There are always some movies that are our absolute favorites and then there are some that when we re-watch it, we learn/recollect some important life lessons. ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ (roughly based on ‘Sense and Sensibility’ novel) is the best of both worlds and is an absolute must watch.
Highlights
- AR Rahman’s soothing music fills into each and every frame of the movie starting from jasmine flowered introduction cards to the beautiful end credits extending into all the songs.
- Lyrics by Vairamuthu are pearls strung from beautiful words.
- Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran is quite exquisite, with wonders of ancient Egypt, castles of Scotland and paddy fields of Karaikudi showcased beautifully.
Actors
- Mammootty is at his absolute best performing each and every scene with grace and with fantastic expressions. His dialogues about the tragedies in his life to falling in love with Aishwarya Rai’s character is quite heart touching.
- Before he moved on to formulaic movies, Ajith’s character play is perhaps one of his best, taking us on a trip down the hardships of a newbie trying to make his place in the movie world.
- Tabu absolutely has lived her character in the movie. Starting off as a person who accepts destiny's role in guiding her life to the person who makes her own destiny, is quite a contrast to her younger sister’s character played by Aishwarya Rai.
- Movie ‘Jeans’ and this movie has quite defined Aishwarya Rai's early movie career. She has portrayed her fiery character with absolute conviction, with a fitting finale wherein she understands the ‘true’ meaning of love.
- Mannivannan, Srividya, Raghuvaran, Abbas have given their best with even guest appearances of Dino Morea and Pooja Batra making a strong impression.
With recent movies not making an impact on critics or us, I hope that we are able to watch a re-release of this Rajiv Menon’s best directorial to rekindle our fond childhood memories. ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’, as they say, is not just a movie, but an emotion, which takes on a roller-coaster ride called “Life”.
