Lucifer Review -- one for the fan, and a few others

[Dylan]

I see reviews that call this "Mohanlal's Petta". fairly accurate take, that, because this is a solid attempt after many years to revisit Lal's real star mojo. without tigers on the side, that is. but when Karthik Subbaraj went for an all-out fan tribute to his Hero, so racy, so unapologetic that you could ignore its plot inconsistencies and predictability, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Murali Gopy build Lucifer, at least initially, as a slow-burner. the characters and setting are established with so much detailing in the first half that by the time it gets to the point (it's the classic middle-class peeve; that there are no good men left in politics and the choice we have to make is between the lesser and greater evils), we are already wondering, "erm, when's Lal going to do the cool stuff?" well, soon. and when he does, it's a treat; cold stares and pithy one-liners, punctuated by very massy stunts. these are staple thrills, packaged exclusively for the fan. the problem, though, is that there aren't enough of them.

the fallen angel is an interesting lead. but there are loose ends that take the steam out -- for starters, what was the adult, back-from-wilderness Stephen's equation with his mentor? no, not one scene. Murali's screenplay doesn't rush things; the pacing is not always a problem but here, the sheer number of characters (some of them interesting, like Mahesha Varma played by Saikumar, a wily politician awaiting his turn on the Chair) pulls the tempo down. the writing does work beautifully in some of the scenes on the fringe, scenes outside of the mass-hero universe. I loved the way Stephen responds the first time he gets a call from Priyadarsini (Manju Warrier), his long-lost adversary at home. also, Jatin (Tovino Thomas)'s address to his party workers, Priya's confrontation with Bobby (a superb Vivek Oberoi) and the pre-climax scene involving Murukan (Baiju, in form as always). Prithviraj presents Lal in aseries of celebratory shots. eyes in close range, intense silhouettes, a fight sequence set to Tamil rap, the works. there's more joy to be had in the climax where our man walks into a shoot-out in a Mumbai chawl. black shirt, the mundu, all that understated swag intact, before he quotes the Bible (some Pulp Fiction there) and loads his gun. the word to use here is -- "Ho!"

weak links? many -- the Prithviraj cameo and the whole international gig is very put-on. the truth-seeker and his expose are on VERY familiar lines. the item song and the Bond-like post-script, pretty meh. Prithviraj takes a straight-up, 90s-style actioner route and this is a film that doesn't play subtle. but it's still awkward to hear those key-board clicks with text that appears on screen, informing us about important-sounding locations and events. like "Interpol Head Quarters" or "Undisclosed Location, northern Russia". ahem.

when our biggest star is also our finest actor, a true tribute to his trades becomes a tough ask.
in Mohanlal's case, over the past few years, the actor has chosen to go slow in favour of the star -- the result has been skewed; a series of middling films. in Lucifer, I saw potential for a film that, finally, gets the blend right; a Naran for the new age. so did they -- the writer and director are fanboys themselves -- get it right? not entirely. this is no full-on feast at your neighbourhood biryani joint; this is more like that whiff of flavour that hits you as your food is served at a semi-fancy restaurant. you've waited long already and when it arrives, you say, "f*** it, let's enjoy this."

3/5

Aries Plex, 11 am

[King Amal]

Thnx for d review bro

Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

[Jamesfanboy]

Nice review man.

Valid points.... and 100% agree.

[sethuramaiyer]

Kidukkan review. Completely agreeing. Language and presentation okke

[Dylan]

Thnx for d review bro

Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

Nice review man.

Valid points.... and 100% agree.

Kidukkan review. Completely agreeing. Language and presentation okke

thanks guys!

[SREEJITH.KP]

when our biggest star is also our finest actor, a true tribute to his trades becomes a tough ask.

This..This..A thousand times This...!!!

[Dylan]

This..This..A thousand times This...!!!

:)
but how much it does really weigh?

[SREEJITH.KP]

:)
but how much it does really weigh?

21 grams, i guess :)

[SREEJITH.KP]

:)
when our biggest star is also our finest actor, a true tribute to his trades becomes a tough ask.

In your opinion , Ithil oru true balance strike cheytha cinema etha ulle?

My pick is Sphadikam.

[Dylan]

In your opinion , Ithil oru true balance strike cheytha cinema etha ulle?

My pick is Sphadikam.

Sphatikam thanne aavum...
the one which came close, the most recent one, is Naran.