The settings and characters are extremely realistic, which is what you only expect of a Thankar movie but it's equally obvious that there's precious little in the story that can be drawn out for almost three hours. Characters change themselves at the drop of a hat, the narration is choppy and you wonder what happened to the finesse that's usually a part of his work. The story also revolves around a mystery, almost a whodunit -- except that you know what's going to happen right at the very end. But what truly sinks the movie is the melodrama which drags on and on.
Shantanoo, given that he's presented with an opportunity to actually prove himself in a rustic role, does work hard, but can't rid himself of hamming.
Iniya looks very pretty and cries well too -- in fact, all the characters do, at some point.
Azhagamperumal turns in a dignified performance, and so does the mother.
But in some ways, the focus is more or less turned on Thankar, and he manages to acquit himself reasonably well.
Rohit Kulkarni's score is passable, while Thankar's camera-work is faultless. Kishore Te's editing could have been tauter.
Ammavin Kaipesi is supposed to be about the distances between members of the same family, and how a cell-phone often takes the place of near and dear ones but even though its heart is in the right place, too much melodrama and an endlessly meandering screenplay brings it down.
Rediff Rating:
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