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Critics Review
3.00
A Good Experimental Attempt with a But!
The close to reality artistic approach that flows at a sluggish pace plus the complicated ending are not everyone�s cup of tea. However it is a solid content-oriented drama with striking confidence and the native humor is sure to work for all.(more)
Source: Ashwin Ram, MovieCrow
3.50
A slow-paced journey reveals hidden truths
ottukkaali isn�t action-packed or plot-heavy. It�s a film that asks viewers to sit back and observe, picking up on the nuances of village life and the tensions beneath the surface. While this approach yields some powerful moments, it also results in stretches that feel flat. Still, actor and producer Sivakarthikeyan deserves a shoutout for backing such meaningful art-house projects.(more)
Source: Abhinav Subramanian, Times Of India
4.00
PS Vinothraj, Anna Ben, Soori's film is evocative and arresting
Without many dialogues, PS Vinothraj effectively portrays how the men in the village, including Pandi, are living a life under the shackles of so-called cultural norms. For them, awoman�s role is to remain in the kitchen, listening to and obeying them. Any form of retaliation challenges their egos. 'Kottukkaali' effectively exposes patriarchy and the faults of the men involved. Here, some of the women are at fault too.(more)
Source: Janani, India Today
3.00
Anna Ben, Soori bring PS Vinothraj's meticulously-crafted vision to life
Kottukkaali excels at showcasing a day in the life of a dysfunctional family doused with patriarchal norms. While the open-ended climax might feel divisive, it also opens a realm of possible outcomes that the filmmaker generously lets us pick one from. In an industry where directors suffer from the sophomore curse, Vinothraj delivers a more well-rounded second film, and proves that he�s here to stay... and win.(more)
Source: GOPINATH RAJENDRAN, The Hindu
3.00
PS Vinothraj, Anna Ben serve a triumph of independent story-telling
There�s a puzzling moment in the woods where we never quite understand what the director is getting at, which is perhaps the only time the film hits a dry patch. And occasionally you wish that the parallel drawn between a rooster with his legs tied and the girl with her will stamped upon, is not so rubbed in. Nothing else mars this film, which showcases, like in �Koozhangal�, Vinothraj�s superb use of the rural landscape�the rolling hillocks and trees standing, from time immemorial, as witnesses to these processions of unequal gender power-plays.(more)
Source: Shubara Gupta, Indian Express
3.50
Soori, Anna Ben bring alive PS Vinothraj's masterpiece
Visually too, the film is a piece of art as Vinothraj takes us on a beautiful road trip with a family steeped in regressive, patriarchal beliefs from a small village in rural Tamil Nadu. The director�s writing is impeccable, while the shots and cinematography by B Sakthivel and editing by Ganesh Siva is top-notch. Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan and producer Kalai Arasu must be congratulated for choosing to back this gem by Vinothraj, who has proved that he is an extremely talented director, whose best work is yet to come. Kottukkaali is an experience and not just a film.(more)
Source: Latha Srinivasan, Hindustan Times