THANGALAAN MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Vikram, Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Pasupathy
Director: Pa. Ranjith
Thangalaan is a daring film that embodies Pa. Ranjith’s signature themes: the struggle of the oppressed against the oppressor, notions of equality, courage, and rising above one’s circumstances. It’s a visually striking, albeit lengthy, narrative with Chiyaan Vikram playing the titular character, set in the mid-1800s. The film is not an easy watch – the dialect is challenging, and even if you grasp it, certain dialogues are delivered so rapidly that you might miss what was said. Spread over a 2-hour and 20-minute runtime, this can be a bit trying. Nevertheless, the story is straightforward enough to follow and enjoy.
Thangalaan (Vikram) hails from a tribe in Veppur Village of North Arcot. To escape the torment of a local Zamindar, the village sends Thangalaan and a few others to assist a British general, Clement (Daniel Caltagirone), in his quest for gold. Set in the 1850s, Clement is modeled after British explorer Henry Morton Stanley: seeking adventure, riches, and glory to compensate for failures back home. Predictably, he initially views Thangalaan and his crew as savages needing education and discipline, then switches to diplomacy for a while, exploiting their labor and knowledge of the land to find gold. Eventually, his inherent racism, colonialism, and greed take over. However, they encounter a third party, led by the mythical warrior Aarathi (Malavika Mohanan), who controls the gold-rich territory. It falls to Thangalaan, guided by his dreams, premonitions, and hallucinations (all tied to Aarathi), to vanquish this enemy and secure the riches for his people.
Thangalaan exudes an epic vibe, with the enslaved hero liberating himself and his villagers, but at its heart, it’s a metaphorical film. It explores themes of identity and liberation through various lenses. Clement is a disgruntled sergeant seeking personal glory. Thangalaan is intriguingly complex – he narrates a tale of a fierce lady warrior to his kids, a tale so deeply ingrained in his psyche that it blurs his reality and fantasy. The village women are portrayed as strong and unyielding, with memorable moments such as when they rejoice in modern clothing brought by Thangalaan. Pa. Ranjith weaves in these elements to provoke thought as the narrative progresses.
The plot, however, is quite simple, and the ending twist is somewhat underwhelming. Thangalaan’s character feels two-dimensional, lacking significant psychological development – he oscillates between fantasies and reality, fights, speeches, yet remains largely unchanged.
The performances, nevertheless, are compelling. Vikram is expressive and his acting is commendable. He effortlessly transitions among various looks – from a rugged villager to a gritty fighter and gold miner, to a princely figure upon returning home with spoils. Malavika, as a mythical character, is a revelation, nailing the stunts and fights. Parvathy, Pasupathy, and Daniel provide excellent support in their respective roles.
Technically, Thangalaan is aesthetically pleasing but somewhat inconsistent. The biggest flaw is the CGI – particularly the integration of animals, a challenge Kollywood seems to face consistently. GV Prakash’s music and background score fit well, though the loudness could have been toned down. Special mention goes to art director SS Murthi for ensuring an authentic look and feel.
Thangalaan can be a bit hit or miss. Recommend watching it with subtitles to get a better grasp of Pa. Ranjith’s themes. It’s one of his most aspiring films to date, though the execution doesn’t entirely match this ambition.