Review of Priyamanavale

Introduction

The film is very similar to the Hindi version Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rethe Hain (1998), which was a blockbuster hit in north India, US and UK. This Tamil version, which was made afterwards, shows how much was copied from the Hindi version and how much it improved upon its screenplay. While the film itself is not the best of films, both versions remain watchable. Interestingly enough the Hindi version copied a Telegu version of the film made back in 1996.

Since the backbone of the film has essentially Telegu thematics, we can expect the following items to appear as part of their conventions of filmmaking: sentiments, melodrama, religions beliefs, over the top performances, sharp dialogue with an undertone of Indian social values, and slapstick humour. This Tamil film has all, as did the Hindi version. While for some the overdose of all of the above might be too much, it somehow manages to hold on long enough for it to be interesting and viewable.

The director obviously looked at the previous movies and manages to do the job right by making the film despite the numerous flaws found in the screenplay. With good pacing it never bores or dwells on scenes for too long, which is why the plot idea is never questioned in detail until the film finishes and you’re with family or friends talking about it.

The characters in the film, while stereotypical, are placed in a new dilemma of a contract marriage and this makes them seem more interesting. A good performance from a stellar cast helps it even further. Characters, particularly the husband and wife, are more three dimensional. The wife, who is at first devoted and loving to her husband, can also be a strong and independent woman, as shown during the second half of the picture.

The ending of the film is needed to resolved the situation between the couple and was done with some violence in a fight scene with the hero and villain, which was quite disturbing and wasn’t really necessary. I feel the film would have ended better if it was alternative to what was shown, but since the Telegu and Hindi version’s too ended on this note I gather the director thought it best to keep to the original flow.

Some of the scenes in Priyamanavale are a little cinematic and overdone too, but strangely it adds more viewing interest, as many southern Indian films do. Fight sequences are a bit much but one has to sit up with the great sound effects and grunts we hear. The comedy by character actor Vivek is perhaps the weakest part of the film and one that could have been done with out. I don’t understand how a poor actor can receive film assignments like this as he`s yet to entertain me. The soundtrack by S.A. Rajkumar is not as good as the Telegu or Hindi version, but it`s one that can be termed as pleasant only when watching the film.

The film has its ups and downs but it is watchable and entertaining. I do prefer the Hindi version though as actors Anil Kapoor and Kajol take the film to a point never reached in the other Indian versions.

Video

Presented in an anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 2.25:1, most of the frame is covered. However 5% of frame is missing on both sides and while this doesn`t seem much, it would have been better if Ayngaran International presented the film in its original ratio of 2.35:1. The DVD has no problems with compression artefacts, grain, or any edge enhancement which makes the viewing experience rather like watching the film in the cinema.

Since the film has been taken from an interpositive negative the print condition is quite good. There are only a few wear and tear blemishes in the form of black lines and small white dots and it isn`t as distracting as you might think, although it can be noticeable during reel changes. Don`t let this put you off as the overall presentation is quite satisfying.

Sharpness and picture detail are excellent and they serve its purpose in delivering a fresh film that is very easy on the eye. Colour rendition and saturation are very vibrant and rainbow bright. The DVD captures the colours well without any bleeding problems (which could have easily happened if the telecine work was badly done) with the DVD looking just as good as a cinema presentation. While images are generally sharp, there is some minor shimmering and moiré effects but these are never bothersome. Good contrast and shadow delineation are also on this disc as are the darker details.

Audio

This comes with a remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 Tamil soundtrack. Most of the time the sound comes from the centre channel and sounds fine except for a few scenes where there is some noticeable hissing. It`s only when a song kicks in that the other channels open up and we`re surrounded with music. I would prefer it if Ayngaran presented the film soundtrack as it was originally recorded instead of re-doing certain parts of the score only to make it sound worse.

Features

The menus and box design are fairly good, while English subtitles are an improvement on other previous titles by Ayngaran. However some more work is needed on the grammar and a better typeface could be used.

Conclusion

Another good title from Ayngaran International, which is worth the purchase. Recommended.