Dhanush-starrer Thanga Magan is loaded with plenty of comedy, romance and sentiments, but seems to have run out of ideas post interval with the film ending on a tame note, says S Saraswathi
Cinematographer Velraj made his directorial debut with Velaiilla Pattadhari (VIP), one of the biggest blockbusters of 2014. The huge success of the film prompted the team comprising Dhanush, director Velraj and music sensation Anirudh Ravichander to get back together for a second outing.
Titled Thanga Magan, the film is made on the same lines as VIP, but is not as exciting.
We have the same middle-class family, loving parents, carefree son forced to grow up, the fight against injustice and, of course, the inevitable victory.
The first half is mostly fun with Dhanush romancing the two heroines -- Amy Jackson, who plays Hema his teenage love and Yamuna (Samantha), whom he eventually marries.
The film is all about the coming of age of a fun-loving youngster taking on the responsibility of a family.
Thamizh (Dhanush) is the dutiful son, who breaks up with his girlfriend Hema as she wants them to have a separate home after marriage.
When Hema gets married to his cousin Aravind (Adith), Thamizh decides to stop mourning and move on with his life. He gets a job and settles down with Yamuna, a girl chosen by his parents.
The first half ends with the tragic death of his father played by director KS Ravikumar. His father is an absent-minded, but honest income tax officer, who is forced by circumstances to commit suicide.
Thamizh has no clue what drove his father to suicide. How he gets to the bottom of things forms the rest of the story.
Dhanush has time and again proved that he is an effortless performer transforming at whim to any character he chooses. From playing a carefree teenager to the mature husband and dutiful son, the transition is flawless.
The only negative would be his makeup as a teenager, which looks rather unnatural.
Amy Jackson, however, looks young and pretty and gives a spunky performance.
Equally impressive is the demure saree-clad Samantha in her deglamourised and timid avatar. Both Amy and Samantha have a substantial role and have performed admirably.
It is director KS Ravikumar and Raadhika (she plays Dhanush's mother), who have little to do in the film. The heartwarming family bond that was such an integral part of VIP seems to be missing in Thanga Magan.
Dhanush's equation with his parents has been sidelined in favor of the dual romance.
Anirudh's music, especially the songs are discreet and low-key, but works for the overall ambience of the film.
The director has loaded the first half with plenty of comedy, romance and sentiments, but seems to have run out of ideas in the second with the film ending on a tame note.
The performance of the lead actors, some good music and the engaging first half makes director Velraj's Thanga Magan a decent entertainer.
Rediff Rating: 
