Marakathamani Review – A Dull Crime Caper.

BOTTOM LINE
A Dull Crime Caper.

OUR RATING
2.5/5

CENSOR
‘U’ Ceritified, 2 hrs 12 mins.

What is the film Marakathamani about?
Raghunandan (Aadi) is in dire need of big money. He starts doing petty crimes to get the money but that is not enough. How he takes up a big assignment involving Marakathamani and what happens in the end is what the film is all about.

How is Aadhi Pinisetty’s performance?
Aadi is good as usual as he has been on many occasions previously. There is no heavy duty action required here, as it is a simple plot that needs a simple and believable performance, without any over action. He delivers exactly that.

Direction By ARK Saravanan?
Saravanan has taken the crime caper genre and tried to mix horror and fantasy into it. The basic set up of the crime caper is fine. Similarly the setting of the fantasy elements is also neat. So, where does the problem crop up? Well, it is fusing the caper set up with fantasy.

When one is watching the movie, there is a clear difference is the narrative when it operates at crime level and when we get the fantasy elements. The narrative is disjointed. What still hooks is the story which is engaging. One wants to know what happens in the end but it is a letdown of sorts. The acting all around is good and it makes things seem better than what they are. Overall, the inconsistent tone of the movie makes it an unsatisfying watch despite few hilarious moments sprinkled all over.

[m9ad]

Nikki Galrani and others?
Nikki Galrani is heroine just for the sake sorts. She has nothing to do performance wise except acting manly. It is actor Ramadoss who is again the highlight in terms of acting. He leads from the front and remains a highlight of the movie just like Nagaram. Apart from him senior actor Anand Raj too shines as a comic villain. The rest of the actors fit their parts well and provide fun whenever the opportunity presents itself. Kota Srinivas Rao is good in few scenes he has.

Music and other departments?
Music by Dhibu Ninan Thomas is okay. It is in background score that he excels, it is superb. The cinematography is good. Editing is neat. Dialogues are adequate but they could have been better for sure.

Highlights?
Interesting story
Good casting
Some fun parts
Background score

Drawbacks?
Inconsistent Tone
Muddled Narration

Alternative Take
A more rounded up hero track giving a serious cause to take up crime and then a perfect rounded up closure would make a better alternative take.

Did I enjoy it?
Yes few moments

Will you recommend it?
With huge reservations.

Marakathamani Review by Siddartha Toleti