Kadali Movie Review

Story:

Sam Fernandez (Aravind Swamy) and Bergmans (Arjun) meet each other at Christian Seminary while undergoing training for priesthood. But while Sam Fernandez is sincere in his training, Bergmans is carefree and dare to break the rule book. With the passage of few years Sam Fernandez who comes to a Church as a father meets an orphan Thomas (Gautam) who is wayward. 

Sam try to mend Thomas but in vain. As days pass by Thomas fall in love with Priya Beatrice (Thulasi) who is a nursing student. To the shock of all Tomas comes to know that Priya is the daughter of Bergmans and also that he is out to kill her as she came to know the truth that he killed her mother. What happens next follows the crux of Kadali.

Performance:

New comers Gautam and Thulasi came out trumps on their debut. However seasoned performers like Arjun and Arvind Swamy stole the show as good and bad guys in this film. Lakshmi Manchu sizzled in special role while others did their roles to perfection. 

Analysis:

Maniratnam known for selecting subjects that are natural came up once again with Kadali in which he highlighted the ordeals of fishermen. In this he bought in Church and also sought to show that all is not well in the missionaries in the fight between Arjun and Arvind Swamy. However love track between Gautam and Tulasi left incomplete. One should wait whether Mani's depiction of churches create another controversy? Kadali is a naturally filmed fishermen lives and their romance with tides.

Pluses:

Fresh faces Gautam, Tulasi and their performances

Arjun, Arvind swamy's stellar performances

Rahman's music

Rahul Menon's cinematography

Screenplay

Minuses:

Confusing story-line

Too trivial

Christian colors to the film

Editing 

Technical:

AR. Rahman's music is beautiful while Rajiv Menon's cinematography is of top class. Sreekar Prasad's editing is fine. Maniratnam could have chosen a wider subject to weave his complete love story.

Final:

Kadali is too natural to be appreciated by Telugu movie lovers.