Kannan Mani: I AM just exiting out of the movie hall and start penning this thing before the frames take backseat in my mind. BoYS - What do I say about this movie.

Before I can utter a word or comment, let me ask u a question. Are you a teenager, a youth, or a middle aged family person with lots a responsibility, an old chap???

Categorize yourself in any of these slots and start reading this review.

Here you go. Whoever you are. JUST GO AND WATCH it. To get the full essence and enjoy the movie to its fullest extent, I would advice only one thing..

Just go by yourself.

Sri Surya Movies' "BoYZ", produced by AM Ratnam, directed by Shankar is such a youthful movie. Can I declare this as an "American Pie" baked in a tamil kitchen? Munna, Bob Galy, Juju, Krishna, Kumar are the ingredients used and Harini, the cherry on top of it. Vivek, AR Rahman, Sabu Cyril, Ravi.K. Chandran are the delicious dressings to present this dish in everyone's plate with a big bang. Go for as many second servings as possible!!

The story forms the union of 5 youths whose flair for gals is never-ending.

Bob Galy (Originally Babu Kalyanam), plays a little of guitar to impress gals. Munna writes hickoo poems to impress gals. Kumar believes in his sense of humor to impress gals, Juju works out with his physique to impress gals.

Krishna tries his skills on playing drums and dholas to impress gals. Ultimately, the title is been justified, "BoYZ" for Gals. And there comes Harini, a city college gal in the locality where these youngsters hang around all the time. All five trying to win her heart in their own ways finally ends when Harini picks Munna as her Sweetheart and rest as buddies.

The first half of the movie is so bubbly, refreshing and brought me back to those college days. I bet if not all, at least one or two scenes brings back your memories too. But, Munna streaking in the Mount Road is little too exaggerating. Shankar is too gutsy in scenes like the car shake, the boys bringing a prostitute gal to their house.

What are they trying to tell in this movie? Simple - Boys, though mischievous, irresponsible, naughty, sometimes disgusting, can excel in their lives too at the appropriate time as they grow up, which is displayed by scenes where the boys struggle for their bread and butter, getting a contract from SONY and finally performing in the MTV awards ceremony and winning millions of hearts.

Vivek has done an excellent supporting role in this movie as "Mangalam" sir, who is the only guy to support all the shady things that the boys do. Also turns out to guide them in the right path.

Do I have any words to describe AR Rahman's work in this movie? I would say this is another break for him after Alaipayudhe and KanduKondein Kandukondein blockbuster music. It's a World Class. Each song to me reminds me an English number. "Break the Rules" - "All I wanna say is that" by MJ. "GIRL FRIEND" - American Woman. "SECRETS OF SUCCESS" - M&M

Ravi.K.Chandran is absolutely marvelous behind his camera in bringing breathtaking views of Tasmania lavender gardens and Mount Road (Shankar has got a crush for Mount Road in chennai I guess. "Urvasi" Song in Kaadhalan, "Traffic Jam" in Mudhalvan and Juju taking Munna for a nude ride in this movie). The picturization of "Break the Rules" is just too magnificent.

Sabu Cyril has displayed his craftsmanship by transforming the wastes into worthy in the song "Boom Boom".

Now comes the hardest part. I got to rate this movie. I am going to go out of the conventional way and "BREAK THE RULES" (as Shankar says in one of his songs) by giving a multiple rating. Do you remember what category you chose in the beginning of this review?

FUN - UNLIMITED.

Teenager - *****

Youth - *****

MiddleAged - ***

Old Chap - **

Pady Srinivasan: Good that you brought this up.

I saw the movie and loved it. BTW, I am not a teenager. Yes, it has sexually explicit dialogues and scenes, like the boys getting the services of a prostitute ( but chicken out in the end ), and the hero running nude across the highway. But the movie is basically a rags-to-riches story of 5 kids.

It is a established formula, nothing new, but the treatment by Shankar and Sujata ( writer ) was really good. And the boys and girl have done a neat job. And the music rocks. Hats off to A.R.Rehman...

Bharatan Kumaraguru/Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine: I just happened to read on rediff, about people walking out of a movie named 'Matrubhoomi' & found myself applauding their action.Can anybody please explain who & what the so-called 'ABCD' or ''for international audiences'' movies made by these supposedly ''Intellectual'' movie makers right from the Mira Nairs & Deepa Mehtas of the world to Manish Jha & Digvijay Singh of late are meant for?

All these people, in my opinion, just try to grab their 15 minutes of fame making movies like Kamasutra, Fire,Water & so on. And the crap they say about trying to bring to light the various atrocities perpetuated in India on Women,children,Dalits,etc. is downright hilarious.

If thats what their real intention is, why don't they show the movies in India & educate the people there? Frankly, as far as I know, Kamasutra & Fire were the only ones which did well in India & that was only 'cos of the titillating scenes made by those ''sensitive'' directors. Pray, please tell me, did the message reach a single soul in India & was there supposed to be a message in the first place??

Most of  'such' directors release their movies abroad or in some obscure film fest, show the Western world what a primitive & barbarious place India is(as if what they think now is not enough!!), preach to the westerners that India is not just about snake-charmers & rope-tricksters...hello!! we got pedophiles & wife-beaters too!!!!

I just can't believe that these people dare to make such movies- the only purpose of which is to make money & fame for themselves- & justify it saying ''it really happens & we will show it''.Even as I type this I am seething with anger at those selfish, evil-minded satans who rip whatever is left of the country's reputation for their personal gain.It always leaves me wondering if these people have a consience at all....

I just watched one of ''that'' kind of movie & vowed that never again will I watch a movie made by such directors who show India as a country , whose roads are filled with squalor, whose men neglect their wives, beat them, molest kids,etc.My $8 will be better spent watching a Pirates of the Carribean than supporting  movies like those.

I challenge these people to make movies to educate the masses in India rather than trying to make a name for themselves by raping India's reputation in the western world.And in this age when India is trying to make its stake as one of the major Global players, the last thing we need is people on Boylston in Boston's theater district  come up to you & say ''did u watch Matrubhoomi?....these things very common in India,huh??!!''.

There are so many good things that have come out of India & which are still going on there.Think for a moment why we tend to focus on the negatives(most of which are on the decline,like dowry deaths,female infanticide,etc.) & support movies which showcase only the negatives to the world.India has so many things to be proud of & hopefully some day these ''intellectuals'' will show those to the western world through their films.

Prem: Uh oh, now I got to see this film too, if only to know what the fuss is about.

Anyone seen it, and can respond to Bharatan?

A funny thing, though – I had mentioned, along with Boyz, two other films in my original post: Jogger's Park, and Where's the Party Yaar?

Not a single yip out of anyone, about either of these two – now that tells me something, but at well past midnight my time, darned if I can figure out what that is.

Meanwhile, am outa here for today; back again tomorrow with Matchstick Men et cetera. Take care all.

Earlier Blog:

From Boyz to Men