Movie Review : Parachute
Rudra and Varun are the kids of Shanmugam, a gas cylinder delivery man (Kishore). He is very strict with Varun, beating him with a stick for any mistake to the extent that the child is extremely scared of him. Shanmugam believes that such discipline is good for kids ,to make them more responsible in future.
One day the 2 children go missing. The parents lodge a complaint with the cops. Kirupa ( Krishna) a senior traffic cop gets involved with their case while on the hunt for a stolen bike. The situation becomes more tense since Kiruipa and Shanmugam already have had a spat earlier.
Where are the children? Do the parents find them? Does the police help?
The film is a beautiful canvas of suspense, emotions, family relationships, social hierarchies, parent-child dynamics, and a mirror to society on thought provoking issues.
The plot is well fleshed out and the non -linear screenplay ( though requiring full concentration), adds to the elements of uncertainty and suspense which keeps the viewer invested in the story.
The characters have been well fleshed out right from the cops, to the parents, villains, neighbours and kids, giving you a peek into their mindset and possible reasons for their behaviour.
The locations and settings all add to create a certain atmosphere which adds to the film.
The sound department deserves special mention, for nowhere are the voices or sounds shrill or jarring. The quiet yet assertive manner in which the characters speak is well modulated and creates more of an impact.
The camerawork is superb while Yuvan's 3 songs invoke various emotions befitting the story. The bgm is never overpowactering to distract.
The actors have done a splendid job. Kishore as the frustrated, strict dad delivers a superbly nuanced and layered performance. His emotional act in the climax scene drives home the message of the story most credibly.
Kani Thiru debuting, as his wife delivers a solid and genuine performance while Krishna who has also produced the film, delivers a finely honed, dignified act of a cop very much in charge and yet battling with turmoils of own within.
Child actors Iyal and Shakthi Rithvik, the backbone of the series, deliver a stupendous performance, their innocence,, fear, caring and sibling love is superbly brought out by the talented duo
There are several scenes that create am impact and linger long after, like Kishores scenes with his son, the trauma of a mother searching for her kids, fearful of her husband's reaction, the riot scenes, the various acts of the children as they move from place to place, the major one between Krishna and Kishore and inherant humor in the scenes between the villains. The elephant scene is another impactful one.
The highlight of the series is that it never seeks to impose, nor preach, but gently but surely takes the viewer through an emotional journey peeking into the lives of the characters, and through them learning many life lessons along the way, be it on parenting, husband-wife relationships or the beauty of unity in diversity.
Rating 4/5
*Disney+ Hotstar Presents Hotstar Specials "Parachute" Cast & Crew Details*
Director - Rasu Ranjith
Produced by - Tribal Horse Entertainment
Music Director - Yuvan Shankar Raja
Writer- Sridhar K
DOP- Om Narayan
Editor - Richard Kevin
Art Director - Remiyan
Stunt- Danger Mani
Starring:
Kishore as Shanmugam
Krishna Kulasekaran as Kiruba
Kani as Lakshmi
Kaali Venkat as Charles
Iyal as Rudra
Shakthi as Varun
Bava Chelladurai
Sharanya Ramachandran
