Saravanan (Vettri) comes to Chennai from a small village in Madurai and works in a tea stall where Mani (Karunakaran) is the tea master. Saravanan is not literate but has gained a lot of knowledge through reading various books from library though belonging to a lower middle-class family. Saravanan’s lover jilts him citing his meagre existence which pushes him into depression and he decides to rob jewels from his house owner and his mother in law (Rohini) who considers him a brother. The young man then uses all the intelligence he has picked up over the years to perfectly plan and execute the crime and also frames a neighbour who he does not like. Even as Vettri successfully gets away with the crime he discovers a deeper connection between him and his actions to something from the past
Vettri’s deadpan looks and expressions helped him carry off the rookie cop role in his debut movie and here too it is the same. However, he has convincingly pulled off a complex character of a man who is on the grey side to near perfection. Karunakaran not only serves as the reluctant accomplice to the crime but also as the conscience of the audiences and as usual, he does it with ease. Rohini, Rama and Mime Gopi play the other three pivotal roles bringing their experience with them. The two girls have nothing much to do in the movie but do serve as essential plot point turners.
What works best in ‘Jiivi’ is the novel theory of connectivity in human lives that the film has as its core subject which has been conveyed to perfection. The device of explaining complex ideas through simple things and occurrences is also impressive like the ceiling fan metaphor and the famous Thala Ajith scene in ‘Mankatha’. The connection between the present day crime to a similar one in the past and how its all paid off in the climax is immensely satisfying and there is also social justice in it as well.
On the downside, the script had scope to make it more thrilling and engaging which has not been exploited. The slow pace is taxing throughout the first half while the police investigation does not add to the tension at all.
Babu Tamizh’s dialogues are a major plus for ‘Jiivi’ while the background score, cinematography and editing are spot on. Director V.J. Gopinath has chosen a truly different and interesting subject for his debut and has executed it fairly well enough to buy him a place among the best of new age filmmakers of Tamil cinema.
*Jiivi 2 Cast and Crew*
Vetri-A call taxi driver,curiosity person,a brainy and a bookworm.
Character name-Saravana
Karunakaran- Tea master,innocent and he will always ask questions to saravanan.
Character name-Mani
Ashwini-Blind women,innocent housewife.
Character name-kavitha
Rohini-A strong women,housewife and kind-hearted she will care for all.
Character name-lakshmi
Mime gopi-Short tempered,small time business man.
Character name-kathir
Mubashir- Adventurous, carefree teen fellow and from a wealthy family.
Character name-Hari
Jawahar- A strict police officer and a drunkard.
Character name-Aadil mohammad.
Producer-Suresh kamatchi.
Written & directed by -VJ.Gopinath.
Cinematographer-Praveen kumar.D.
Music director-Sundaramurthy.KS.
Editor-Praveen.KL.
Art director-Umesh J kumar.
Choreographer-Apsar.
Stunt director-Sudesh
Pro- A. John
MATHIOLI S RAJAA
