KAMALI FROM NADUKKAVERI MOVIE REVIEW CLICK TO RATE THE MOVIE

Much like a marathon champion reserving his best for the final home stretch, debutant director Rajasekar Duraisamy leaves it till late to woo the audience. The climactic act by way of a quiz contest for the coveted APJ Abdul Kalam Trophy is the saving grace of a premise which had all the trappings of a winner.

With the line-up of `Kayal' Anandhi, Azhagam Perumal and a subdued Imman Annachi, the storyline had enough promise. Only to be let down by a laidback approach, the pace just not picking up the desired steam in the first moiety. The girl is ambitious to get into the demanding IIT but has the cinderella interest searching for her imaginary love. Here, the senior student is debutant Rohit Seraph, who sports a smile right through to add the desired sheen and merit of a student aspiring for higher laurels.

The director has not woven any love plot but is helped by the meaningful lyrics of Madan Karky. Of the four pleasing numbers of composer Dheena Dayalan, the pick is the Akshaya Sivakumar soothener where the unknown mist is brought with all its essence. The other hummable one is from Shwetha Mohan where she has brought out the varied changes of a heart in tune with the prevalent mood of the teenager.

Pace or the lack of it has the desired effect on the momentum, strained to the core for an average moviegoer. One wonders if the movie is set in the 80s as the father dutifully reminds her cell phone-afflicted daughter to call him once in a while.

There is no doubting of the director's intention to craft a fare for a family audience. Understandably, studies get the prominence and extracurricular activities get a backseat. Rajasekar making clear his intentions, doing well to bring in the Dr Kalam effect, albeit, a little late in the day, as the exhaustion had set in for the best part of the movie.

On the plus side, the pleasing aspects of the cinematography of Jagadeesan Logayan and the endearing picturisation of the songs (no male voice) lift the movie, only to be let down in the way of narration.

There is the wanton support of the characters by way of a friend (good work by Sreja) and the warmth exuded (so effectively brought out by the seasoned Rekha Suresh) in a larger canvas.

A village girl dreaming big and achieving her ambition is fine for the mindset. Much like the legend Kalam's words of wisdom that one has to dream big and in pursuing it is the thrill and vagaries of life.

KAMALI FROM NADUKKAVERI VIDEO REVIEW