Director Mahendran is a respected figure in Tamil cinema. This rather grim tale explores the jewel Metti which is worn by married women. Metti symbolizes the circle of marriage. The film portrays three ironical scenarios where the mother wears this symbol but is estranged from her husband. Her first daughter is unable to wear it despite her marriage due to an illness and her second daughter gets to wear it even though she is unmarried and in very tragic circumstances. One would assume that metti symbolizes marriage as a trap but the film maker equates it to one's heart beat at the end of the film.
I have rather mixed reactions to the film - Kalyani amma's suicide is rather disappointing. I cannot fathom why she would opt for suicide when all her life she has fought against adversity. Also it is puzzling why Preetha would continue to drape her Saree in Gujarathi style even after she learns of the ill reputation foisted on her mother.
Pattabhi, the Christlike figure who is sacrificing at all times, who eventually dies at the end of the film, is a rather inconceivable portrayal. The film does not offer credible explanations for the easy change of heart in Vijayan or the drunken father. The film offers a dismal landscape where the characters are plagued by misfortune in various degrees and they experience happiness of sorts only during the title song of the film. A positive aspect is the portrayal of marginalized characters like the tea seller and the broker who are brought to centre stage.
I have rather mixed reactions to the film - Kalyani amma's suicide is rather disappointing. I cannot fathom why she would opt for suicide when all her life she has fought against adversity. Also it is puzzling why Preetha would continue to drape her Saree in Gujarathi style even after she learns of the ill reputation foisted on her mother.
Pattabhi, the Christlike figure who is sacrificing at all times, who eventually dies at the end of the film, is a rather inconceivable portrayal. The film does not offer credible explanations for the easy change of heart in Vijayan or the drunken father. The film offers a dismal landscape where the characters are plagued by misfortune in various degrees and they experience happiness of sorts only during the title song of the film. A positive aspect is the portrayal of marginalized characters like the tea seller and the broker who are brought to centre stage.
