REVIEW

Jyothika, who made her comeback with 36 Vayadhinile, returns with Magalir Mattum. As the title suggests, the movie advocates women's causes. Along with Jyothika, Urvashi, Saranya Ponvannan and Bhanupriya are also in the leads.

Interestingly, Jyothika has dubbed for herself for the first time and her brother-in-law and actor Karthi has also sang a song in the movie. Ghibran has scored music. S. Manikandan is the cinematographer and the movie is produced by Suriya’s 2D entertainment.

STORY

Magalir Mattum opens in the past – in 1978, to be precise – when three young girls are trying to escape from the strict routine at school and watch Aval Appadithan. They’re taken to task, not surprisingly, and sent back to their respective homes. The action then abruptly cuts to the present, to Gomatha (Urvashi). Her husband is no more, and her son Surendar (Madhavan, in a cameo) works in Qatar, while she lives with his girlfriend-fiance, Prabha (Jyotika), a documentary filmmaker. 

Prabha is intrigued by Gomatha's memories of her long-separated college friends. As in Pa. Pandi, it is Facebook that helps trace long-lost individuals. 

Rani (Bhanupriya) is now in Agra, and her husband (Nasser) and son (Pavel Navageethan) are politicians hoping to win an upcoming local body election. Subbu (Saranya Ponvannan), a beautician, is in a loveless marriage with Mangalamoorthi (Livingston), who still pines for a lover from his past. 

And Prabha plans a reunion for the three by way of a three-day trip. What happens during and after the trip should be seen in the big screen. 

PERFORMANCE

Magalir Mattum’s title credits goes like this — Urvashi, Bhanupriya and Saranya Ponvannan’s names come together first and then says ‘ivargaludan Jyothika’ (with them Jyothika). Couldn’t have been more apt as the film belongs to the older ladies. Urvashi, Bhanupriya and Saranya give some fabulous performances; Urvashi’s one liners are just brilliant. It is a pity we don’t get to see them on screen more often. 

Jyothika is good for most part but her cuteness turns annoying after a point. Her expressions aren’t natural and one can sense she’s trying hard to put up a show. Nevertheless, she holds the film together with her strong screen presence. She is well supported by Urvashi, Saranya and Bhanupriya, and it’s a shame they’re not being used effectively by other filmmakers. Madhavan in a cameo in the last scene is sheer magic. 

Ghibran's music is undeniably the film's biggest strength, his songs and background score elevate the scenes to a different level. Cinematographer Manikandan S, who also shot Bramma’s first movie Kuttram Kadithal, comes up with some brilliant work. 

PLUS

Urvashi, Saranya and Bhanupriya’s Performance

Jyothika’s Performance

Screenplay

Cinematography

Music

MINUS

Over Melodramatic in second half Over-stretched flashback scenes 

Verdict : An Emotional Ride!

Stars : 3/5