Marumagan is a movie where the whole somehow seems better than the sum of its parts. Seen individually, the movie offers nothing new in any department. The romance is uninteresting, the lovers face the age-old problem of opposition from their parents and the 'mother sentiment' is put to full use. But the movie as a whole offers passable entertainment atleast until the last quarter when things completely fall apart.

Thangarasu(Karthik) is the new tailor in town, having learnt all the latest tailoring techniques from Bombay. He even takes measurements without touching the women. Consequently, all the ladies in town make a beeline for his shop. He falls in love with Manjula(Meena), the daughter of Mayilsamy Gounder(Radharavi), an ex-MP. They boldly announce their love on television and Mayilsamy, who needs the people's support for winning his upcoming election, vows to get them married. But Thangarasu's mother(Manorama) forbids him from marrying Manjula since Mayilsamy has been respopnsible for their family's sad loss in the past.

Unlike Maappillai, where Rajnikanth stands up against Srividya after becoming her son-in-law, the title is rather unsuitable for this movie since Karthik never marries Meena in the movie! So those expecting a game of one-upmanship between a mother-in-law and her son-in-law will be disappointed. This movie is more about the oppositions faced by a young man who wants to be a marumagan!

The romance doesn't deviate from regular tamil cinema romances. In other words, it doesn't take much for Karthik and Meena to fall in love. Its love at first sight for Karthik when he sees Meena while I never really understood why or exactly when Meena falls in love with him! As far as I could see, Karthik's only acts, before she falls for him, were shattering her car window and stitching glamorous dresses for her friends! Scenes like Meena dressing up like a mannequin offer oppurtunities to be clever and funny but they are squandered.

Having Radharavi swear to get Karthik and Meena married is the first sign of something different. But this surprise doesnt last long and the movie slips once again into standard situations seen lots of times before. Manorama's flashback falls squarely into this category. There are some interesting twists(one of them lasts long enough to raise doubts of a Bharathi Kannammaa-type ending) that manage to keep our interest from wandering. But Manorama's end seems totally unnecessary and inserted to give Karthik an oppurtunity to act and utilise the 'mother sentiment'. Her request to Karthik is ridiculous and totally out of character considering her behavior until then.

Karthik is his usual bubbly self initially, delivering dialogs in his typical, fast-talking style. Meena spoils her pretty face with a wrong choice of hairstyles and clothes. Her acting improves as the movie progresses. Radharavi gives a very good performance and his dialogs with the MLA, who used to be his employee at the arrack factory, are sharp. Nagesh is wasted in an inconsequential role while Koundamani and Senthil raise very few laughs. The melodious O Raagini... and the fun Manjula Manjula... sound nice in Deva's average soundtrack.