Poraali, lacks the punch that Samudrakani and Sasi Kumar have come to be known for
‘Man is a social animal,’ reads the tagline as ‘Poraali’ opens revealing a dark night dominated by sounds of animals. And the narrator states that there is an animal residing within each one of us only waiting to rise at the opportune moment. Coming from the stables of acclaimed actors- directors’ duo Sasi Kumar and Samudrakani, you wait expectantly for the story to unfold. Sadly Poraali disappoints. There is nothing new in the script. The age old vendetta for family property with a scheming step mom out to oust her step son forms the core of the story. Naturally there is enough gore and more. The script meanders aimlessly and when it realizes its futility, it raises its head to offer serious lines on humanity and how we are drifting apart in our quest for material pursuits. The first half of the story entertains as Kumaran and friend Nallavan make an honest living in a city like Chennai. Comedy in the form of Ganja Karuppu has you chucking occasionally. Add slapstick humor for roars. The film turns serious when the two friends are hunted by their villagers who claim they are insane. And viewers walk down memory lane.
PLUS POINTS: Sasi Kumar as the protagonist Kumaran puts in a good performance. Allari Naresh as Nallavan shows potential though at times, he goes overboard. Swati’s versatility comes to the fore once again as a city bred girl. Nivedita on her debut in Kollywood impresses.
MINUS POINTS: A weak script with poor characterization makes Poraali a disappointment. Making the film a typical masala is the group dance to start with soon after the film opens. Sasi Kumar joins the league of super heroes who bash up a multitude of villains with ease. As if all this was not enough, the last scene meant for laughs at Ganja karuppu’s expense mocks at the viewer’s intelligence. Now where did Nallavan’s family spring from?
Even the music failed to linger in the mind.
Even the music failed to linger in the mind.
CAMERAWORK: Kathir has done a good job, be it in capturing the villages and the city cacophony.
VERDICT: ‘Subramaniapuram’ with all its violence had a soul, ‘Nadodigal’ carried a social message, ‘Easan,’ a hard hitting take on the powers to be was honest but ‘Poraali, lacks the stroke that Samudrakani and Sasi Kumar have come to be known for.
