Review of Thenali

Introduction

The biggest hit in south India for the year 2000, releases on DVD. But while the DVD has its great moments, it also has some dark aspects. But considering the poor output from many Indian DVD companies this title is a cut above the rest......

Video

This DVD has kept the original intentions of the director and has been framed like an anamorphic transfer containing the original picture aspect ratio of 2:35.1 within a 1.75:1 framed ratio. However for those with 4:3 television sets you may be slightly disappointed as the function to the view the DVD in letterbox non-anamorphic format is non-existent. It would be nice if this feature was enabled so that the DVD could be applied to both spectrums of audiences with 4:3 and 16:9 television sets.

The transfer is rather good and lives upto the expectation I have founded from BMD pervious DVD Hey Ram (1999). The DVD has been encoded on a dual layer disc eliminating problems like compression artefacts, grain and other sources related to the transfer of the film onto DVD.

However problems like wear and tear are very apparent on this DVD. It is clear that the disc has been encoded from a bad source print, used in cinemas. One would have preferred if a better 35mm negative or the original/intermediate source was used. Most blemishes appeared during reel changes and a few noted scenes. If the film was older I would understand but this movie was released only in Diwali 2000, only a couple of months before this DVD release. This can become rather distracting and is the only major spoiler on the picture.

The overall picture seemed both sharp and concise depicting picture information as best as the format can. Problems like shimmering and moiré effects were near non-existent appearing in only seven short scenes, quite impressive.

Colours were very naturalistic adding nice colour definition viewing. Saturation was also very good handling all areas of colours with perfection, from the grim and murky browns seen in Chennai (Madras), to the white mountains and green landscapes of New Zealand. Black details and shadows were deep and solid, giving the image a lot of depth while the contrasts used gave the picture a range.

Audio

The sound has been encoded in Dolby Digital 5.0 from the DTS 6 track mix used in the cinemas and the result is quite spectacular. A vivid and active presence of a 360 degrees soundfield is immediately detectable when the start credit sequences kicks in with the animation. The centre dialogue track is never too high pitched or loud. Instead it has a presence clarity and warmth to it.

While there is no subwoofer channel detected on my DVD player, my JBL subwoofer speaker was still brimming out bombastic bass when Rahman`s score became the centre of attention during the action scenes and the songs sequences. The song `Athini Chitini` in chapter 25 and the wonderful fight sequences in chapter 26 is an example.

The surround effects and stereo separation is very well located and well placed so that the ear can easily following the visuals and helps our minds to unravel the storytelling much easier with great use of sound effects. The DVD soundtrack displays no hearing signs of any distortion. Excellent job by sound designer and engineers S. Sivakumar and H. Sridhar who are among the best in the field.

Features

The main menu are thematic with the music score and film clip `Swasame` playing in the background. There are no supplements and disappointingly not even an English subtitle track for the non-Tamilian audiences. Its a shame really as BMD did do a wonderful job on subtitles on their last DVD Hey Ram and I was hoping that this DVD would have the same too. This is another negative factor that this DVD has. The song selection menu plays all the song fully without the need of selecting it from the main feature. The design could have improved a little but navigation was fairly easy on both my DVD player and my DVD-Rom.

Conclusion

After the wonderful comedy of Avai Shanmugi (1996) and Kadhala Kadhala (1998), both of which was written by the talented Crazy Mohan and had the actor Kamal Hassan displaying fine performances, the two team up for this hilarious comedy with the director K.S. Ravikumar, a Tamil director whose work`s are similar to David Dhawan`s direction of his earlier (and better) movies.

K.S. Ravikumar is one of Tamil cinemas most notable and favourite director for both the masses and classes alike. His previous movies has been blockbusters not just in India but around the world as well, living up to the expectations of his audience. His movies do not involve high technical values just pure melodrama, wacky special effects and overly comedy that aims to only entertain - a notion that he fully justifies. Works like Muthu (1995), Paidaiyaapa (1999), Avai Shanmugi (1996) are examples to see what the director aims at.

This film does have wonderful moments of cinematography seen in the songs `Swasame` and `Injarango.` Editing might seem slack at times, but it is expected from the director and really doesn`t bother us. Other aspects of technical values are average, from the opening animated sequence to the art direction, and no big complaints can be made about them.

The film has a wonderful and experimental score by A.R. Rahman who was oddly criticize for his music in this film. I personally loved it as it had a sense of both originality and of melodious melodies. The song `Injarango` had great worldly instuments from jazz trumpets, Spanish guitar, African drums and Indian bass. While it may sound stange on the first listen after a few listens all the songs do grab your mind. The music background score is also excellently done, just check out the opening symphony score and the last fight sequence. The score helps with the narrative and emotions on the film and acts as a wonderful experience in itself.

One of the films great aspects is the wonderful screenplay and dialogues that are both witty and intelligent. It especially helps us the audiences as these elements are squeezed out the situations that are integral to the plot of the film. Sequences on Dr. Kailash trying to rid of Thenali through the likes of kidnapping and sending him to the police station are excellent examples.

The film does resort to some literally nasty comedy as well, involving a man who eats so much he vomits it all out, but it helps with the narrative, serving a purpose, and not in there just for a laugh. It is quite nice to see that all elements of comedies (sick, slapstick, witty, daring etc...) are funny and work on their own levels for a family audience.

Both main actors, Kamal Hassan and Jayaram, who performing the patient + doctor role displays tremendous and memorable comic flair that becomes the best scenes in the movie. Both contrast each other and play on it commendably. Also a special mention should go to the flawless Sri Lankan (Ceylon) accent that Kamal Hassan speaks with to enhance his characterization. Here is his not just a comedian but an actor who displays high amounts of emotions. This is seen in the two scenes when he is reviling his past life. The rest of the cast, while not as involving as the two main actors, help with some nice and warm performances that adds more wonderful comedy delivery.

Overall out of the whole Diwali releases in India, which consisted of big budgeted movies like Mohabaatien (2000) and Mission: Kashmir (2000), it is Thenali which is my favourite as it delivered on what I expected:- great comedy, wonderful performances, average technical values and melodious music score, a K.S Ravikumar special!

The DVD, while displays visual and audio quality, lacks in other departments most notably a letterbox option and the lack of English subtitles. But from the recent demise of quality in general within the Indian DVD market, this title is one of the few that exceeds.