Vidaamuyarchi movie review: Set in Baku, Azerbaijan, the film follows an Indian couple, married for 12 years, who find themselves suffocated by the routine of their relationship. Arjun (Ajith Kumar) is a prosperous businessman working for an American firm, while his wife Kayal (Trisha) dedicates herself to managing their home. Initially, their marriage is filled with joy and excitement, but over the years, the strain becomes evident.

What is Vidaamuyarchi about?

The couple's distance widens significantly after Kayal experiences a miscarriage. Arjun, typically calm and composed, surprisingly remains understanding even when Kayal engages in an affair, refraining from anger or resentment. Ultimately, they decide to separate and pursue a divorce. At this critical moment, Kayal expresses her desire to return to her parents in Tbilisi, prompting Arjun to accompany her on what he refers to as "one last trip," a nine-hour journey by road.

As they travel through the vast, empty landscape, Arjun and Kayal reflect on their shared history and ponder how they arrived at this juncture. Their contemplation is abruptly interrupted when a Hummer, driven by a menacing figure named Michael (Arav), nearly collides with them, snapping them back to reality. After a brief stop at a gas station, Kayal encounters another Tamil couple, Rakshith (Arjun Sarja) and Deepika (Regina Cassandra), and forms a friendship with them. However, their journey takes a turn when their car breaks down, leading Rakshith and Deepika to offer Kayal a ride. Shortly thereafter, Arjun discovers that his wife has mysteriously vanished. What has transpired? Will he be able to locate her?

What works and what doesn't

Initially, Vidaamuyarchi does not center around star power. It avoids the dramatic flair typical of commercial films featuring Ajith Kumar. Instead, it tells the story of an ordinary man devoted to his wife and determined to rescue her. As is widely known, Vidaamuyarchi, directed by Magizh Thirumeni, is an adaptation of the 1997 Hollywood film Breakdown, and the director largely adheres to the original narrative.

The film's first half unfolds at a leisurely pace, with minimal progression in terms of plot or action. The emphasis is placed on the romance between Arjun and Kayal, yet this aspect remains rather muted and lacks excitement. There are few surprises to engage the audience, with the only notable moment occurring just before the intermission.

As the second half commences, action and chase sequences emerge. A frightened, agitated, and desperate Arjun fully engages, showcasing a character development that contrasts sharply with his demeanor in the first half. However, the film suffers from redundant and unnecessary scenes that contribute to its tediousness. Elements that could be effectively conveyed in a few moments, such as the deterioration of their marriage, are unnecessarily extended to 45 minutes. The film could have benefited from more unexpected developments, especially given its limited cast and absence of typical Tamil film elements like comedy, music, and dance.

Despite the film's pacing issues and predictability, Ajith’s understated performance and the impressive visuals help mitigate these shortcomings. It is unmistakably an Ajith Kumar film, and it appears that the Kollywood star is attempting to break free from his established image with this unconventional road trip narrative. Trisha delivers a commendable performance as Kayal.

Arjun Sarja proves to be a formidable adversary, and Regina has performed admirably within her limited capacity. Nevertheless, the characters of Rakshith and Deepika could have been developed more thoroughly; while they are depicted as being in a mental asylum, their behavior appears quite normal when they are in the outside world.

To sum it up

In conclusion, the film is technically impressive, showcasing stunning visuals through drone and long shots. The Director of Photography, Om Prakash, has delivered commendably; however, the background music composed by Anirudh lacks impact, and the songs fail to leave a lasting impression, which is regrettable. The editing by NB Srikanth could have been more concise, and the action sequences did not meet expectations in terms of excitement. Overall, Vidaamuyarchi represents a new genre for Ajith Kumar and offers a fresh experience for the Tamil audience.

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