Ammani Review - A class apart

Bharath Vijayakumar

Lakshmy Ramakrishnan showed glimpses of promise in 'Aarohanam' and 'Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathey'. But you sensed something was missing. But she definitely has fully arrived with 'Ammani'. This carefully crafted small little film throws a bundle of surprises.

Plot:

It is about Saalama, a menial worker in a government hospital who comes to terms with the fact that the bond her closed ones share with her is majorly driven by materialistic needs.

After deciding to stay out or play only a small part as an actress in her first two directorial ventures, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan takes the plunge here and is absolutely terrific as Saalama. A few minutes into the film and you get a feel that you almost entirely know the character of Saalama and the kind of life she would have led so far. It is a complex character which keeps going through a lot of emotions but one that hardly lets it out. Being the head of the family she can never succumb to the pressure or emotions so that that their brittle family setup does not crumble. But you feel the turmoil she is constantly under. She is like a bubble that is about to burst but seems it can take in some more air and increase in size. Most films would have made this character one-note that is all gloom. But Saalama is a bundle of energy who is able to look at the happiness around her.

Subbalakshmi plays the titular character Ammani. This real life character which triggered the inspiration for this film keeps hinting that we are possibly seeing Saalama twenty years down the line. The glint of mischief that Subbalakshmi wears in her eye is an absolute delight. You see two sides of life through her. She says that once there is no light you do not even own your shadow but if you are willing to believe that everything around you has a relationship with you then you never feel isolated. The best thing is that these philosophical thoughts are never shoved down your throat. Every actor in the film is on the mark. A huge applause for the casting team.

Nothing in the film is ever about co incidence. Everything seems to happen for a reason. The house being set near a railway track and the mortuary that is shown often for instance.They have a role to play in the way things eventually turn out. Despite the fact that most characters in the film are selfish they are never painted as evil. It is circumstances too that play a part in how they behave. Take for instance the role of the elder daughter in law. You know that she is an opportunist but you do feel sorry for her when she breaks down towards the climax as she feels she has been robbed of her inheritance.

Close on the heels of Aandavan Kattalai, this is another impressive outing for K.The best thing about K is that his score suits the milieu and is contemporary as well. Imran Ahmedh K. R. does a brilliant job in capturing the happenings inside the house. Whenever the character of Ammani is shown you see a slight tinge of brightness in the lighting that is reflective of the way she looks at life.

Bottomline:

A superbly written and executed drama that does stir your soul a bit. We now have another film-maker whose next film we can eagerly wait for.

Rating: 3.5/5

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