Along with Japan, yet another Tamil film that has hit the screens today is Jigarthanda Double X. The film is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and has Lawrence and SJ Suryan in lead roles. Let’s review it here.
Story: Allius Caesar(Raghava Lawrence), is a criminal with aspirations to transform himself into a film hero. Despite facing discouragement regarding his dusky complexion, Caesar remains steadfast in his resolve to become a hero. Undeterred, he reaches out to several directors to hear their story pitches. Among the directors, Ray Dason(SJ Suryah) captures Caesar’s attention with an impressive narrative. Caesar chooses Ray Dason as his director, and together they embark on a unique journey. Ray Dason suggests that the film should delve into Caesar’s own life story. The narrative unfolds to reveal how this cinematic endeavor brings about a profound transformation in Caesar’s life.
Performances: SJ Suryah, a seasoned actor, continues to shine in Jigarthanda Double X. His on-screen chemistry with Lawrence, particularly in the second hour, is commendable. Naveen Chandra also delivers a solid performance in his role. Karthik Subbaraj skillfully taps into Raghava Lawrence’s acting prowess in Jigarthanda Double X. Playing a character with dual shades, Lawrence delivers an outstanding performance.
Technical Aspects: Santosh Narayan’s exceptional background score and Thirunavukkarasu’s outstanding cinematography significantly elevate the overall viewing experience. The art direction team deserves applause for their impressive work. However, the editing falls below expectations as the length of the movie is longer and is also slow in parts. The visuals are good and the entire 70’s setup has been extracted well by the makers.
Analysis: Director Karthik Subbaraj selects a compelling premise, but the execution of the narrative is not that great. The two halves of the film starkly contrast each other, with a few emotional scenes in the second half resonating well. Despite the narrative’s shortcomings, Karthik Subbaraj skillfully draws solid performances from his actors, adding a redeeming quality to the overall cinematic endeavor.
In the latter hour, certain emotional moments resonated effectively, and the pre-climax segments were noteworthy. A couple of scenes had a poignant impact, eliciting tears from the audience. The visually compelling forest sequences featuring elephants added a strong and visually captivating element to the film.
Shine Tom Chacko and some other actors could have been more effectively incorporated into the narrative, as their presence becomes noticeably limited after a certain point in the film. The initial hour is dedicated to introducing characters and establishing the film’s world, but the scenes lack excitement and, for the most part, induce boredom.
The pacing is notably sluggish, and several segments feel prolonged. With the exception of a couple of scenes, the first hour lacks the impactful punch needed to engage the audience effectively. But still, Jiganthanda Double X has some good performances and fun moments that hold your attention.
Verdict: On the whole, Jigathanda Double X has a great premise and terrific performance. To enjoy the film one needs to bear with the slow pace and the familiarity of the first part. If you are okay with this give this film a shot. The rest of it its just ordinary.
Bottom Line- Has its moments
Rating: 2/5
