Unnaipole Oruvan  -Review
By Cine Critic | 19th september, 2009| 8:40:35

As one might be deceived by the promos, Unnaipole Oruvan, directed by Chakri Toleti, has nothing to do with the Plot taken from original Hindi movie A Wednesday, Of course, terrorism is the backdrop here, but Unnaipole Oruvan  is more about the current state of affairs and the power of the common man. Maarar's (Mohanlal), the Commissioner of Police, Chennai receives a phone call asking him to release four militants. The caller (kamal Haasan) threatens him saying if he took his call lightly, he would be responsible for a series of bomb blasts in the city. But if he listens to him, many innocent lives would be saved and the caller would also reveal where he had planted the bombs.

Maarar’s suspects it to be a crank call, but is forced to change his opinion when his men find a bomb at the police station right in front of the headquarters. It is then that the Chief Minister orders Maarar to tackle this critical situation. While trying to trace the caller, he meets a reporter from a news channel, who has also been tipped off by the same anonymous caller. One of Maarar’s best men, (Ganesh Venkatram) also chip in to trail the caller.

A cat and mouse game begins…

A scene, where Maarar's men frantically try to locate the caller while Kamal Hasan enjoys his homemade sandwiches, is funny indeed. Or the last scene where Maarar introduces himself to the "stupid common man" and shakes hand is remarkable. But we shall come to this "stupid common man" later.

No sub-plots,   no masala - the best part of the film is its tightly knit plot. Kamal hasan's performance as he calls himself in the film, "voice of the stupid common man" is brilliant. This two-hour-something film has been told in an amazingly precise and gripping manner, while the camera lingers for long periods on Kamal's face as it goes through a gamut of emotions - anger, confidence, disdain and mortal fear. With Kamal, one of the most refined actors of our times, this is a treat to watch.

It was good to watch Mohan Lal as a level-headed police commissioner who just doesn't sit in his  cozy room but bashes up goons as well. Your jaws will drop at the energy he exudes on screen. But it is Ganesh Venkatram who comes as a surprise package in terms of expressions and 'action' in the true sense of the term. We expected a lot more from his co actor, though.

The only jarring factor in the whole film is when kamal hasan gets little preachy just before the film reaches its climax. His calm and shrewd persona turns into that of a submissive common man who has faced the harsh realities of life, gone through adversities without a scope to raise his voice and ask, WHY?

Verdict: Watch it for its riveting plot and brilliant performances.
Our Rating: 3.5/5