NEERPARAVAI FILM REVIEW

NEERPARAVAI (2012)

Director: Seenu Ramasamy
Casts: Vishnu, Sunaina, Saranya
Music: N.R. Raghunathan
Language: Tamil
Genre: Romance

Not all film makers in Kollywood have won National award so early in their career and one gem of a director is Seenu Ramasamy. With his multiple award winning, Thenmerku Paruva Kaatru, he proved his calibre as an efficient storyteller who conveys thoughtful messages through his vision. Neerpaarvai, touted to be a love story set at the backdrop of a Christian fisherman community, have fetched a very good pre talks by the people who have caught a preview of it. With promising casts such as Vishnu, Samuthirakani and Saranya, will Seenu Ramasamy prove his point once again?

Synopsis

Neerparvai is a story set in a Christian fisherman community. Arulappasamy (Vishnu) who is an alcoholic falls in love with an orphan girl, Ester (Sunaina) who resides in the Chruch. He starts to reform and gets treated in a rehabilitation centre where he quits drinking. When he confides his wish to marry Ester, no one trusts him due to his past habit. He decides to go out to the sea to start his life as fisherman, but the village people disagree to give him a place to fish due to his caste. How he proves himself and buys a boat to save his love from slipping, forms the crux of the film.

Story – Screenplay

Seenu Ramasamy proves that his previous venture was not a flash in a pan by giving us a thoughtful noble film which will prick our heart when we go back from the cinema. The caste system in fishing community is interesting to watch whereas, the message he strongly stamps about innocent fisherman being shot in borders, is praiseworthy. The naturalistic texture of the film gives a feel good factor throughout. And when it ends, it will surely give a lump on the throat.

However, the screenplay gets stagnant at many parts which make it a little tiring to follow. In addition there also too much of lawful loopholes and the intended suspense from the start does not work. But he compensates by injecting lots of values, be it adopting, caste system and illegal liquor.

In overall, a great attempt by Seenu, even though the film feels stretched and contains a contrived climax, the message he wanted to bring across, gets successfully conveyed.

Casting & Performance

It is no doubt that Neerparavai is Vishnu’s best till date with matured rendition and controlled emotions. His subtle articulation at the second half is remarkable. Sunaina who we have seen as a glam doll, have been translated totally in this film and she looks exactly like any girl who we can see in a village. She also gives her best in acting and shadows everyone even a veteran like Saranya in the climax.

Nandhi Das, as usual does her minuscule role with much dedication.

Supporting casts such as National Award winners, Saranya and Thambi Ramaiah, excel in propelling the scenes and emotions forward. However, the certain scorer is undoubtedly ‘Poo’ Ram as Lourdhsamy, father of Arulappasamy. Be it anguish or affectionate, Ram projects emotions in a natural manner.

Pandi and Azhagam Perumal also have done their roles well with most talked about Samuthirakani’s extended cameo falling flat with such an ordinary role.

In overall, Seenu Ramasamy has yet again translated stars into actors and pushes them to become performances in this film.

Technicality

Technically the film gets aided well to portray an unsophisticated and dry atmosphere. Cinematographer Balasubramanium who is known for his bright and clean lighting, goes for earthy tones this time and elevates the poetic scenery very well. Especially he has shown the sea, enchantingly.  Art director Selvakumar’s dedicated work plays a big part in this too.

Music director N.R. Raghunathan has given soothing bunch of songs which will surely be a favourite humming tune for anyone who watch this film.  His, ‘Meenuku’ and ‘Para Para’ gives a big lift to the mood of the film especially during the stagnant patches of the screenplay. His BGM are also praise worthy and no doubt he is a big boost to the film. 

On the flipside, editor Kasi Vishwanathan’s cuts looks abrupt at many instances especially towards the second half, it jumps oddly.

In overall, a well collated technical team which delivers right for the content.

  

  

Bottomline

Minus away all the stretched and dull pace of screenplay, Neerparavai is certainly an honest attempt by Seenu Ramasamy who never gives away to commercial temptations but delivers a thoughtful premise accompanied by powerhouse performances.

Verdict: Poetic and meaningful

Rating:  3/5