TEDDY (2021)
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| Critic - No. 199 |
Director: Shakti Soundar Rajan
Produced by: Studio Green
Casts: Aarya, Sayyeshaa, Sathish, Karunakaran. Magizh Thirumeni
Language: Tamil
Genre: Action, Adventure
Music: D. Imman
SYNOPSIS:
When a loner crosses paths with a live teddy bear, the unusual duo sets off on an adventurous ride to uncover a devious scam to save lives.
REVIEW:
Nanayam (2010), Naaigal Jaagarthai (2014), Miruthan (2016), Tik Tik Tik (2018) - along these lines of unique films, director Shakthi pushes again for a unique concept about a journey set off by the protagonist and a talking teddy bear. Yes, with a first look at the promo materials, one might compare the design with the English film, Ted but this film has no vein of similarity with the Hollywood film. While Shakthi always displays his boldness in thinking out of the box, based on his track record, he loses his grip most of the time in the execution and screenplay. So will Teddy divert from that trend?
The film kicks off with Sree (Sayyeshaa), who gets kidnapped by a ruthless medical mafia who is also into organ trafficking. A fantasy element is introduced with her soul entering into a teddy bear after she falls into a coma due to drug intoxication. Teddy befriends Siva (Arya), a person with OCD and an extraordinary skill to grasp and learn things fast. The duo sets off to find the truth behind the kidnapping and the devious scammers behind it.
It is interesting to introduce Aarya’s character as a very reserved, unsociable but extremely smart and proper person. Thanimaye track really defines the character who embraces loneliness with pleasure. The first half feels quite empty with the narration being stretched to introduce and firm up the characters’ motivation. However, the situational humour that comes up through the antics of Teddy and Suva, though quite kiddish, brings a smile to the face. The lead up to the interval point is tightly executed and ends off with a high note, setting up a promising second half. Sadly, that’s where the film enters a far-fetched territory.
The plot moves to various parts of the world and the medical scam bit becomes seriously messy. Even though Aarya’s character was interestingly sketched, the ‘smartness’ of the character soon evolves into a ‘superhuman intelligence’ in the second half and we see him winning every single challenge with a straight face and ease. The cinematic liberties start to blow up the story and as in previous films of Shakthi, Teddy ends uncomfortably with a hint for a sequel.
Aarya’s focused, subtle performance is one of the engaging points of the film and he is impressively consistent throughout. Other than him and Teddy, no other character will stick to our minds. Magizh Thirumeni (who dons as the antagonist) is a great director but somehow looks artificial and theatrical when it comes to acting, based on this film. A film like this definitely deserves a better-crafted antagonist with clearer goals. Aarya and Sayyesha’s romance track looks extremely weak and underwritten which also contributes to the unsettling ending.
D.Imman’s score is apt for an adventure like this and his soulful songs lift up the film in many instances. Cinematographer Yuva’s visual style and elaborate lighting give the needed chic look for the film. The VFX is top-notch as well and the blending of the bear to the live-action setting is almost perfect at most parts. The strong technical aspect engages us fairly whenever the story fails to do so.
VERDICT:
Director Shakti comes up with another unique concept to package his overlong, adventurous thriller that is packed with cinematic liberties.
CELLULOID METER- 2.75/5:
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