Film: Thanga Magan
Directed by: Velraj
Starring: Dhanush, Samantha, Amy Jackson, Sathish
Ratings: ***
What it's about: When you think of the Velraj-Dhanush-Anirudh combination it is obviously ‘Vellailla Pattadaari’ that you think of. But ‘Thanga Magan’ is a different attempt by the team and one needs to go in with an open mind. In this film, we see a young college-going Dhanush and another more mature one when he gets married. Tamizh (Dhanush) is a middle class college student who like any youngster has his share of beers and crushes. He has loving parents (K S Ravikumar and Radhikaa Sarathkumar) who are more friends to him than disciplinarians. His college days are spent with his close friend (Sathish) and cousin (Adith). When he goes to the temple one day, he sees Hema (Amy Jackson) and romance blossoms. However, there’s a twist in his love story and he ends up getting married to Yamuna (Samantha) and also estranged from his cousin. Like his father, Thamizh joins the Income Tax Department and their ordinary middle class life goes on. And then one day his father commits suicide. What happens in his love life? Why does his father hang himself? What happens to his cousin? That is what rest of the movie is about.
What’s good: The performances by Dhanush, Amy Jackson and Samantha are exceptional. Amy and Samantha are in de-glam roles and their talent shines in this film. Despite not knowing Tamil well, Amy has done a wonderful job with her dialogues and lip-sync. Samantha - as the wife - has given a very subdued and mature performance sans drama. The film works primarily because of their performances and the light moments especially in the first half of the film.
What’s not: The first half of the movie is well-written and the camaraderie between Dhanush and Sathish gives you plenty of funny moments. However, in the second half the tempo slows down and there’s more drama but no strong plot. There is some action thrown in to appease the fans but it’s contrived. Where is the fiery Thamizh who wants to avenge his father’s death? Where is the baddie who evokes that strong emotion?
What to do: Watch the movie for the fine performances by the lead actors.
