Oct 27 2011
7aum Arivu
The last time A.R.Murugadoss and Suriya teamed up, they gave us Ghajini, a thriller that borrowed its concept from Memento. The two have come together again for 7aum Arivu and this time they have an original concept that unfolds on a bigger canvas. The storyline and the backdrop help initially but the predictable storyline and lack of excitement pull it down later.
A short prologue tell us why Bodhidharman(Suriya), a prince from the Pallava dynasty, is still revered as a God in China. The action then moves forward 1600 years to the present-day where Arvind(Suriya), a circus artist, falls in love with Subha(Shruti Haasan), a genetics engineering student. But Arvind soon learns that Subha’s interest in him is non-romantic and he is simply the human subject in her research. Meanwhile, the Chinese goverment has planned an operation to destabilize India and sends Dong Lee(Johnny Tri Nguyen), a scientist/martial arts expert, to kill Subha since her research will destroy their plan.
With its period film start, link between past and present, reliance on science and the nature of its crisis, 7aum Arivu reminds us quite a bit of Kamal’s Dasaavathaaram. But strangely, there’s another, much older Kamal film that I was also reminded of – Kalyanaraman. Thats the one where Kamal hero played twin brothers who are unaware of one another but eventually connect when one dies and ends up helping the other. Murugadoss takes this basic storyline and updates it with history, science and technology to give us 7aum Arivu.
7aum Arivu’s brief excursion to the past opens the film on a high note. Though the documentary-style intrusions feel unnecessary, the interesting central character, high drama, good action and lush landscapes give the segment an epic feel. The rest of the film, no matter how hard it tries, doesn’t live up to this start.
Murugadoss gave us utterly charming romances in Dheena and Ghajini. The one-sided nature of the Suriya-Shruti romance here prevents it from possessing the same charm but there are a few short, sweet nuggets(the scene where he offers her a lift and the one where she walks in on his dealing with a beggarwoman are a couple) hidden in their interactions. But the need to continue the romance even after the main plot takes centerstage is ill-advised and leads to completely awkward scenes like the one at the busstand that do little more than serve as a lead-in to a song sequence.
Once we know what Shruti’s research is all about, the movie becomes completely predictable right down to what will happen in the climax. Johnny Tri Nguyen makes a formidable bad guy and his power of hypnotism adds a new dimension to his villainy, introducing something new into the action sequences, even when they are over-the-top, like the one on the street. But there are no twists or surprises along the way. Though Shruti and her friends have a lot of ideas and plans, the 12-day experimentation phase feels like filler. So there are crises, chases and fights but the proceedings feel flat without any high points.
As Nguyen closes in on Suriya and Shruti, there is a moment where he realizes that his key power doesn’t work on Suriya. That is a truly effective and crowd-pleasing scene that elicits a spontaneous cheer from us. The climax should’ve done more of this but is a letdown. Partly because it is predictable, partly because the final payoff is too short and partly because of the way it is picturized, it doesn’t provide the rush that it should have.
The film’s take on genetic engineering is rather superficial but barring a few cases(Shruti’s research lab is one. What exactly would she learn from pasting Suriya’s head on the chart of a human body?!), the conversations don’t sound silly or amateurish as a good balance has been stuck between drowning the film in technical terms and dumbing it down so it can be understood by everybody. The film also veers close to being jingoistic about Tamil and its history. While the crew’s passion is evident, this doesn’t blend in too well since it is presented quite amateurishly.
Suriya fits the Bodhidharman role and has the eyes to convey both the softer and the ferocious sides of the man. In the present he is almost a supporting character for the most part as Shruti and Nguyen drive the plot forward. It is disappointing that his role as a circus artist is wasted since neither his skills nor the circus setting is employed in any manner but he is convincing executing the martial arts movies. Shruti is lucky to get such a meaty role on her debut. Her accent is a little distracting but she carries off the important scenes(like her confession to Suriya or her outburst at the conference) well. Johnny Tri Nguyen is truly a lean, mean killing machine. He proves that a simple smirk can convey menace very well and his martial arts skills make his fights really deadly.
Rise of Damo… works very well as it launches after a rather emotional and key moment. Oh Ringa Ringa… impresses with its scale and logistics as Suriya dances with a huge group of dancers in some crowded areas. Yamma Yamma… belongs to the dying breed of pathos numbers that describe love failure but the cinematography and the locations do make us sit through it without getting restless. The same cannot be said about the duets Mun Andhi… and Yellelama… though since the pedestrian picturization only emphasizes the fact that they are completely unnecessary. Both the tune and the picturization of Ennenna Seidhom… could’ve used a bit more fire. Ravi.K.Chandran’s cinematography is unobtrusive most of the time, calling attention to itself only indoors, in particular, inside the genetics lab.
19 responses so far
Evlo natchiram??
2.5*?
Sometimes people get carried away by history that it becomes very difficult for them to make it relevant to the present. There are very few films that have drawn a strong and entertaining connection to the past and present. While Murugadoss chose Bodhidharmar as his pivotal role, he should have taken care not to get distracted by other elements. Thank god Shruthi dubbed for herself, otherwise the whole movie is about Tamil and its highness and the main star cast can’t speak a word of it. How ironical would that have been?
A short prologue tell us why Bodhidharman(Suriya), a prince from the Pallava dynasty, is still revered as a God in China.
Revered as a God? He is revered as a monk. No mention of Buddhism anywhere in your review makes me wonder what the treatment is like.
Surya’s styling is so horrible in the photo, is it typical of the movie?
Looks like we agree on most of the pluses and minuses.
I definitely enjoyed it a lot more though. I felt that the message was pertinent in the modern world though it wasn’t exactly delivered in the best manner. There were numerous sequences (the presentation, the hospital scene, and the climax) where I was on my feet and shouting at the screen. Songs and Romance were the two biggest letdowns for me, maybe because I expected too much since they were pretty much the lynchpins for Ghajini’s success.
I am planning to see it once more next week. The crowd I saw it with this time was absolutely disgusting, especially the set of people sitting right next to me, constantly jeering at the screen. I found it surprising given I am in Dubai right now. While it was OK in the funnier sequences (1st half), they continued right throughout the 2nd half when the story got serious. It ruined the experience for me altogether.
I am guessing this a 2* from the review. For me, it would normally be a 2.5*, but the effort gone into it in order to differentiate it from the usual Tamil film with a big star means I am veering towards a 3*.
If I were a Ghajini, this movie would’ve worked wonders as a masala
). The over-intrusion of songs and dumbing down of research & science related scenes were other downers, as pointed rightly.
).
There are just too many previous movie reminders that spoil this movie. First is Dasavatharam – the vial, foreign villain etc. Next is Ee, again biowar. Then its Ghajini itself – a research student zeroing on her subject, the hero. The “Yamma yamma” song sequence successfully reminds of two movies – “Aboorva sagodharargal” and “anjalai” song from Vaaranam aayiram (the former due to the unwanted circus settings and the second due to the hero). “Tamil Vaazhga” scenes reminded of “Ramana”.(Didn’t get reminded of “Kalyanaraman” though
The bodhidharman sequences stood out for sure. Worth an hour-and-half movie in itself with a more leisurely story-telling. Made me google for bodhidharman.
Technically the movie was good with average music and below average special effects in quite a few places(the chase sequence in second half was hilarious).
Murugadoss has to become a Ghajini before he starts his next movie. (otherwise, his previous movies will continue to haunt his present movies
Watched it on 25th at Rohini. The audio quality was pathetic but the excitement of watching a day before its release made up for it.
Cant disagree with anything you have said. I did like the movie though. Preachy but touched a chord somewhere (especially the last interview about teaching youngsters the science behind everything we do and how other countries have patented what has been known in India for 1000’s of years).
What bugged me was the fact that simply “triggering” the DNA in someone does not automatically make them instantly adept at acquired skills (martial arts, medicine). It might make them capable, not knowledgeable, even given Surya was a circus artist. Something to strengthen this side would have really helped. Hell, I wouldn’t mind a good fight sequence in the name of love! A scene where he goes to save another circus employee became part of a song which made it completely useless. Some scene where he helps someone with some “muligai” to cure a fever or cold or something (as cheesy as it sounds but i am sure some thought process would have aided them with pulling it off, medical college dropout, for example!) would have probably helped.
Overall a very decent attempt. Just the noble thought behind the movie made me give it a absolute pass-mark
.
Digressing:
This will be one of those movies that I will skip. Hate the whole artificial and unnecessary ways that the cinema industry provokes Tamil sentiments.
Comments on twitter about how ‘all Tamils should be proud’ etc, is just nauseating…
Dear “Thamilars” of cinema and political industry, please have mercy on “Thamizhars”.
On the other hand, BB, I definitely recommend two Telugu films. Dhookudu and Oosaravelli. The former was a good masala film while with the latter, I enjoyed the story and screenplay. Both of course, have their minuses.
On the other extreme, apparently, if you write for English newspapers and websites(commercial), you are considered reputed and so your review is more credible.!
They ripped off 7am Arivu. Three quarters of these writers are non-Tamilians. It’s probably like asking a Francophone to watch Hum Aapke Hai Haun and feel some attachment to it.:-)
And these outlets are raving about Velayudham….
Never thought I would see a day when the same English newspapers that ‘dumb-down’ Sambar Vijay, hold him high!
Saw Velayudham. And it is a good entertainer in the Sivakasi mould.
Balaji,
this had the potential to be a great film but ended up this just about avg level due to some uninspiring writing from Murugadoss……….what to say?!! sad to see that this movie disappoints………
As far as Velayudam is considered, I don’t know why people call this a “good entertainer”, when in reality after 1/3 of the movie it’s so boring, predictable, irritating and stupid —- gave me such a headache………..horrible…….so horrible……..
All the movies at this Deepavali sucked BIG time
………..
Where i watched the movie, people started clapping after the scene where Shruti Hassan scolds her professors for not appreciating tamils and the language itself. it was a nice moment.
other than that, i felt the movie was enjoyable. something different and that is always applaudable.
Krithika/RS, 2.5 stars.
Meera, I felt Murugadoss did a pretty good job of connecting the past & the present. The the other elements, esp. the romance, just felt unnecessary. As for Shruti, that was exactly what I felt when she was lauding Tamil!
killer, they showed big statues of Bodhidharma & people lighting incense sticks and praying before them. So I thought he was a monk but was revered as a God.
And yes, that is Suriya’s hairstyle in the film.
Balaji, yeah the songs and the romance were huge letdowns since the film was from Murugadoss. The damaged the pace of the movie quite a bit.
bart, interesting way of bringing in Ghajini there
The climax where Suriya suddenly got those powers he didn’t have before made me think of Kalyanaraman immediately. I think I was the only one though!
Harish, actually I was thinking the same but not for the DNA. I was wondering how hypnotism could make someone a martial arts experts. I know hypnotism can make us do things against our will but can it really make us do something about which we have no idea?
kajan, the movie does make a few good & interesting points about Tamil. It just puts them across with no subtlety whatsoever.
I do plan to see Dookudu since I’ve heard some good things about it. First time I’m hearing a recommendation for Oosaravelli though.
venkit, I thot Velayudham was in the Thiruppaachi mould. But wouldn’t go as far as calling it a good entertainer.
apala, I didn’t think 7aam Arivu or even Velayudham sucked BIG time
but both could’ve definitely been better.
Poonam, yes, the film tried something different and that earns some brownie points even if the execution wasn’t up to the mark.
It seems to have shades of Ennakkul Oruvan – another one of Kamal’s 80s masala caper where some sort of a re-incarnated Kamal avows revenge on the merciless killing of a “nepalese” Kamal by Satyaraj and his motley goons – details of which are difficult to explain (!).
Not sure if it was a big hit but it sure seems to have “inspired” 7-aam Arivu … I suspect.
Saw this yesterday. A huge let down, except for the camera and stunts. Don’t recall who the stunt guy was. Some of those were over the top, but hey, I am one who sits thru John Wu movies with equally over the top stunts. I didn’t greatly see the effect of the genes of Kamal and/or Sarika in Shriti. But prepared to wait for her next movie.
I have not seen Thirupachi. We loved Sivakasi but couldn’t stand Pokkiri and Sura. I thought Velayudham was entertaining and could have been made better with a little more editing. Look forward to your review.
Mani,
You made me laugh! But, you’re right about the similarities, except that was spiritual
and this is scientific
I liked the movie but definitely could have been better. I don’t know why there are so many good reviews about Dookudu as I found it very boring and substandard movie. The bad guy in the movie played by Sonu Sood was one of the most stupidest characters I have seen in a movie, can’t believe that cops around the world were shown struggling to catch him. When he first meets Mahesh Babu, he keeps complimenting his looks and by the time he finishes Mahesh saves the guy who was held captive with him.
Ooseravelli was definitely better than Dookudu but only by a small margin.
Balaji,
I said, 7-m aRivu sucked “big time” because it was so dull……….it wants you to take it very seriously and then serves you with this soul-less fiasco……..I like Surya very much and that’s why I could not enjoy this so much………I think Singam was far more entertaining because it was very clear of it’s target and it was bang on!
I know that the effort should be appreciated but the middle portion was so dull and uninspiring that I could not say it was enjoyable on the whole and but just sucked!!
Vijay should move out of Chennai if he has so much against the city……..from Tirupachchi to Velayudham, in most of his movies all the bad guys are in Chennai and all the bad things happen in chennai and it’s not a safe living place for his sisters or “common folks” like himself……..why stay in such a terrible city??? May be, he should go somewhere else, my humble advice!
bb, read somewhere in facebook that Bodhidharmar was born in Guntur in Telugu version and somewhere in Maharashtra in the Hindi version of 7-am arivu
so much for talking about Tamil in the Tamil version !!
apala, this city-hate has been a formula with so many gramam-pattanam movies over the last 50 years of Tamil Cinema. ‘parappa pazhaniappa pattanamaam pattanamaam..’ immediately comes to mind !! and that city-hate sells well in movies too. Vijay is no newbie to this.
LA and NYC have been the city of choice for all Hollywood disaster movies, so what ? no filmmaker or citizen no longer lives there ? You are taking movies too seriously