Enakkul Oruvan Review - Good, but can't better the original

Movie : Enakkul Oruvan
Cast : Sidhharth,Deepa Sannidhi,Narain
Music : Santhosh Narayanan
Direction : Prasad Ramar
Screenplay : Pawankumar

Expectations :

Enakkul Oruvan, directed by debutante Prasad Ramar, is the official remake of the crowd funded Kannada superhit "Lucia" by debutant director Pawankumar. The original had fresh faces, but the refreshing concept made the small budget venture a huge hit. The tamil version has got some popular faces like Sidhharth, Narain onboard and was expected to better the success of the original. Does the movie live up to the expectations ? Let's see.

Plot :

The movie revolves around Vichy (Sidhharth), an insomniac worker in a theater owned by Dubai (Narain). Situations lead him to get hold of a sleeping pill Lucia - which is not just that. It is a dream inducer, and induces dreams of what a person thinks about, and the dream will continue whenever the person sleeps, forever. Meanwhile he also falls for a simple girl Divya, working in a pizza shop. He dreams of a sophisticated life, where Vicky is a superstar, and Divya is an upcoming model and aspiring film actress, with Durai being his only companion/mentor.

Vicky the star's life is constantly under threat, besides he need to save his love as well.The reality too gets tough, at a point when Durai is killed and Vicky takes over the theater. When we look out for the culmination of the dream and the reality parts with an apt end, Enakkul Oruvan throws a surprise revelation at the end, which is just mindblowing, and makes the whole movie viewing experience worth it.

Performances :

Sidhharth doesn't quite fit in as the local theater worker guy, and his dialogue delivery as well the looks seems forced and artificial. Though he emotes well in that part, it takes the backseat when compared to the uber cool and stylish superstar Vicky. As the star living a luxurious life, he exhibits the feel of a man enjoying lavish lifestyle, the ego, anger and desperation with consummate ease. Credits to his stylist for this particular role.

Deepa Sannidhi impresses more as the pizza shop girl, and does a fairly decent job in the other role as well. The girl shows traces of acting, and is sure to go places if she could improve her emoting abilities further (lessening the focus on glamour, which she actually specializes in!!). Narain does a fine supporting act that deserves mention. The other artistes including Muneeskanth fame Ramados, Maheshwaran (Office TV serial fame), Yog Jaypee and Srushti Dange (definitely could have gone for a better casting for her part) are wasted in insignificant roles.

Technical Departments and Direction:

Gopi Amarnath's cinematography captures the black and white stylish part of the star vicky as well as the surroundings of the poor theater staff vicky perfectly. Santhosh Narayanan could have come up with even better numbers, though "Prabalamagavey" conveys the lifestyle of the superstar and "Poo avizhum" just gels well with the theme of the movie. However, he compensates with his impressive BGM for most part. Leo John Paul's editing could have been taut, and they could have definitely trimmed few sequences and chopped off 2 songs (the one with the foreigners in particular) to improve the pace of the movie.

Debutant Prasad Ramar has played safe, and has opted for a scene by scene remake without any change to the original. However, the movie (even in its original) moves at its own pace, and often tests the patience of the viewer. Besides casting Sidhharth in the local guy's part just doesn't work, even though he comes up with an earnest performance. And complete credits to the screenplay by Pawankumar, especially for the stunning climax. Prasad could have done away with two songs (Yendi and Kutti poochi), which could have definitely improved the viewing experience. The plot is simple, even in both the parts (Dream/reality) and as the best part comes only in the end, Prasad could have pepped up the proceedings with interesting sequences to sustain viewer's interest.

However he decides to stick to the original screenplay, and as a result Enakkul Oruvan becomes a patience test for few viewers who come in looking for pace,action and all other masala elements that one could associate with any commercial movie. However, if you are looking for something different, Enakkul oruvan will surprise you, with its well conceived climax.

What works : The superb climax, Sidhharth in the stylish star part, BGM

What doesn't : Sidhharth's unconvincing theater guy act, Lack of pace, songs.

P.S: For those who haven't watched Lucia (original), and for those who love to see something new, Enakkul oruvan will be a treat !!

VERDICT: Clear the patience test, you could enjoy this dream pill Lucia.
7.5/10