What's Behind
Simbu and Gautham Menon delivered a couple of blockbusters Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaya and Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada. Expectations increased when they came together for Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. The film's Telugu version release got delayed and finally, it hit the screens today September 16, 2022. Let us see what magic Simbu and Gautam Menon wove on movie lovers.
Story Review
Life of Muthu story is about a youngster Muthu who struggles through poverty in a village near Nidadavolu and Polavaram before reaching Mumbai and what twists happen in his life there. Lakshmi (Radhika Sarathkumar), the mother of Muthu (Simbu) sends him far away from her village as she fears that the astrologer's prediction that he will commit murders will come true. Simbu reaches Mumbai and starts working in a Paraota Stall. However, he quickly comes to know about the dark secrets and where this leads to, and how it is connected to a beautiful girl Pavani (Siddhi Idnani), Kutti Bhai (Siddique), Sridharan (Neeraj Madhav) and others should be seen on screen.
Artists, Technicians Review
Life of Muthu story selected by Gautam Menon is an age-old gangster drama. He along with Jeya Mohan penned the story and the dialogues. The narration starts off on a sedate and interesting note but from then on, it seems Gautam Menon decided to narrate the very intricate detail in the Life of Muthu and this slowed the pace of the film considerably. Nothing happens in the first half after all the buildup. The first half ends on a somber note with the expectations of a better second half.
It seems Jeya Mohan has taken care of most of the first half after the initial taking of Gautam Menon. While the first half is serious with the sadness, trauma, and troubles of Muthu and the gang war backdrop, the second half is more about the romantic track between Simbu and Siddhi Idnandi. Though the romantic track has all the shades of Gautam Menon's earlier films, it impacted the film pulling the story two steps backward.
The pre-climax and climax are fine but they are age-old and are seen in many gangster films and even Gautam Menon used it in his previous films. The entire film with monotony creeping in, everything tuned out to be a yawning fest. The film has the shades of many recent entertainers, KGF and Pushpa but lacked the power present in it. Gautam Menon's story, screenplay, and direction turned out to be average. For all the expectations, Gautam Menon failed to match them.
Simbu performed well in the role. The role is tailor-made for him and he brought to the fore the pain and trauma of a poor youngster who fails to meet both ends in his livelihood and then suffers in Mumbai before circumstances force him to pick up a gun. He showcased various expressions and emotions accordingly. At times, it looked like he is imitating Madhavan. Radhika Sarathkumar is ok in the role of the mother. Her performance is typical. Siddhi Idnani looked cute in some angles and average in others. She is ok in her role but at times looked out of pace. Other actors performed according to their roles.
Rahman scored the music and background music. While the background music is in sync with the storyline but at times one gets a feeling that he underperformed. Coming to songs, none of them register in the minds and they in fact acted as speed breakers. Rahman for all his status seems to have lost his Midas touch longtime back. The cinematography of Siddhartha Nuni showcased the proceedings in a natural and realistic manner. He used the camera angles to perfection without overdoing it in search of lavishness. The editing of Antony failed to live up to the expectations. There are many drags and the slow pace affected the film badly. They could have chopped off more than 20 minutes of the film. Production values are ok.
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Rating Analysis
Simbu and Gautam Menon form a super hit combination and they are known for being creative and novel entertainers. Movie lovers expected a lot from them in Life of Muthu. However, except for a few glimpses here and there from Simbu and Gautam Menon along with the technical team, they offered a routine dish. Gautam Menon seems to have done this film as if he is doing research and submitting a thesis on how to make gangster films for his Ph.D. going into the intricate details. In his quest, he lost the emotional connection with the viewers that he used to establish powerfully with his earlier films. Altogether, Life of Muthu is a monotonous gangster drama that offers nothing new. Considering all these points, Cinejosh goes with a 2 rating for Life of Muthu.