BOTTOM LINE
A Bold Tale With Uneven Narration
OUR RATING
2.5/5
CENSOR
‘A’ Certified
What Is the Film About?
Satyavani aka Kamini (Amala Paul) works for a channel doing pranks. She is bold and fearless and never backs out of a bet. What happens when she gets into a ‘bet’ that involves her going nude in front of the camera? Or there something more to it than what meets the eye?
How Is Amala Paul’s Performance?
It can be said without any doubt that Aame is the most challenging role that Amala Paul has done in her career. It also simultaneously is the boldest part as well. A combination of two automatically makes it a winsome deal for her.
Right from the beginning, we see an entirely different avatar of Amala Paul. She nails the bold and confident urban chick part without ever coming across as overacting. It gives a natural feeling. It continues that way until the interval mark where the nudity aspect comes into play. From then onwards, it is all about her facial expressions. She does an excellent job of conveying various emotions and deserves that praises that are likely to come her way.
Direction by Rathna Kumar?
One film old director Rathna Kumar has come up with an innovative concept (when seen in totality) for Aame. However, as a narrative, it lacks a tonal consistency and gives a feeling of watching multiple films one after the other.
It all starts from the title cards itself where the story of Nangeli is narrated with animation and voice over. Then we immediately switch to a horror zone where Amala Paul makes her appearance as a crossover of Harley Quinn and Joker. The whole thing cuts and cuts again into a family drama seen in countless urban tales. It leads to a bold block followed by a message and then takes a different turn in the climax again.
The initial consistency arrives only after the basic setup of a News Channel is established. The gags are funny in a different way, and the whole narrative seems to be moving towards something unexpected. It happens at the interval point, which makes one curious about what is going to happen next.
The second half takes over from the interval and soon gets into a “Trapped” territory, once again shifting the tone. Whatever happens next is fresh and bold, and one would be definitely unprepared for it.
Full credits must here be given to Rathna Kumar, the director, for not resorting to cheap thrills or mindless titillations and sticking to the content and what he wants to convey. However, as pointed, the unevenness in the narrative doesn’t help the audience get the point.
Maybe it is the reason why the director resorts to a direct preachy tone in the end. It is straight-up hammering and again feels out of place and coming out of nowhere even though there is enough effort put to seemly merge it into the primary narrative.
The message it ultimately wants to convey (a link to the animated opening) is given through a forceful insertion instead of the ‘bold’ part, that is supposed to have a meaning to it. And it is missed because of the bizarreness of the tale that throws people off tangent, rather than provocation through sexual imagery.
Overall, Aame is fresh off the hook attempt with some new ideas and content. However, it isn’t all organically and adequately developed into a singular account that could have a substantial impact. Give it a try because you definitely wouldn’t have seen anything like this before, and also get a pertinent message in the process.
Others?
Sriranjini playing the mother of Amala Paul is sincerity personified. She has done her part well. Ramya Subrahmanian is also solid in the few scenes she is present. The bunch of guys part of the TV studio gang are decent. They do get tiresome sometimes as the scenes involving them are stretched more than required.
Music and Other Departments?
Pradeep Kumar and Oorka band have provided the music which is alright at best (in Telugu dubbing). The background score by former is excellent and elevates the proceedings to a whole new level. The cinematography is excellent as well as editing, which makes narrative gripping. The writing is okay.
Highlights?
Amala Paul’s Daring Act
Basic Concept
Direction
Drawbacks?
Uneven Narrative
Preachy Climax
Length
Alternative Take
The family angle is kept to invoke feminism, but it isn’t appropriately explored. An alternative take would be bringing together the family and Nangeli plots together.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes but with reservations.
Aadai (Aame) Review by Siddartha
