Movie Review: Thug Life
Rangaraya Sakthivel ( Kamal Haasan) seems to have a constant tryst with death, right from his early days. As life takes him on a violent path of a don, his encounters with near death only increase. A betrayal by another criminal lord leads to him fleeing for his life in a police shoot out, along with Manickam ( Nasser). The bullet ridden chaotic path brings him across Amaran, an orphan, whom he then brings up like a family member.
Fate however has other things in store. When he grows up, Amaran (Silambarasan), the very person he had entrusted the care of his criminal empire and family with, becomes a force to reckon with, after Sakthivel's return from a prison sentence. What has caused this turn-around? Who is behind all this? Are the revenge-seeking schemers and Amaran able to succeed in their mission to dethrone Sakthivel?
On the technical front, the film, an action, gangster drama, has some fantastic visuals, from the camerawork of ace veteran Ravi K Chandran, who fills the screen with his brilliance from time to time. AR Rahman's songs, have already set a palpable vibe before release but the back ground score feels less satisfying in various places. Anbariv, the stunt choreographer duo, put together several entralling action blocks.
The scenes in the period setting, have many emotional moments that tug at the heartstrings, but as the movie proceeds, the focus seems to shift to a more fast -paced action, with lesser breathing room for an emotional connect with characters.
Abhirami as Sakthivel's wife, leaves a mark as does Trisha, with her sultry presence as Indrani, Sakthivel's lover, but her role seems underwritten in the film. Aishwarya Lekshmi too delivers a solid act. Mime Gopi, Bagvathy Perumal, Ashok Selvan, Nasser, Ali Fazal and several others make up the well chosen cast.
The legend Kamal Haasan delivers yet another fiery, powerhouse performance, bringing to life every aspect of his character, in the typical histronic style that he is famed for. Silambarasan, the charismatic performer that he is, delivers a finely honed intense act in the role he is accorded.
With veteran technicians, and a powerhouse performances, Thug Life draws you into the world of its gangsters, and their angst ridden lives, but how immersively so and how emotionally connected you feel, may differ for many.
Director : Mani Ratnam
Music : AR Rahman
Camera : Ravi K Chandran
