Latest news with #Arivu
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ace movie review: Vijay Sethupathi, Rukmini Vasanth's crime comedy is yet another disaster that uses Yogi Babu as the butt of tasteless jokes
Ace movie review: Coincidences happen; they can be nice and fun too, particularly in crime and action comedies. But relying solely on coincidences at almost every juncture is simply convenient and lazy writing. Writer-director Arumuga Kumar's Ace proves exactly that. From the moment Vijay Sethupathi's character lands in Malaysia, his life becomes a series of conveniently crafted 'coincidences'. Immediately after stepping out of the airport, Arivu (Yogi Babu) appears before him 'out of the blue'. In an extremely clichéd moment, Arivu asks him if he is Bolt Kannan, claiming 'this is what he would look like' and then proceeds to rattle off all sorts of details about Kannan. For someone who is definitely not Bolt Kannan but is in dire need of a disguise, this is just too convenient to pass up. Without asking for any ID or proof (and that too in this era), Arivu confirms that he is Kannan and takes him to live in a neighbourhood largely inhabited by Tamils. The real Bolt Kannan was summoned to Malaysia to work as a chef at a food joint run by Arivu's love interest, Kalpana (Divya Pillai), and thus Vijay's character conveniently lands a job as well. Totally coincidental. In his new neighbourhood, he meets a pretty young woman, Rukmini Vasanth, in an eponymous role, and they, of course, have a rocky start. Nonetheless, he immediately develops feelings for her. Then, they keep running into each other, not just in their locality, but in other parts of the city too, as if someone is scripting their story and desperately wants them to keep meeting so they can eventually fall in love. The coincidences keep stacking up. At the exact moment when Rukmini wants some people to be beaten up, Kannan appears and does the job, completely altering her opinion of him. And before long, she falls for him; totally coincidental, especially considering the film offers no proper explanation for her change of heart. All we're shown is the two of them talking and laughing, with a song, 'Urugudhu Urugudhu,' playing in the background. I thought such unimaginative storytelling was a thing of the past. Clearly not. As if these weren't enough, both Kalpana and Rukmini are facing conveniently timed financial crises. Kalpana needs a large sum to settle a bank debt tied to her food joint, while Rukmini needs a huge amount to escape the clutches of her ruthless stepfather, police officer Raja Dorai (portrayed extremely poorly by Babloo Prithiveeraj). But fret not; Kannan is here to save the day. A pro poker player, he tries to make money through gambling. However, his plan backfires (probably one of the few times things don't go his way), and he ends up just as deeply in debt to mafia don Dharma (a decent BS Avinash). Desperate, he robs a bank. And yes, the heist is just as casually written as it sounds — rushed and completely devoid of tension or planning. Meanwhile, Kannan also wins a jackpot worth nearly the same amount he stole; just imagine the level of coincidences that happen in his life. However, the police soon get some clues regarding the robber and commence a probe. From that point on, while the sheer level of convenience and coincidences starts to taper off and a few obstacles come Kannan's way, things don't improve significantly. Kumar continues to take the easy routes, throwing in some half-baked thriller elements too, thereby ruining even the slight potential this part of the narrative had. Although Ace had the potential to be a thrilling and fun crime comedy, the intrigue at its core is completely undermined by Kumar's extremely lazy writing. Laden with overused tropes and painfully clichéd jokes, Ace is not only poorly constructed but even more poorly executed, ultimately turning the film into a complete trainwreck. Another major drawback of the film is its unnecessary subplots, particularly the one involving Raja Dorai. While we repeatedly see him blackmailing a young woman with her sex tape, one would naturally expect this aspect or her character to play a more significant role in the larger narrative. But no; she is simply reduced to a background presence with no meaningful development or resolution. Also, how much longer will Tamil cinema continue to recycle the same tasteless jokes at Yogi Babu's expense? In this film, he's portrayed as a sanitation worker, and no, the makers' intentions don't appear noble. This becomes clear in the way the film attempts to extract humour from Arivu's job. On top of that, the movie also relies heavily on tired 'jokes' about his appearance. To mock someone whose skin tone and body type reflect a large segment of the Dravidian population is not only tone-deaf but also deeply offensive and regressive. Meanwhile, as conversations around the disturbing age gap between Kamal Haasan and Trisha Krishnan in the upcoming Thug Life continue, Ace falls into a similar trap by pairing a 28-year-old Rukmini opposite a 47-year-old Vijay Sethupathi. While their romance is handled with a certain degree of grace and the two do share charming on-screen chemistry, the age difference is impossible to ignore. It begs the question: was there really no alternative to pairing these two actors, if not for the entrenched patriarchal mindset that male leads are 'ageless', while their female counterparts are not? The makers could have easily chosen an age-appropriate casting by retaining just one of them; the fact that they didn't speaks volumes. Amidst all its issues, what works in Ace's favour is the adorable chemistry between the lead cast. Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu are a delight to watch, making one wish for a better film that does justice to their dynamic. Vijay and Rukmini's interactions also bring a certain warmth and spark to the screen. While none of the performances are particularly remarkable, especially considering these actors have delivered far stronger work in the past, they do their best with what they've been given. Karan B Rawat's cinematography, Justin Prabhakaran's enchanting music and Sam CS's exceptional background score also contribute to keeping the film from becoming a complete disaster. Ace movie cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Rukmini Vasanth, Yogi Babu Ace movie director: Arumuga Kumar Ace movie rating: 1.5 stars
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
‘Ace' movie review: A playful heist with a bold Vijay Sethupathi at the helm
Ace, starring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, promises a commercial potboiler that mixes crime, comedy, and action with a dash of social commentary with its promotional content. The film hits theatres this Friday and let's see how it fares at box-office. Story: The film follows the mysterious Bold Kannan (Vijay Sethupathi), a man who leaves his murky past behind in India and lands in Malaysia with a cryptic smile. At the airport, he meets Arivu (Yogi Babu), a ragpicker pretending to be a businessman to impress his girlfriend Kalpana (Divya Pillai). Mistaking Kannan for a laborer, Arivu ropes him in as his assistant. Kannan's path crosses with Rukku (Rukmini Vasanth), a spirited young woman trying to reclaim her home from a corrupt and powerful man, Raja Durai (Babloo Prithviraj). A lost bet with a local loan shark (BS Avinash) leads the motley crew into deep trouble, setting the stage for a thrilling heist and a chaotic game of survival. Performances: Vijay Sethupathi brings charm and effortless charisma to the screen. His various backstories may be quirky, but his performance is grounded and enjoyable. Yogi Babu provides consistent comic relief, and his chemistry with Sethupathi keeps the energy flowing. Rukmini Vasanth, in her Tamil debut, leaves a pleasant mark, portraying Rukku with grace and subtle strength. Babloo Prithviraj and BS Avinash deliver in their villainous roles, adding heft to the conflict. Technicalities: Director Arumuga Kumar makes it perfect for action lovers. Visually, the film benefits from its Malaysian setting, offering a fresh backdrop for a Tamil commercial flick. The cinematography captures the city's mix of modern and grungy textures. The music and background score work well for the genre, amplifying moments of tension and levity. However, the editing could have been crisper, especially in the second half, where the narrative meanders. Analysis: Set against the vibrant backdrop of Malaysia, the film aims to entertain with its quirky characters, colorful sequences, and a central heist plot that tries to hold it all together. While the film does have its shortcomings in pacing and coherence, it still manages to deliver an engaging ride, thanks in large part to its performances and moments of well-timed humor. Ace tries to do a bit of everything—action, humor, social message, and heist drama—and while it doesn't master any one genre, it still entertains in parts. The plot takes several tangents, some of which feel unnecessary, but the core story remains accessible and fun. The film shines brightest when it focuses on the camaraderie between Kannan and Arivu and could have benefitted from more of that. Ace is a film that doesn't ask much from its viewers—just to sit back and enjoy the spectacle. While it might not leave a lasting impression, its spirited performances and lively tone make it a one-time watch that fans of Vijay Sethupathi and mainstream Tamil cinema can still appreciate. Rating: 3/5
