Pre-release hype (1/10): Coming a week after India's release into Malaysia, hype was little to none. Slight buzz generated with good reviews and active social network marketing by distributors nudged the film up a little. Limited release in Malaysia.
Songs Review (-)
Story, screenplay, plot and dialogues (7/10): It had the ability to connect with audiences from the very first scene. Dialogues and plot was raw and direct. Sensitive real life issues were explored well. Enough pace to keep you hooked. Nothing to complain about and courage to delve into tabooed topics in society is a welcome.
Performances (10/10): For a script demanding natural and powerful performances, honestly, I'm not sure who else would have perfected their roles better than those in the film itself! From the main characters (Andrea & Vasanth) to cast with smaller roles (Anjali & Azhagam Perumal), it was their acting that made you not realize you were watching a movie!
Songs-in-movie sync & timing (9/10): No issues whatsoever as stumbling blocks to screenplay. No songs brought out of story and no commercial aspects to it. Huge plus for this film.
Technical team (8/10): BGM from Yuvan was mild, subtle yet powerful when it should be. Silent scenes spoke really well. No issues here whatsoever as well.
Cinematic value (4/10): Although my watch was on 'Herotalkies' (legal streaming site), I don't see a need to watch it as a compulsory in cinemas. Lots of scenes that needs to be watched alone or in silent due to seriousness of matter and no heavy uses of surround system as well. Don't really have to watch it on the biggest screen + biggest sound. Honestly, I don't regret not being able to watch in cinemas. You won't miss much anyways.
Conclusion: Maybe not a must-watch on the big screen but definitely a must watch of the year!
Clarification: I need to add this because although cinema is just a form of entertainment and not to be taken so seriously in the first place, not many will have the same mindset while watching films. This movie however dealt with real life issues of LGBT and disloyalty in marriages, and therefore gives audiences a sense of reality and truthfulness. Therefore, I would like to clarify a scene of which Althiya will address her husband after finding out that he is a gay. Both of them, seemed to play their roles as Christians yet not a true Christian in walk of life. This is because Andrea as Althiya will state to her husband that being a gay isn't a sin and it isn't his fault. Biblical references on the other hand will support and agree of homosexuality being a sin.
I'm not trying to create a ruckus here but would personally like to clarify with viewers who would have accidentally accepted this scene to be morally correct from a religious point of view. Thank you for your understanding.
