VIRUMAANDI (/5)
	: Kamal & Abirami
	Music: Illayaraja
	Direction: Kamal
Remark: Kamal at his best

Out of this world movie. Can anyone else direct such a flawless movie? A question for which there may not be many answers. Amazing film and a must watch (though there is some bit of commercial violence and a couple of kissing scenes….which I would term absolutely essential). The crux of the movie is on abolishing death penalty for any crime. The film strongly that no force on earth, has the right to end a life, forcefully. There have been very few movies in the international arena which have used flashback technique to narrate a movie in style (MEMENTO is one such movie which movies flash back and flash forward effectively). Virumandi's life is taken as a classic example to illustrate the director’s stand point. By discussing the story and the double narration techniques, we would be doing gross injustice to excellent efforts of Kamal and hence this review will talk nothing on the story. Kamal plays the lead role, Virumandi. The efforts taken to shape his body, his role and in speaking the south tamil slang need special mention. Not ignoring the care taken to ensure that there are no gaps. The scene in second reel when the camera is focused on the floor and a hand checking for the missing cap is a fine example to the minutest detail which the director kamal has addressed. In double narration…the camera angles change!....and so does Illayaraja’s background score!! Pasupathy in his role of Kothala Thevan steals the show. Beautiful Abirami has portrayed her extremely difficult role with ease. Rohini, Nasser, Napolean all have a significant role. The cinematography is excellent especially in the Jallikattu scene, the moon light song and the final jail sequences. Starting the movie as a documentary playback in 35mm and then widening the narration to cinemascope is another brilliant technique (Should I also talk about the impressive title card too). Due to some unwanted political interferences the movie had to be shot entirely indoor with sets and hence the art director Prabhakar needs to be handed a golden boquet. Kamal’s acting in every single frame has been brilliant. The scene when his grandmom dies is the proof of the pudding. Illayaraja at his musical best. There are 9 songs and one does not realize it because it blends so well with the movie. The song "Unnai Vidda" is a classical melody and combined with the picturization is a delight to watch. Raja’s BGM as always lifts the movie to a different plane. The movie gives a refreshing feeling (Such movies do not come often). The climax is a bit long (Movie is 3hr and 15 minutes) and is cinematic with violence (but one makes movies to earn money too). The movie reflects the life of an innocent village youth. Virumandi, is a different effort, which needs to be supported and appreciated.

- Gokul Santhanam & Prem Anand S