Comedian Actor Vivek still has it in him to draw in the crowds.If the response to his latest comedy cum family drama is anything to go by,his witty sarcastic one liners and cutesy expressions had the audiences in splits from the word go.
Yes"Paalakattu Madhavan -Ivan Tamizhan" may seem dated in its appearance and very ordinary in its presentation..much akin to what we got to watch in the 80's but just to see the audiences rolling with laughter in a movie hall that slowly packed in full house was a sheer delight.There was an elderly couple who kept laughing their hearts out..I doubt if they would do the same back home.If the mission is entertainment(Just as Vidya Balan's golden words in The Dirty Picture), then this should not be given a miss.
Vivek's portrayal of a lazy husband who can't keep a job and yet is unable to come to terms with the fact that his wife (Sonia Aggarwal, who looks a tad jaded with loud make up) is the one wears the pants back home.His hilarious experimentation with jobs (The Nadodigal inspired kidnap track,his experience as a food taster for a politician and his earlier blackmail banter with Manobala) are suitably laughathon designed.When he finally adopts an elderly woman(Chemmeen Sheela packs a rousing punch) and brigbs her home,the comedy of errors ensues and that ends with dollops of melodrama.
The film highlights the plight of elderly women and elder abuse at their respective homes and old age homes too.The film talks about how unemployment issues facing the man of the house could send shock waves to a household and how gossipy neighbors are enough to ruin a rather happy family.The film also enhances the value of women empowerment..It is nice to see a working woman talk her mind and balance work and home with a wry smile( a lot of women would identify with this).Yet all this is handled with a breezy undercurrent of humor except for the high voltage melodrama in the pre climax featuring a face off between the eldelry woman's biological offsprings and the family which later adopts her wholeheartedly.
The film could have done without the mandatory item song and sequence at the open lawn bar which is in poor taste.Naan Kadavul Rajendran makes a killer impression with his comic skills in a neat cameo..the only other performance that truly deserves some mention..thought most of the supporting cast are suitably adequate.
Watch this one for all the laughs it has in store to offer.Watch it for the talented trio of Vivek, Chemmeen Sheela and Rajaendran whose acts alone are worth the price of the ticket.