Yes, the ending wasn't great, but let's set that aside for a moment. 2023 has witnessed the release of a few unexpectedly good single-conflict Tamil movies; from 'Good Night', to 'Ayodhi', to 'Dada', etc. Joining this impressive list is Ramkumar Balakrishnan's 'Parking', where a seemingly trivial dispute between two tenants over a parking space spirals out of control propelled by the egos on both sides. A premise this simple is dangerously easy to fumble, but debutant Balakrishnan's measured self-awareness makes the cinematic experience fresh and rewarding.
The film's success is underpinned by several factors, with the standout being its acting unit. Veteran actor M. S. Bhaskar delivers one of his most compelling performances to date, understanding the depths of his character and playing it to uncriticizable perfection. Complementing his presence is co-lead Harish Kalyan, whose uncompromising performance matches auras with that of Bhaskar's. The supporting cast too is equally well-chosen, seamlessly blending into the narrative when required. On the technical side, much credit is due to the director for elevating what could have been yet another low-budget B-movie into a finely crafted thriller. Every directorial choice is meticulously thought out and executed to perfection, with cinematography and sound playing pivotal roles in stylizing the movie.
Now onto the climax, which I'll avoid spoiling with specifics. The film maintains a consistent tone throughout, and the way in which the movie progressed, the ending seemed almost inevitable. While the logic behind the climax can be debated, the extent to which the conflict gets overblown seems a tad ridiculous and bombastic for the sake of an elevated climax. If it had been any more careless in its handling, it could have severely undermined an otherwise great movie. Thankfully, the damage isn't irreparable, and 'Parking' can still be relished for its thrilling buildup and pointed storytelling. If you're contemplating watching this movie, please do go ahead. The climax can always be debated afterwards.
The film's success is underpinned by several factors, with the standout being its acting unit. Veteran actor M. S. Bhaskar delivers one of his most compelling performances to date, understanding the depths of his character and playing it to uncriticizable perfection. Complementing his presence is co-lead Harish Kalyan, whose uncompromising performance matches auras with that of Bhaskar's. The supporting cast too is equally well-chosen, seamlessly blending into the narrative when required. On the technical side, much credit is due to the director for elevating what could have been yet another low-budget B-movie into a finely crafted thriller. Every directorial choice is meticulously thought out and executed to perfection, with cinematography and sound playing pivotal roles in stylizing the movie.
Now onto the climax, which I'll avoid spoiling with specifics. The film maintains a consistent tone throughout, and the way in which the movie progressed, the ending seemed almost inevitable. While the logic behind the climax can be debated, the extent to which the conflict gets overblown seems a tad ridiculous and bombastic for the sake of an elevated climax. If it had been any more careless in its handling, it could have severely undermined an otherwise great movie. Thankfully, the damage isn't irreparable, and 'Parking' can still be relished for its thrilling buildup and pointed storytelling. If you're contemplating watching this movie, please do go ahead. The climax can always be debated afterwards.