Sleepy start ends up leaving you wide awake
NAAN SIGAPPU MANITHAN (8/10)
FOR those who believe that all revenge stories are essentially the same, Thiru (who directed Samar) proves otherwise in his third film.
Vishal and Lakshmi Menon star in the lead roles, supported by Jagan, Jayaprakash, Saranya Ponvannan, Iniya, Sundhar Ramu and Pyramid Nadarajan.
Indhran (Vishal) suffers from narcolepsy. The sleep disorder makes it difficult for him to lead a normal life, but love nevertheless blooms between him and Meera (Menon).
When Meera’s father (Jayaprakash) finds out about their love, he is incensed.
Undeterred, Indhran and Meera continue to see each other — until they run into a trap that changes their lives.
Vishal is at his most electrifying, playing the role with ease and credibility. Menon plays a brave deviation from the standard female lead.
Jagan oscillates between humour and drama and Jayaprakash also delivers an impressive performance.
The film starts leisurely, but it breaks into a breathless pace with twists and surprises, including a thought-provoking ending.
It deals with sexual issues in a frank way without becoming sleazy. Narcolepsy, characterised by highly irregular sleeping patterns, is also depicted sensitively and realistically.
Richard M Nathan’s cinematography is good in the first half, but it rises to a stunning impact in the second.
Although there is a strong sense of déjà vu in the love ballads, composer and singer GV Prakash impresses with the other songs and delivers a magnificent background score, especially in the second half.
Thiru has made great strides since his impressive debut in Samar.
His attention to detail and his keen visual sense will surely ensure a long and successful career.
Naan Sigappu Manithan is a revenge thriller with a difference.
The gripping narrative and technical excellence will make you want to see it more than once.