Premise: A year after Rio Raj and Malavika Manoj’s arranged marriage, they apply for a divorce. Rio Raj is a working husband, while Malavika Manoj is a housewife. She being a pseudo feminist is the core reason for the conflict. How they evolve over the courtroom proceedings form the remaining story.

Writing/ Direction: Certain parts of the film gives a YouTube video feel, maybe that is why for a disclaimer the Black Sheep team has added a couple of promotional slide ads before the start of the movie. The craft is below par, we get to witness some amateurish elements in the name of nuanced director touches, especially in the first hour. Springs a pleasant surprise once the initial setting is done which takes a little time. The small petty fights between the couple are shown as quick moments that don’t gain much interest, the four major ones narrated as ‘Sambavam’ packs a punch. Each one leading to the core conflict so well, some foreshadowing moments add great value during the heated arguments. The pre-interval stretch is clap-worthy and a lot of fun. Plenty of good dialogues, both conceptually and the hilarious one-liners. Humour is the biggest backbone of the film, it works so well throughout. Thanks to actor Jensan Diwakar for elevating comedy to the next level in the later half. To make the subject look convincing, there are a few conveniently placed situations, purposefully making the women characters dumb at places, etc. Yet there is evident stuff to prove the sincerity in writing, focusing on multiple perspectives of the taken topic, giving solid importance to the supporting characters and giving closures for their subplots are all great signs. Most of the courtroom segments were dull with pointless allegations and no impactful arguments. Valid oration in the final hearing scene, but it is one-sided focusing to satisfy the male audience, hence the effectiveness is missing. Outside the court portions are far better and much more sensible, especially the intercut conversations of two women sharing their point-of-view about feminism, etc.

Performances:  Rio Raj is visibly getting better with every single movie, innocent act by him and the situational humour of his clicks too. Malavika Manoj perfectly fits the bill, there are multiple shades for her character and she shines in them all, majorly impressive during the emotional sequences. Jensan Diwakar strikes a hat-trick after Lubber Pandhu and Kudumbasthan, his humour is one of the major highlights of the film. After a long gap, we have a comedian in Tamil cinema who can act well. Superb role for RJ Vigneshkanth, gets a neat emotional finish as well, but a better performing artist would have done justice by strongly carrying it.

Technicalities:   Sidhu Kumar is turning out to be consistent with his skillful work. Yet again he has delivered a nice variety of songs within the romantic drama space. Background score is in good sync with the flow, he has also produced some exaggerated music for the apt cinematic moments. Underwhelming cinematography, forcefully prioritising more on the props, lack of focus even in some closeup frames and some issues in shot compositions. There were a few irritable show-off transition shots at the start, barring those the edit is fine and a tight two hours duration is an appreciable decision.

Verdict: There are issues in the filmmaking style and some underwhelming courtroom proceedings that had potential. Yet the trendy content about pseudo feminists, some legit writing and the enjoyable humour quotient throughout bring this one home.

AAN PAAVAM POLLATHATHU - A Jovial Entertainer that Digs a Tricky Topic!

Rating - 2.75/ 5.