The film 'Arulvaan' is a prime example of how a noble cause can be undermined by a lack of respect for the cinematic medium. Despite its well-intentioned message, the movie falls short in its execution, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment.
The Power of Storytelling
What makes this film particularly intriguing is its attempt to address a crucial issue: the exploitation and oppression faced by tribal communities due to illiteracy. However, the unidimensional approach taken by director Ganesh Vinayakan fails to do justice to the story. It's as if the director expected the audience's empathy for the issue to overlook the film's shortcomings, which is a risky and ultimately unsuccessful strategy.
Cast and Characters
One of the film's highlights is the performance of Kritika, who portrays the young tribal girl Kurinji with emotional depth. The director's decision to trust Kritika with heavy scenes pays off, showcasing her talent. On the other hand, Arav's portrayal of Kurinji's father lacks the necessary understanding of his character's inner world, resulting in a wooden and unconvincing performance.
The choice to have Ramya Pandian play an adult Kurinji in the climax is a missed opportunity, taking away the emotional impact that should have belonged to Kritika's character. It's a prime example of how a simple directorial decision can undermine the entire narrative arc.
Musical and Dialogue Missteps
The music in 'Arulvaan' is a telling aspect of its shortcomings. The score often tells the audience how to feel, which is a disservice to the viewers' intelligence. The use of a 'sleazy cop' background music even before John Vijay's character appears is a lazy and predictable choice.
The dialogues, too, suffer from a lack of authenticity. The characters speak in a sappy and outdated manner, which is jarring when the film aims for realism. It's as if the writers forgot that people in contemporary settings have their own unique ways of expressing themselves. This disconnect between the film's intentions and its execution is a major flaw.
A Message Lost in Translation
The film's desperation to convey its message becomes evident in its overuse of real news clips during the credits. While this isn't an uncommon practice, the impact of these clips in 'Arulvaan' is far greater, almost making the film itself feel unnecessary. It's a sad reality when the real-life news is more powerful than the fictional narrative.
In my opinion, 'Arulvaan' is a missed opportunity. With a more thoughtful approach to storytelling and a deeper respect for the medium, the film could have been a powerful tool for raising awareness. Instead, it leaves viewers with a sense of frustration and a reminder of what could have been.
