Samuthrakani's Appa Movie Review

Cast: Samuthirakani, Thambi Ramaiah, Namo Narayana, Vinodhini, J. Vigesh, Raghav, Nasath Preethi, Gabriella, and Yuva Shree
Music: Ilayaraja
Cinematography: Richard M Nathan
Directed by: Samuthirakkani
Produced by: Samuthirakkani (Nadodigal Banner)

Storyline

Samuthirakkani’s Appa is all about bringing up children in today’s context. The movie portrays three fathers with different mindsets and the impacts of the methods adopted by each of them in bringing up their children.

Samuthirakani is a father who wants to bring up his kid in a natural and stress-free method. He gives thrust to the preferences and basic nature of the kid. He is a kind of father who helps his kid blossom rather than thrusting his dreams and desires on the hapless kid. His wife wants to go with the wind and the conflict in the approach of the parents results in a split between them. Samuthirakkani, however, brings up his son well using his unique method.

Thambi Ramaiah adopts exactly opposite approach as compared to Samuthirakkani. He is a father who puts immense pressure on his son to excel in education. He is not ready to give any leeway or freedom to his son and appears hell-bent to determine his son’s fate on his own.

Namo Narayana, the third father, is dispassionate about his son. He is rather reluctant and that cripples his son’s life.

The movie deals with what happens to all these characters.

Script analysis

Appa is all good intentions put in a rather simplistic and dramatic manner. The script has too many clichés to digest. The message has been conveyed through sermons and artificially conceived sequences. The director has succeeded in driving home the message by extracting extracted good performances from his lead artistes. Some of the twists ensure some exciting moments. However, the overall impact is weak as the approach is less of cinema and more of preaching. Dialogues serve a main aspect and some of the dialogues are impactful.

Performances

Samuthirakani, Thambi Ramaiah, Namo Narayana, Vinodhini, J. Vigesh, Raghav, Nasath Preethi, Gabriella, and Yuva Shree have rendered flawless performances. Thambi Ramaiah stands out with his strong performance. Among the kids, Nasath and Yuva Shree have delivered top notch performances.

Richard M Nathan’s cinematography is pleasing. Ilaiyaraaja’s background score is a major strength in certain scenes.

Positive points

• Good message
• Good performances by seniors and kids
• Background score

Negative points

• Too much preachy
• Too predictable and dramatic

Verdict: Appa has a noble intention and it hits the target perfectly but it is found wanting in many areas in terms of a film.

Appa: Preachy drama

Rating: 2.5

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