Jun 07 2012
Leelai
Romance in Tamil cinema used to be limited to the villages but we’ve recently had a few films that tackled romance in an urban setting. Leelai is another addition to the list. The single-note storyline causes the film to sag in the middle but the believable characters and natural conversations make it quite engaging on the whole.
After Karthik(Shiv) romances and dumps two of her friends, Karunai Malar(Manasi) has a rather poor opinion of him and a phone conversation further drives a wedge between them. 2 years later, they are working in different departments – and different floors – in the same software firm and when they inadvertently talk on the phone, they pick up right where they left off – with a fight. But when Karthik actually sees Malar, he falls for her and gets close to her by not revealing his identity.
Leelai gets its setting right. Its usually not a big thing but so many movies (Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal is a recent one that comes to mind) have been so utterly unrealistic when portraying the software industry and the people who are part of it that it comes as a relief that the characters and the backdrop in Leelai are rendered well. The characters behave and talk like those in the software industry with English being employed correctly and naturally – again, a rarity. The film doesn’t focus on the workplace much but the little it does show looks right also.
The romance between Shiv and Manasi is developed believably. There isn’t anything particularly sweet or interesting about it but the fact that there is a big lie in the background keeps us hooked. There are times when Shiv’s behavior makes us wonder if he is serious about the romance and that adds something interesting to the mix too.
But the more interesting relationship is the friendship between Shiv and Suhasini Raju, which is one of the more convincing platonic relationships I remember seeing in Tamil cinema. As a common friend to both Shiv and Manasi she struggles between trusting Shiv and his love for Manasi and making sure that Manasi is not hurt. Her conversations with Shiv about revealing his duplicity to Manasi are very nicely written.
Whenever the viewer is aware of something that one or more characters onscreen is unaware of, the suspense is always about when the issue will come out into the open and what repercussions it will have. That is the case in Leelai as Shiv hides from Manasi who he really is. This is fun the first few times as the romance between the two is developed. But once they fall in love, the question becomes when Manasi will know the truth and the movie drags this phase out for too long. The only advantage of this portion being long is evident later since the climax is short and sweet.
Shiv and Manasi do a great job, especially considering they are debutants. They are both very natural in front of the camera and fit their roles perfectly. Suhasini Raju seems a bit stiff initially but comes into her own as the movie progresses and is great in the scenes where she questions Shiv. Santhanam feels like he was forcefully thrust into the movie and that makes his few jokes less funny. The soundtrack is predominantly melodious and suits the youthful and romantic tone of the movie.
13 responses so far
Seemed like a more convincing version of Unnale Unnale to me, definitely fresh and welcome!
Did you notice that the music room scene is lifted from Before Sunrise (one of the highlights in BS).
Leelai is a nice movie & I absolutely loved it. On a side note, here’s Viswaroopam’s story
Vishwaroopam is the story of an American Desi Couple Vishwa(nath) and Roopa(Nirupama). Vishwanath alias Wiz is a Kathak exponent and Married to Nirupama. Both have an agenda and seem to have achieved their wishes in three years of matrimony. Nirupama gets her Phd and Wiz runs his dance class in New Jersey unhindered by each other. All is fine till Dr. Nirupama aspires for more and wants to opt out of the arranged marriage.
She cannot cite any specific reason to leave Wiz as there is nothing much to complain about him. Every male according to Nirupama must have a flaw . So she decides to find out something about him to feel better about her decision to part . She hires a detective to rake up something on him. Wires gets cross connected and all hell breaks loose. The sequences forms the rest of the story.
Komala
I hate to say this, but the “Vishwaroopam” gave me a Dasavatharam-like vibe…let’s hope it’s something more like Hey Raam or even Vettaiyadu Vilayadu rather than just an exercise in self-indulgence
*”Vishwapooram” trailer
I loved Leelai. It reminded me a lot of “you’ve Got mail” with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.. The climax is lifted straight out of that movie too.. Anyway, good clean urban romance! I liked it.. The hero was a hunk!
Thanks for the review BB. Seems like a passable movie to me. Initially, I thought it might be like Tamil version of Harry met Sally. But after reading the rest of the story-line it is the usual run of the mill. I am not a huge fan of love at first sight romances. The fact is that every other Tamil movie has this basis for all it’s romances. That is just disappointing. But at least they put a bit more thought into the friendship. I guess we have that to be thankful for.
…….., Aalavandhaan, Dasaavathaaram, Vishwaroopam,?
In the evolutionary scheme of things, it would now be difficult even for an indulgent UlagaNayagan to conjure something out-of-the-world given how fast he has expanded his Universe… Some consolation.
kuttybear,
i agree with you about the whole “love at first sight” thing…a tamil movie which i thought succesfully avoided that trap was “Vettaiyadu Vilayadu”!…especially interesting b/c it’s a serial killer movie haha
Like any other Kamal film, Vishwaroopam might cater only to A-Center/urban audience & fail miserably at B & C centers. Only movies with crass comedy like OKOK, kalakalappu will become hit there.
Komala
Komala,
you gotta admit that the man produces duds here and there..such as Dasavatharam
Rajaram, yep definitely welcome.
avanthika, I thought the scene looked familiar but couldn’t place where I’d seen it b4. Thanx!
komala, yes it was a nice movie though I can’t say I loved it. The middle portions could’ve used some work.
Krithika, hmmm I wasn’t reminded of ‘You’ve Got Mail’ at any point though the basic idea does seem to be the same in both.
kuttybear, yes this too had the same ‘love at first sight’ but I was just happy that they developed it well in an urban scenario. That’s the movie’s biggest plus.
Vimal, Agreed but I feel M.Ambu was a disaster across the board.
Komala