Film-Election
Director-Thamizh
Cast- Vijay Kumar,Preethi Asrani,Richa Joshi, Dhileepan, Pavel Navageethan, George Maryan, Rajiv Anand, Kulothungan Udhayakumar, Sugandhi.
A political thriller revolving around local body elections, it’s about a reluctant politician Nadarasan, who finds himself caught in the power play in the political arena. Vijay Kumar’s earlier films have been set against political backdrops and showcased him as a rebel with a cause. But this time, the screenplay lets him down, leaving both the character and the actor unimpressive, and at most times kept on the periphery.
Not inclined towards politics and with no understanding of it as he claims constantly, Nadarasan(Vijay Kumar) jumps into the fray after the humiliation meted out to his father Nallasivam (Maryan), a loyal veteran of the party. With friends turning foes and those with vendetta in their minds manipulating him, a disillusioned Nadarasan decides to withdraw from the arena. But circumstances keep drawing him back into it.
The premise is an interesting one, having the potential to turn into an engaging political thriller. But the lack of a coherent screenplay and a rather bland scenario ensures that like its hero, one remains at the periphery of the happenings, without actually being connected or drawn into them. There are too many characters, the frequent and random shifting from one to the other giving one the feel of not being connected to any. The infighting within the party does not generate any exciting moments, the narrative more dialogue oriented. The songs seem forced-in and derail the flow.
With nothing refreshing in content or style, and with its bland, dry take, ‘Election’ (120 minutes) neither provokes nor entertains.
Malini Mannath
Malini Mannath 