CAPTAIN MILLER (2024)

 

Critic No. 320

Director: Arun Matheswaran

Written by: Arun Matheswaran, Madhan Karky

Produced by: Sathya Jyothi Films

Casts: Dhanush, Shiva Rajkumar, Sundeep Kishan, Priyanka Mohan, Aditi Balan, John Kokken, Nivedhithaa Sathish, Elango Kumaravel, Viji Chandrasekhar

Music: G.V Prakash Kumar

Language: Tamil

Genre: Action

SYNOPSIS:

In a remote Tamil Nadu village, the Koranar deity, guardian of tribes for 600 years, faces a threat as the king and prince eye the tribal land. Forbidden from their temples, the oppressed villagers hope for freedom. The British, intrigued by the deity's power, aim to take it to England. To reclaim it, the cunning local king enlists Captain Miller (Dhanush), promising money and temple access. The plot thickens as Captain Miller's true intentions unfold, blurring the lines between loyalty, deception, and the fate of the sacred Koranar deity.

REVIEW:

"Captain Miller" is a riveting addition to Arun Matheswaran's filmography, showcasing his evolving command in storytelling with well-segregated chapters that skillfully capture the socio-political tone. The film stands out as a rare exploration of the freedom struggle from the viewpoint of the oppressed class, a narrative delivered with finesse and supported by the compelling performance of Dhanush, who effortlessly juggles three distinct looks throughout the movie.

Shivarajkumar's portrayal of the Jailer adds depth to the narrative, particularly in the impactful climax, while cinematographer Siddhartha Nuni and production designer Ramalingam excel in breaking period clichés, creating visuals reminiscent of an oil painting. However, the true hero of "Captain Miller" is composer GV Prakash Kumar, whose emotional background score elevates the film, seamlessly blending rural percussion with fusion, resonating with the audience and contributing significantly to the movie's impact.The sound mixing and editing team should also be commended for their detailed rendering in action scenes.

The film's strength lies in its exploration of caste discrimination, delivering a relevant message despite its pre-Independence setting. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop where societal issues resonate even in today's context, emphasizing the film's enduring relevance.

However, "Captain Miller" is not without its flaws. The action sequences, while initially engaging, become numbingly repetitive, lacking the spatial unity seen in the director's previous work. The fast cutting diminishes the impact of the stunt choreography, and a more gradual increase in violence intensity with the character and story development could have enhanced the overall experience.

Acting-wise, Elango Kumaravel's narrator and John Kokken's portrayal suffer from lack of nuance and reduced complexity, respectively. Unfortunately, Priyanka Mohan is a total miscast for such a fiery character. That choice to be contrasting might have been good on paper, but gets lost in execution. Similarly, except Nivedhithaa, none of the popular supporting actors like Aditi Balan, Sundeep Kishan, Viji Chandrasekar or Kaali Venkat make a mark due to their thin characters. 

The film's narrative, while ambitious, highlights the challenge of creating a multi-character biopic with a big star, revealing the limitations imposed by the need for broad audience appeal. As a result, potentially violent scenes become diluted with more family friendly angles. The holding back is strongly evident throughout. 

Despite some shortcomings in action choreography and character development, the film leaves a lasting impact with its relevant social commentary and the stellar performance of Dhanush. It's a testament to the director's genre expertise, even as he navigates the complexities of a multi-character narrative.

VERDICT:

Though not as raw as Arun’s previous flicks, "Captain Miller”, delivers a poignant exploration of the freedom struggle from an oppressed perspective, marked by Dhanush's standout performance, stunning visuals, and a soul-stirring musical score.

CELLULOID METER- 3.25/5: