Unnaipol Oruvan - Thoughts

Unnaipol Oruvan (Someone Like You) is certainly worth mention, as it’s the first ever Tamil movie I’ve decided to review. While I wasn’t keeping track of it around its release in 2009, I got my first whiff of it a few months ago when I saw bits of it on cable TV while having dinner. Realizing that it came across as quite sophisticated and interesting, I decided to get a hold of it and check it out. In Unnaipol Oruvan an individual of unknown origin or connections makes threats to the I G of police regarding bombs placed across the city. In exchange for details on their locations, he requires the release of 4 specific terrorists. His agenda and his motive remain key questions as the plot unfolds. Interestingly online research pointed to the fact that Unnaipol Oruvan is a remake of the 2008 Bollywood / Hindi movie, A Wednesday.

To those familiar with Tamil movies, expect to be shocked; there are no song and dance sequences, and similarly there are no fight sequences either. Yes, at this point most average Tamil movie goers would be in a state of alarm. In short Unnaipol Oruvan is aimed at advanced audiences, who are looking for something intellectual. In my opinion from a narrative perspective Unnaipol Oruvan is near perfect, with the plot being strong, and the execution and delivery being faultless. Even without the usual drama by means of songs, fights, and special effects the movie is immensely gripping, and carries its weight flawlessly. In addition the movie has a very real and everyday feel to it, which audiences should be able to relate to easily. It feels modern, current, and not over the top like many blockbuster movies. The level of detail given to every scene, and the strong dialogues are memorable. If you aren’t in the mood for a serious movie experience, you should save Unnaipol Oruvan for another day. That said, it is one of the best Tamil movies I have ever seen, and though it’s a gripping suspense crime drama, it’s not gruesome in anyway, and should appeal to a wide audience, as long as they are looking for substance.

The success of Unnaipol Oruvan largely rests on the excellent performances all round. Leading the ensemble is Kamal Hassan, who is known for his stellar performances. Whether it be emotion, or dictating terms, he does it with a level of realism that’s unquestionable. Pay attention and you will wonder whether he lives his roles or just acts them. Mohanlal plays the I G of Police, also doing very well, coming across as fair, grounded, and logical. He is so convincing that Id go out on a limb and say that if the Chennai police force were in his able hands, I’d rest easier every night. The supporting roles of Arif and Inspector Sethu are played by Ganesh Venkatraman and Bharath Reddy respectively. Though those are unfamiliar names, their performances are impressive, and the way their individual characters develop through the course of the plot is commendable.

I was lucky to get my hands on a solid HD 1080p rip of Unnaipol Oruvan, from a Blueray source. Video was clear and sharp. Colors were bright, and on a widescreen HD TV, it was a crisp enjoyable presentation. Facial detail was phenomenal in the close-ups, but some outdoor scene looked slightly over exposed. Sound was presented by means of a 6 channel 5.1 DTS surround soundtrack. Dialog was perfectly delivered through the center channel, and there was suitable use of the surround stage in multiple scenes. Technically Unnaipol Oruvan was just right, leaving literally nothing to be wanted, while not being overdone.

My Recommendation: Watch It + (A near perfect crime drama that sets the bar for Tamil cinema)