Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya - Not Magical!

Until a few years back, everyone had agreed that No one but Mani Ratnam alone can handle romance with class. Gautham Vasudeva menon has rightfully taken the elite
position with all his movies brimming with the flavour of love. The feeling of love has always been expressed in the most simplest and poetic ways. Its mature, clear, straightforward, patronising and SIMPLE.
If there was one question I had for Gautham, it was, "When will you direct a full fledged romantic movie?" . His movies predominantly pertaining to the action genre, has a significant but comparatively short lived love track. Everyone was ready to experience a bit more of the sweet poison.

Having aroused expectations for years, Gautham comes up with Vinnai Thaandi varuvaaya, starring Simbhu and Trisha to create magic on screen, in which he is at his best!
VTV is a simple love story, involving a complex human being jessie. "I don't know what I really want" says Trisha at one point, and that seems to be the base of the movie. She is classy, beautiful, sexy, simple, so much to let Karthik (Simbhu) fall for her even at the first sight. From then on its a typical love story narrated with beautiful dialogues. Jessie restrains her feelings towards Karthik as they belong to different religions. What follows next is a predictable love story.

Film makers, these days, have decided to strongly establish that the main hindrance for love to be successful is the lovers themselves. We saw that in Unnale Unnale. I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the two movies. Particularly the characterisation of the female lead.
Gautham has chosen to make sure the "Love" remains throughout the movie afresh, though one sided.

The characterisation of Jessie, is confusing and irritating after a point. I beg to analyse this movie as a movie, leaving aside the realities of life and arguments that girls like that do exist!
Its not evident whether love is anywhere present in Jessie's character. Hugging and smooching alone is no love. Its an expression of love. Jessie involves herself in all this and keeps questioning, "Why do you love me?".
Her acceptance of love is made authentically, openly defying her father's fame. That is the moment we feel the real story is on, only to see the same old "It is over" drama.
The goa trip sequence seemed like it was forced into the movie. Certain expressions of Simbhu was incomprehensible.
The movie ends in a dramatic way. Good thinking in bringing the telugu lead pair in the movie.

Simbhu as an aspiring director completely justifies his role. He expresses his love unconditionally and in the most romantic ways possible. His honest efforts to achieve and make a mark is evident in his subtle performance. He looks really good. His dance steps are perfect. I am impressed. Getting right on track. Way to go simbhu!

Trisha! Well well. She walks in almost all the songs, looking beautiful with well designed outfits. A bit of acting would do no harm. Perhaps that is the way she acts. Lets accept it. One scene where she does perform is the one before climax. Again, was it emotional? Not really.
Simbhu and Trisha look comfortable on screen. But the chemistry or whatever, was missing.
Ganesh does a neat job and evokes laughter. How can a famous camera man, who doesn't even seem to own a car, help an Asst director to find his love?

Saving the best for the last. AR Rahman!! This movie will be remembered for its music. Picturisation of the songs are decent. On the down side, Hosanna, Kannukul, manipaya dont fit in exactly. "Omane penne" picturisation needs a special mention.

My review might well have been out of the anger at the characterisation of Jessie. Well, Am Confused!! Things like this do happen in real life. In a movie, watching the same conversations and reactions over and over again becomes tiring.
There are three things that Gautham might have intended.

1. Expecting guys to say "Indha ponnungale epdi dan"
2. Love matters the most in any relationship and it inspires every human being.
3. A simple, feel good love story.

Its a simple story, perhaps too simple that we see in our friend's life. Magical moments are in parts. The film fails to create the magic of love through out. Gautham menon has attempted to portray "Young minds love" for the first time.

It is a nice love story. Definitely not magical!!