319. Super Deluxe; movie review

SUPER DELUXE
Cert 15
176 mins
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, strong sexual threat

Blimey, that was very different from any Indian movie I have seen over the past eight years of the everyfilm quest.
For the past few months, one of the greatest supporters of my movie-chasing has been prompting me to immerse myself in Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Super Deluxe.
The wrong has been righted, thanks to Netflix.
This is made up of three very unlikely parallel stories which are all engaging and quirky in their own ways and overlap in very unexpected ways..
One stars Samantha Akkineni who tries to fill the gap of a loveless marriage by having a bit of rumpy-pumpy with a former college sweetheart.
The fall-out from this is both very surprising and partially hilarious.
The second strand stars Vijay Sethupathi as a transgender woman who is returning to his wife (Gayathrie), child and family after a long absence.
Her appearance in flamboyant dress causes a stir but nothing compared to the reaction when she goes out into the world.
Discrimination is the clear plank of this storyline and she experiences it on many levels.
Meanwhile, four young lads get in a bit deep when they go in search of money from a local crime lord after one sees his mum in a porn film and smashes a television set in rage.
Super Deluxe tries to cover many bases but manages to keep the audience on its toes at the same time.
So, corruption in the police and religion also come in for a beating, albeit from very unusual angles.
There is greater ambition than many regional Indian films but it is much to Kumararaja's credit that he meets its, never letting up on its intensity.
Sethupathi is the obvious stand-out cast member but I should also highlight Fahadh Faasil whose push-me-pull-you double-header with Akkineni is the backbone of the movie.
Super Deluxe is a riot of colour. It will not be forgotten in a hurry and I am thankful for the recommendation.

Reasons to watch: Unlike any other Indian film - pushing so many boundaries
Reasons to avoid: Jumps around a tad too much

Laughs: Three and chuckles
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8.5/10

Did you know? Super Deluxe was was banned in Malaysia by the country's Film Censorship Board due to the sensitive and mature content in the film.

Final word. Thiagarajan Kumararaja: “If there is a flaw or weak link in this film, it is me. Everyone on the cast took their roles quite seriously. Not that we did not have fun, but they all realised that they should do their best, and they did.” The Hindu

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