Film Starts with a Flashback story narrated by Kathir (RJ Balaji) who is recording his suicide video, he starts from his childhood days when he was inspired by the local barber whom he calls Chacha (Lal) and how he and his friend Basheer (Kishen Das) loved him as a mentor. Kathir goes one step more and has a passion for becoming a Hair stylist one day. As he finishes college he joins small Salons and creates his own name in one of biggest salon franchise. But owning a Salon is his biggest dream and when finally reaches that ambition he faces multiple hurdles which pushes him to this moment of suicide. will Kathir ever overcome all his hurdles to achieve his dream is the rest of the story.
Director Gokul his well known for is comedy thru his previous films and doesn’t let us down in this feature too. Singapore saloon starts slow but builds a solid foundation in the first half. The second half mix of comedy and heavy melodrama which could have been reduced. RJ Balaji commits to the character and performs well; the best and overacted character has to be Satyaraj who comes as Kathir’s father in law. Lal’s character forms the base for the story and he does his best in his little screen time. Rest of the cast are just fine and add to the story. Gokul’s magic shines here and there and keeps us engaged till the end. Singapore saloon in watchable. I give it 5/10
The movie starts with a flash back showing young Ramanna (Mahesh Babu) being abandoned by his Mother Vyra Vasundara (Ramya krishnan) as his father Sathyam (Jayaram) getting accused of murder. Vasundara goes back to her father a senior politician and joins politics. Ramanna grows in his paternal house groomed by his Aunt and Uncle. Years pass by and Vasundara becomes the Law minister. When her past concerning her son his dragged to defame her by political enemies, Vasundara’s Father Venkata Swamy (Prakash Raj) seeks Ramana’s signature on an agreement, severing all ties with his mother. Which allows Vasundhara’s son from her second marriage to inherit her political legacy. But Ramanna wants a answer and reason of his abandoning from her mother. This creates tension between them and their egos clash starting war between them. How this ends is the rest of the story.
Trivikram known for his block busters with various lead actors, directs Mahesh babu for a roller coaster ride of emotions in this action drama. Mahesh babu tries very hard in this predictable and slow-paced script to take control, but fails miserably. The huge support cast too fails to perform in this lengthy drama with a weak screenplay. Sreeleela shows her dancing skills but her chemistry with Mahesh Babu fails to impress. Guntur Kaaram ends up Spice less . I give it 2/10
Mission starts off with showing a terrorist outfit in Kashmir is planning an attack in Indian soil lead by antagonist played by Bharat Bopanna. Parallelly we show Sana a child in need of a critical surgery which has to be done in London Hospital. Her father Guna( Arun Vijay) pawns all of his wealth for the surgery expense. Unable to get the bank transfer in time, he opts for a illegal Hawala route to transfer the money. When he reaches London in a chain of events he gets arrested for assaulting a police officer and put into a high security prison. In prison Guna finds himself surrounded by new threats which connects into his past. How he manages to overcome these threats and save his daughter in time is the rest of the story.
Director AL Vijay, who is known to base his stories on emotional and parental bonds, tries to showcase the same between Guna and Sana in the Action drama. Though the story starts promising, but slows down and picks up speed at the end of the first half. Arun Vijay delivers in his character and in the action sequences. The movie’s drawback is its screenplay which is very predictable fails to keep the audience engaged throughout the movie running time which should have been reduced by at least 20mins. Nimisha Sajayan plays to her character, while Amy Jackson proves to be a disaster in her character and performance. Cinematography by Sandeep K Vijay , BGM and Action Sequences keep you awake through this very slow paced action drama. Mission gets only 4/10
The story is set in the pre-independence Era, where British ruled the India via kings and village heads. Eesaa alias Analeesan (Dhanush) lives in one of the villages where they had built a huge temple for lord Shiva. But since they are treated as an oppressed by the ruling king and they are not allowed to enter. Eesaa’s brother Sengolan (Shivraj Kumar) is a freedom fighter and wants Eesaa to join him. Having lost his mother due to the cruelties perpetrated by the rulers, Easa decides to enlist in the military, aiming to gain respect and freedom. He believed that being a slave to the British is better than humiliated by his own. But tragedy strikes as his regime is taken to kill his own countrymen. Eesaa flees and the army burdened with guilt. Outcasted in his own village, Eesaa wanders as a lone wolf as a vigilante who kills British officers and takes the title of Captain Miller. He then joins a dacoit gang and becomes a wanted man under the British radar. As time flows he is called by the king of his village to save the temple and help regain a lost treasure. Is this trap to capture Eesaa? How Eesaa saves his village and himself is the rest of the story.
With the runtime of 158mins Captain Miller has several placid moments which you have pass on to truly enjoy the rest of the film. It all about Dhanush and his screen presence in the film which elevates this period action drama. the story is unveiling itself as chapters from the character point of view which makes it unique. Arun Matheshwaran’s script meanders slow here and there but tries to keep audience alert by stunning action scenes. Cast was well chosen alongside Dhanush and strengthens the story. Shiva Rajkumar, Priyanka Arul Mohan have a decent sceen time, but sundeep kishan is left with barely a few scenes. Kaali Venkat & Elango Kumaravel perfom well and have a good screen time alongside Dhanush. Cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni & music by GV Prakash adds value to the movie. Captain Miller is a good action drama and gets 6/10
Mathew Devassy (Mammootty), a much-respected man in a close-knit community, Mathew’s family is small, consists of his wife Omana (Jyotika), his daughter Femi (Anaga akku) and his aged Father played by RS Panicker. As a member of the local political party, he is named as a contestant in the upcoming local body elections. Though hesitant at first, he agrees to it since his party members feel they can win as is father also was one of the prominent members of the community and the party. Just after he accepts to contest, he gets a know that Oman has filed for divorce and the reason behind this divorce becomes the talk of the town, what happens in the lives of this small family, and how this transpires among this small community is the rest of the story.
Jeo Baby’s “Kaathal-the core is indeed a bold attempt in association with one sexual preference. The Story takes you through this story not just in one perspective but cover all angles and but tries to open this subject subtly to the society which tries to cover the same as abnormal. Mammooty Shines in this emotional ride and Jyotika shares equal screen presence in this film in performance and in the character. The leading cast’s subtle expressions and poetic silence unfolds many statements which can’t be expressed thru words, this was captures and presented well by Cinematographer Salu K Thomas and Editor Francies Louis. The rest of the cast meticulously chosen for this story performs well in this bold and progressive film. Missed it on theater and saw the OTT release in Amazon Prime. I give it 8/10
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