Maestro's magic in Neethaane En Ponvasantham

At last I could make it. From all the initial reviews, I even thought, this film would not even have a decent story line and only music carries the movie forward (which is also true), but in the end, it was a wonderful experience. Even from BR's review and comments, I thought, they are 'just in love' and not more than that. Everything proved me false. This will remain as one of the best love classics, despite few shortcomings. What a movie! But honest, Nerd, App, plum, Jai all expressed nicely, I have nothing much to add, but I am thoroughly impressed with the story line and the way Gautham narrated it. Very close to real. I never felt the screenplay was slow, it went very fast for a love movie. The dialogues were casual and not laborious and dramatic.

Right from my school days, I was a big fan of love movies. I still remember when my school friends saw PayaNangaL Mudivathillai and told me to watch it. I asked them, what kind of film is that and they said it is a love story. To be honest, I don't even know at that time what that is. That was the first film which defined love for me and rang a bell in me. All that infatuation started during that time. When I followed it up with Darling Darling Darling, Salangai Oli, Mudhal Mariyaathai KadalOra KavithagaL the feeling beautifully blossomed on me. During college years Varusham 16, Idhayathai ThirdaathE, Idhayam kind of movies proved how powerful love is. DDLJ, Parades, AlaipaayuthE, Azhagi, Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya, KSY took me to total different perspective of love. It's been a 30 year long journey with historic indian cinema with love never fading away. There are numerous love-based movies, but many didn't quite age well. Every movie I mentioned above has a lasting impact in me and with Neethaane En Pon Vasantham it has only increased that feeling in me. Since it focuses love right from their school days till their 30s, it is very special as it was a nostalgic trip down for me, in fact it should be for everyone.

Gautham has a special style of narration and he knows where to tap us. Many times we would have seen the boy going to attend his lover's wedding (to someone else), here it is interesting to see when the reverse happens. Just this aspect of the film, took this film to greater heights to me. How some petty issues causes a huge break-up is brilliantly done by Gautham. I loved the way Varun always puts the blame on her for their break-ups without realizing that the main cause for the break-up is only him. Another interesting aspect Gautham makes is, the girl loves more than the boy, that she accepts that it is her mistake for their break-up, even though it is actually not. I love his film-making. Apart from real characters, the terrace which also acts as a separate character and a special role in the film is again one of Gautham's best touch.

When it comes to picturization, Saaindhu Saaindhu and Satru Munbu is gorgeous on screen. Couldn't have put better, except in Saaindhu Saaindhu he could have reduced so many kisses, which looked so artificial. Next comes EnnOdu Vaa Vaa, especially for those million dollar expressions from Samantha. Mudhal Murai is too heavy for the film and Pengal Yendral was unnecessary as the previous scene to it already establishes that. Vaanam mellla was nicely done. When we start soaking in a song, Gautham immediately cuts it which kind of annoyed me from enjoying it fully. I think Gautham wanted to take the narration forward with the song (rather than songs acting as a filler), may be that's the reason, he interrupts. I loved the cuts when Varun and Nithya meets for the first time in the college, Varun's father calling from Australia (Gautham showing symbolically how his father's much awaited trip to Singapore was finally fulfilled), Varun conveying his unwillingness to marry that girl (with no dialogues).

I really loved the climax scene. Starting with Nithya entering the marriage hall till she leaves, that is film's one of biggest strength. During their conversations past midnight, they recap their wonderful days with Nithya doing most of the talking again proving how much she loves her. On the other hand, Varun was very harsh in saying, 'I hate you', but we have to applaud Gautham for hiding the inner meaning in that. Lots of applause to Gautham for that. During their whole conversation they never talk about love, which I really liked it. That subdued and quiet environment/neighborhood, is very apt for their mood, with Satru Munbu I could not ask for better. One of the best movie in terms of climax.

I didn't miss much background score, as the songs itself provided that narrative support what bgm had to do. Still it would have been better with a fresh theme music at-least.

Never thought Samantha can act this well. I was overwhelmed with every minute expressions of her.
-Her face gushing out 'red' when she sees Varun again at the tutorial.
-Spontaneous changing of expression when Varun says 'Neethaan vEnum'nu solli irukkanum'
-Million dollar expressions during EnnOdu Vaa Vaa song, every second of it.
-When Varun says he is engaged, darling of embarrasment shown in her face.
-When her sister gets married and she congratulates her while weeping inside. Beautiful, you lady!
-The whole marriage reception scene and the climax. That's the ultimate moment for me in the entire film with satru munbu in the background.
-The best one is when she weeps in her bedroom and her mother consoles her.
-When Varun explains the history to Nithya's father and Nithya's acting listening to him from upstairs.
-And many more...

Definitely there are some flaws. One which immediately comes to my mind is when Varun does not disclose about his family to Nithya even when he was moving away from her. Same way Varun meets Nithya's family only during the end does not go well and not believable. When Nithya expresses her love to Varun. Jeeva's acting there, horrible. Is this the way you reciprocate your love? Stone-deaf acting. Jeeva did this kind of stone-deaf acting many time in the film. He could have emoted little better. Santhanam was very good, except the love happening between him and that girl was so forced.

I really loved the film and planning to watch again, especially for Maestro's music, non-dramatic story-telling, Samantha's acting and expressions and the climax scene. Another reason to love this film is after almost two days since I watched this film, the film, characters, music all revolve around me even during sleep which happened to only few love films mentioned above. So this will remain as a classic to me.