Uyir Thamizhukku Review: Plenty of reasons to zone out in this ineffective political drama

There is a scene in Uyir Thamizhukku where Imaan Annachi's character snatches the microphone away from Ameer's character and advises him not to make a three-week-long speech where three minutes would suffice. We wish the film internalised this advice.

Uyir Thamizhukku follows the peak and valley pattern, it alternates between highs and lows. However, we soon realise that the film meanders through the low points more than we expected and that it has been quite some time since the film picks itself up to a high point. Once the realisation dawns upon us, this film turns into an excruciating watch.

The film opens with the murder of a prominent politician named Pazhakadai Ramachandran (Anandraj), who belonged to the opposition party. We are told that this could be a conspiracy hatched by MGR Pandian (Ameer Sultan) as Ramachandran doesn't favour Pandian's love for his daughter Thamizhselvi (Chandini Sreedharan). What follows is not just Pandian's bid to prove his innocence and win the Bypoll of the constituency that fell vacant, but also a test of our determination not to fall asleep.

Debut director Adham Bava lacks clarity on whether he wants to elevate Ameer's off-screen image, as a vociferous critic of government policies, or to make a story-focused political satire with him. His dilemma persists throughout the film's 129-minute runtime. If Adham Bava says Pandian has entered politics solely to woo Thamizhselvi, why does he deliver a lengthy dialogue explaining his action plan if he wins the poll?

Cast: Ameer Sultan, Chandini Sreedharan, Anandraj, Imaan Annachi, Raj Kapoor 

Director: Adham Bava

Rating: 1.5/5

Another blindspot in Bava's directorial choice is the lack of brevity and the abundance of exposition. Several scenes are devoted to explaining the plot where few lines would have sufficed. On the other hand, scenes that did require more attention, are skimmed over hastily. The level of detailing required in a high-profile murder, that of a sitting MLA, is shockingly absent. It so happens that the MLA is muffled and stabbed to death by two in the middle of the street. On the other hand, scene after scene of Pandian's amorous exploits is forced on us.

As the first half doesn't end on a startling note, there was not much to expect from the second half. But one would at least not want things to descend into further mess, which is exactly what happens. The stakes of the Bypoll outcome were thought out flippantly.

Uyir Thamizhukku also suffers from logical loopholes. Even with the film's bizarre understanding of politics, if Pandian is in love with Thamizh shouldn't he join her party instead of the rival party?; Pandian is a bigwig in the ruling party, but is conveniently taken in a prison van where henchmen, who are out for his blood, are also seated just to stage a fight scene; Just like the murder of the MLA, the manner in which the murderer is revealed, happens so easily; winner of the Bypoll, that was said to have eight rounds, gets announced after only just six rounds; How Pandian wins the Bypoll is also laughable. The list of such issues goes on and on.

While Uyir Thamizhukku boasts some good actors in its star cast, including Ameer, the messy writing left us searching hard even for an average performance. Except for the MGR song with catchy lines, Vidyasagar's music too is passe. The film easily joins the dubious list of films where you rummage for at least one redeeming aspect to no avail.

Uyir Thamizhukku is the second part of the popular Tamil maxim - Udal Mannukku, Uyir Thamizhukku (which roughly translates to, 'May the soil take the body but leave the soul to Tamil'). Adham Bava was almost successful in bringing the first part into reality. Ameer in his recent interviews has said he will not call the film a special one for him. We can't agree enough.