Manmadhan Ambu

Manmadhan Ambu,with Kamal Haasan and director K.S. Ravikumar teaming up once again,is an entertainer that can be called good but not outstanding,especially as it comes from someone like Kamal Haasan,who is perceived as an outstanding actor and film-maker. it has all the elements of a good entertainer,but still something seems to be lacking. However,overall,the film is entertaining and enjoyable.

Man,Madhan and Ambu are the three pivotal characters in the film. Man or Major R Mannar (Kamal) is an ex-army man who is now a private detective. Madhan or Madhanagopal (Madhavan) is a businessman and Ambu (Trisha),whose real name is Nisha,but is known to near and dear ones as Ambu,is a popular film actress. Madhan and Ambu are in love and are almost on the verge of tying the knot. But the suspicious Madhan (the flames of suspicion are fanned by his mother,played by Usha Uthup) starts questioning Ambu’s relations with co-stars and even wants her to stop acting. She doesn’t agree. Ambu,desperate to get away,is now on a cruise abroad,along with her friend Deepa (Sangeetha),a divorcee with two kids. But Madhan won’t let her go that easily. He sends Man (who has to earn money to help a friend) after her to gather evidence against her. The rest of the plot develops during the cruise.

The film starts off as a love story. The initial scenes have a charm that would lead you to expect something fabulous,which unfortunately is not delivered at all. After the investigation track comes in,the film goes into comedy mode and becomes not-that-appealing,though it remains watchable.

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Kamal Haasan is good and suits his role,but the big question is: Was an actor of his caliber needed to do that role? Trisha is good. Madhavan puts in an excellent performance. And so does Sangeetha. The rest of the cast is strictly okay.

Technical aspects are fine and songs (composed by Devi Sreeprasad) suit the overall mood of the film,though most of the songs don’t have a recall value. The last scenes can be confusing if you don’t follow the dialogues closely as there’s a lot of verbal wit.

Verdict: ***

Three stars for Madhavan,Sangeetha and Kamal’s presence,the direction and the film’s vibrancy.