LEO (2023)

Critic No. 318

Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj

Written by: Lokesh Kanagaraj, Rathna Kumar, Deeraj Vaidy

Produced by: Seven Screen Studio

Casts: Vijay, Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian

Music: Anirudh

Language: Tamil

Genre: Action

SYNOPSIS:

Taking place in Himachal Pradesh, Parthiban (Vijay), an animal rescuer and proprietor of a coffee shop, rises to local hero status after saving the town from a Hyena attack. An unrelated incident at his coffee shop garners unwarranted global media attention. Hearing about Parthiban, brothers Anthony Das (Sanjay Dutt) and Harold Das (Arjun Sarja) mistakenly identify him as Leo Das (Vijay), the former's son, leading to a dramatic arrival in the small town as they attempt to confirm Parthiban's true identity.

REVIEW:

The much-anticipated film 'Leo,' directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, had cinephiles across the world on the edge of their seats. As the second collaboration between Lokesh and renowned actor Vijay after their box office smash 'Master (2021),' and following the roaring success of 'Vikram (2022),' the movie bore the immense weight of expectations regarding its potential inclusion in Lokesh's Cinematic Universe (LCU).

The film commences in grand fashion, setting an enticing tone and successfully whetting the audience's appetite for what is to follow. A refreshing sight is Vijay, who, in an extraordinary twist, plays an ordinary man of his real age. His on-screen chemistry with Trisha, reuniting after 15 years, sparks and ignites, breathing life into the film. The early family dynamics laid out in the narrative add depth and context, promising a compelling story. Inspired by the acclaimed film 'A History of Violence (2005)' ‘Leo’ follows a similar trajectory, kickstarting an underlying mystery that reaches an explosive crescendo during the interval. However, it is what follows that becomes the Achilles' heel of the film.

The second half of the film takes a sharp downturn as it drifts into the realm of formulaic masala cinema. It introduces a clichéd flashback that feels hasty, underdeveloped, and contrived, failing to establish any emotional connection with the audience. This lapse in storytelling logic is unexpected in a director of Lokesh Kanagaraj's caliber. The film's antagonists, played by industry heavyweights Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Sarja, are disappointingly underwhelming. Their motivations appear shallow, and their storyline hinges on a forced and far-fetched element of sacrifice.

The action sequences are undoubtedly a highlight, with credit due to the talented stunt duo Anbarivu. However, the car chase scene, initially an intriguing concept, loses authenticity over time, ultimately failing to integrate seamlessly with the raw action sequences. One of the film's challenges is Lokesh's ambitious attempt to balance two conflicting genres – an action drama centered on an ordinary man's quest to save his family and a mass-oriented film with an LCU connection. Regrettably, the latter feels forced and out of sync. In 'Vikram (2022),' LCU's connection to 'Kaithi (2019)' evoked excitement among audiences, while in 'Leo,' it comes across as confusing and occasionally comical, particularly in the contrived ending phone call that doesn't even gel with the protagonist's ideology or world. A very celebrated character in 'Kaithi' appears in the film, only to be mocked and used as a weak second fiddle in an action set piece. I really hope Lokesh salvages LCU back.

Vijay's portrayal of Parthiban is a shining beacon in the film. His performance is both seasoned and emotionally charged. ‘Leo’ has several poignant moments that reveal his depth as an actor. Trisha, as always, graces the screen with her captivating presence, while Gautham plays a pivotal role that provides the support expected of a typical protagonist. Unfortunately, most other characters do not leave a lasting impression. A blink-and-miss cameo from a popular director stands out as a disrespectful display of talent.

Anirudh's 'Badass' theme stands out as catchy, but the rest of the background music feels overly loud and intrusive. At times, it appears that Anirudh has overcrowded the soundtrack with raps and tracks, overshadowing the diegetic sounds that could have added depth to the film. ‘Naan Ready’ song is well choreographed but due to the editing pattern of going back and forth with the narration, it lacks the impact expected.

Cinematographer Manoj skillfully captures each action scene with dynamic camera movements, infusing a sense of excitement into the raw action sequences. However, the highly anticipated hyena scene, rather than seamlessly integrating into the film, appears to have been included primarily for shock value, leaving it somewhat disjointed.

VERDICT:

Despite being Lokesh Kanagaraj's messiest and weakest film to date, Vijay still delivers a powerful performance in this technically proficient yet content-deficient film, Leo.

CELLULOID METER- 2.75/5: