The man behind the legendary Maa Tujhe Salaam, one of world's greatest composers, and India's fastest rising young actor team up into one massively-hyped production - and thus, Maryan hit screens to the thronging of fans.
The film, a fictional adaptation based on the 2008 kidnap of three Indian oil-factory workers in Sudan and their subsequent escape, shows its title character Maryan, a man "born of the sea, and raised by her", develop feelings for his lady love Panimalar, and how he battles through his struggles - inner and outer, to get back home to her.
Cinemania, unfortunately cannot help using the cliched statement of "Great performances". Dhanush, seems to have achieved a new level of performance since his National Award, and Parvathy Menon, from the seems-so-long-ago Poo, and the recent Chennaiyil Oru Naal, delivers a noteworthy wonderful performance as Panimalar. Other notable performances include Appukutty and Jagan as Maryan's friends in different geographies, and Vinayakan as the vile Theekurrisi (which I believe is a colloquial use of the name D'Cruz).
Marc Koninckx's camerawork provides interesting angles throughout the film. With an array of sea-related films on silver screens in the recent past touching on similar issues, notable ones being Neerparavai and Kadal, the film still fortunately manages to stay somewhat fresh, in its story and visuals. Vivek Harshan's editing keeps the film intact, but drops the intrigue at certain places.
The film moves at a rather slow pace through its runtime, being both predictable and unpredictable at points. The first half moves in its merry, slow pace, while the dark second moves haphazard, until the end. The film, also has its "mass moments", of slow-motion walking, and beedi smoke which will delight Dhanush fans.
Music. With the Mozart of Madras on board, one can expect nothing lesser. The music and the background score gel with the film's screenplay, though the songs act as pace dampeners, and the visualization of some songs seem to induce a Kadal hangover.
Bharatbala's rustic story, one of classic love, separation, pain and joy, seems to have fallen short on an awkward screenplay that tries to add layers to the film, while also making it commercial. Nevertheless, Maryan is worth a watch, and a satisfying watch - only if your expectations are extremely low.
Aditya Baskaran
