Cast: Lagubaran, Swathy

Director: Thangasamy

Rating: 2.5/5

Reality strikes

You just can't separate Kollywood and love stories. Even if it is a mass masala movie or an action thriller, there will be enough space for romance. And there are a number of cent per cent love stories too. The 'just-in' name to the ever growing list is 'Raattinam'.

Life is like a roller-caster ride. Aptly sensing it, debutant director Thangasamy has named the movie 'Raattinam'. It speaks about the various phases that love undergoes and the joy and the sorrow shared between the love birds.

But it is not the usual love story we have been watching on screen for years. There is a huge amount of honesty, reality in this movie, and at the same time it is interesting and gripping too.

With a bunch of newcomers playing the lead roles, freshness prevails all through. And to add to it the beautiful capturing of fresh green locales in and around the rural areas of Tirunelveli.

Jayam (Lagubaran) is a carefree youngster who leads a happy life. But things take a turn when he falls for a school student Dhanam (Swathy), whose uncle is an advocate and brother is a policeman.

With Dhanam too falling in love with Jayam, they roam around freely. However, elders in their families come to know of their affair and oppose it. Not ready for separation, Jayam and Dhanam elope together. But life has different plans for them.

Despite being new faces, Lagubaran and Swathy emote well. They are aided by a good casting and their on-screen chemistry is a treat to watch. The director should be applauded for aptly casting all the characters including Elizabeth as Swathy’s mother. Music by Manu Ramesan excels in the background score, while Raj Sundar's camera brings alive the greenery of Tirunelveli.

The second half moves bit slow, but no complaints since the director has tried his best not to succumb to commercial comprise. But he could have avoided some loop holes. To sum it up, 'Raattinam' is worth a watch, at least once.