Actor Murali starred in a string of movies where he silently pined for the heroine without actually opening his heart to her. Director Sripathy resurrects the character and the story in Kanimozhi. It has some good ideas, a likeable protagonist, supporting characters we can connect with and an engaging script. But the poor screenplay prevents these things from coming together in an effective way so that movie ends up being less than the sum of its parts.

Rajesh(Jai), who attends film school, dreams of becoming a big director and his family(parents and older brother) love him and are supportive of him. He has long been in love with a girl(Shazahn Padamsee) he sees almost everyday and though the girl seems to like him too, he hasn't built up the courage to talk to her and express his feelings. The girl's friend's brother(Vijay Vasanth) also wants to marry her and is more expressive about his feelings.

When one doesn't get what one wants, the usual reactions are to either try to get it or be sad. Right from his childhood, Jai simply creates a make-believe world where he actually gets what he wants (kinda like what Simbhu did in Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa). This is an interesting characteristic that drives the film but unfortunately, it isn't presented or used very well. As Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa and even an initial scene in this film shows, the tactic can be used to misdirect us successfully. But Kanimozhi doesn't do that since the film reveals its hands too early.

The technique of having Jai and Vijay Vasanth as opposites is handled better though. Though the latter getting everything that the former dreams of having gives us a hint of things to come, later happenings (like the purchase of the chain at the store) muddle things up enough. So there is genuine suspense about who Shazahn is going to end up with, which is exploited well in the scene where she makes the all-important phone call.

Though the film has no real story to speak of, it works because it maintains a natural and realistic touch throughout. This is as much due to the characters as it is to the script they are given. The characters are all down-to-earth and the lines spoken, whether its the gentle ribbing between friends or the conversations between Jai and his family, are very natural. The realistic touch is helped by the film underplaying the emotions so it seems soft throughout. Scenes like Vijay Vasanth not getting the chain he wanted at the store and Jai or his friend clashing with the guys from a different area are never allowed to get loud. It is impressive that this subtlety is maintained even in potentially sentimental scenes(like the key scene at the restaurant) and that scene demonstrates that subtlety could be very effective too.

Jai takes over Murali's trademark role of the guy smitten by the girl but unable to express his love but plays it with less seriousness. He is likeable and does the role with a casualness that fits the movie's natural tone. Shazahn Padamsee reminds us of Laila sometimes but is quite wooden. Thankfully she isn't required to do much. The actor playing Jai's friend Michael is delightful and shows good timing in his offhand comments and jokes. Muzhumadhi... is a melodious, wonderful number and the art director catches the eye with the sets for the song. Yaaro Ival... is a peppy, catchy duet . Thada Thada... has some nice visual tricks but feels a bit too upbeat considering it happens at the point where Jai is waiting for an important phone call.