young adult
http://zijijika.freehostia.com/ calabasis adult entertainment