Bigil Movie Review Rating:2.5/5
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AGS Cinemas
Cast:
Vijay as Michael, Nayanthara, Jackie Shroff, Kathir, Vivek, Daniel Balaji, Anandaraj, Indhuja Ravichandran, Reba Monica John, Varsha Bollamma, Rajkumar Devadarshini, Yogi Babu, Soundararaja, G. Gnanasambandam, Poovaiyar
Direction:
Atlee
Production:
Archana Kalpathi
Music:
AR Rahman
Bigil, director Atlee has satisfied both the die-hard fans of Thalapathy Vijay and the sports drama genre. The first half of the film is purely aimed at the masses in which Vijay gets an awesome entry scene, songs, romantic track, comedy sequences and punchlines. And in the father role, as gangster Rayappan, he shines. The father-son sentiments and a riveting interval block set the stage for a sports drama in the second half.
Vijay excels as both Michael and Rayappan, and while he’s energetic and lively as Michael, as Rayappan he is mass personified, and with the stammering and unique body language, he is a revelation. Nayanthara comes in an insignificant role, while among the girls, Reba Monica John is impressive in her limited screen time, and Varsha Bollamma and Amritha are aptly cast. Indhuja hams big-time, while Kathir is given a completely insignificant role(almost reminiscent of Vasool Raja’s Anand). Jackie Shroff and Daniel Balaji sleepwalk through their cliched roles, while the rest of the cast including Yogi Babu, Vivek, Anandraj are adequate.
A.R. Rahman’s songs and his background score are a big plus and as a bonus, his fans get to see him shake a leg in the “Singapenney”. The Thara local beats for the Vijay and Nayan engagement and the dance moves of the entire cast is a treat to both the ears and the eyes. Cinematography by GK Vishnu has captured the grand visuals very well and presents Bigil as a visual treat, while editing by Ruben could have been better, chopping several dragging episodes.
The sports movie must-haves – a team in disarray, the cold shouldering of the new coach, his attempt to gain their respect, the antagonist (here, it is Jackie Shroff, as JK Sharma, a upper class businessman), the on-field drama, and AR Rahman’s anthemic score – ensure that the second half feels like a breeze compared to the laboured first half. The girls who form the players in the football team – Indhuja, Reba, Amrita, Indraja and Varsha – get their moments, and do well, though their characters lack depth. But that is the case with the film as well. Like the director’s previous films, Bigil, too, lacks depth. And it is overlong. But the calculated attempt to turn the film into a women empowerment saga works.
GK Vishnu’s camera work is phenomenal especially the football matches. AR Rahman’s inspiring theme music and the background score elevate the emotional scenes in the film. On the downside, the sports angle is quite predictable and the villains are cliched. The film could have been shortened by 15 minutes.
To conclude, Bigil relies squarely on the charm of its leading man and Vijay dives into the character with an enthusiasm we haven’t seen before. It is a paisa vasool mass, sports-action-entertainer which is sure to be enjoyed by the masses and family audiences.
