66. Veeramae Vaagai Soodum; movie review

 

VEERAMAE VAAGAI SOODUM

Cert 15

165 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, threat

The everyfilm quest is getting serious when I find myself on my own in a screen 50 miles from home, watching a movie which doesn't finish until after midnight.

I am pleased to report, therefore, that my efforts to see Thu Pa Saravana's Tamil-language action crime thriller Veeramae Vaagai Soodum were worthwhile because it had me gripped despite its meagre box office appeal.

This is a vehicle for Vishal. He plays Porus - a wannabe police officer who vows to stand above the corruption which pervades his local force.

Within his criticism of law enforcement is his dad (G. Marimuthu), a weak constable who fails to stand up to bully-boy businessmen and politicians.

Anyway, where he sees injustice our upstanding hero dives in and this applies many fold when it comes to protecting his family.

Thus, when his sister (Raveena Ravias) is persistently bothered by a drunkard lout who demands her love with menaces, Porus puts him in his place.

However, the aggressive suitor refuses to be put off and is even prepared to threaten the girl's life.

This basic storyline becomes woven into those of a rich boy's pursuit of another young woman and the pursuit of power of a ruthless industrialist (Baburaj).

Eventually, tragedy leads Porus in the pursuit of revenge but the denouement is smarter than in many crime thrillers.

Indeed, I was on tenterhooks for much of the second half of the movie and was more than satisfied by its finale.

Meanwhile, Vishal totally convinces as the athletic hero. Indeed, I would be more than happy for him to reprise the role.

Veeramae Vaagai Soodum hasn't received hugely positive reviews. I struggle to fathom why - I thought it was a tense but fun ride,

Reasons to watch: Edgy thriller

Reasons to avoid: Tough violence

Laughs: None

Jumps: One

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? In April 2017, Vishal was elected as President of Tamil Film Producers Council.

The final word. Vishal: "Veeramae Vaagai Soodum will be a film that can be seen by all kinds of audiences. This is a Pandiya Naadu type of film where the protagonist is a middle-class person who gets entangled in a fight that is not his but finds the mettle to come out trumps. It has all the elements required for a successful film." Cinema Express

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