‘Penguin’ disappoints despite Keerthy Suresh’s splendid performance

By Mythily Ramachandran

The opening scene sets the mood for a thriller about a missing child and the scenes that follow are promising, but midway ‘Penguin’ gets grounded with an unconvincing plot and several loose ends hanging.

Championing the cause of child sexual abuse seems to have become a trend in Tamil cinema today. There is nothing wrong about it, if only film-makers had an engaging story that educates children on potential abusers and self-protection while guiding parents on being open and accessible to their little ones.

Keerthy Suresh leads this emotional thriller

Written and directed by debutant Eashvar Karthic, ‘Penguin’ becomes more a film about glorifying gore and personality disorder while taking refuge in lauding motherhood.

Rhythm- (Keerthy Suresh) -a mother who cannot get over the loss of her son Ajay-is pregnant with her second child thus making her vulnerable enough to hook onto viewers emotions.  And, she does not hesitate to put herself in the most dangerous situations.

Suresh makes her Rhythm endearing. Some of her scenes are unforgettable-the one in a hospital where she plays with a little girl is beautifully captured. Intense is her performance in the scene where Rhythm reunites with her son. Despite the hard work Suresh puts in and reiterating the wonderful performer she is, ‘Penguin’ disappoints.

With the exception of Linga-who plays Raghu, Rhythm’s former husband- the rest of the supporting actors carry a wooden expression. 

Linga plays Raghu, Rhythm's former husband

The writing suffers. There are several loose ends. Rhythm’s relationship with husband Gautham is little explored. 

What about Ajay’s trauma? For one who has been away from home and family for six years, it is touched perfunctorily. 

Fighting one antagonist is not enough for this mother. Neither is there a back-story for him and his actions, but  he is portrayed as a maniac with scenes painted in gore and innards. 

And, then comes a second antagonist making ‘Penguin’ an exhaustive exercise.

Karthik Palani’s visuals of Kodaikanal are beautiful-verdant vegetation, misty mornings, rushing rapids, floating clouds and eerie silence of the nights. But beyond the frills ‘Penguin’ fails to take off.