Teacher
Director: Lokesh Kangaraj
Cast: Vijay, Vijay Sethupathi, Malavika Mohanan, Arjun Das, Andrea Jeremiah, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj
Seeing a mass entertainer on a Pongal morning at the theater is an experience in itself. The wolf whistles for the hero’s entrance, fanatic applause followed by punching dialogue and collective joy as the hero stings a variety of villains make the Pongal movie experience immensely fun. Master is a movie designed for such a community experience.
Vijay fans are in luck as the actor brings all of his signature moves to the playground. However, fans of writer-director Lokesh Kangaraj will be disappointed. After making a mark with Managaram and Kaithi, this is Kangaraj’s weakest movie yet. It has all the trappings of a mass entertainer, and as a result the film as a whole suffers.
Read: Master Frames
Thematically it is interesting, since it deals with reform, the state of homes and prisons for minors. But what could have been a much better movie comes down to a star vehicle.
Vijay plays Professor JD and is a strangely revered alcoholic. It’s barely functional, but students and teachers cover it and love it at every turn. This highly revered alcoholic is going to reform a children’s home.
The film serves as a vessel for Vijay’s many messages to his fans. From his take on how to get into politics to why college elections prepare voters for the first time to participate in democracy to the dangers of addiction, the actor has some heavy preaching messages for his devoted fans.
Referencing Aaluma Doluma from Ajith and Farnham Aayiram from Surya, Vijay also subtly tells his fans to stop the star wars they indulge in. These are honorable messages and intentions, but that alone doesn’t make for a good movie.
Read: Master Movie Twitter Review: Fans Spill Love On Vijay Animator, Declare It ‘Blockbuster’
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the word ‘government’ is censored in the dialogue “the government does not listen to its people.” Whether it is self-censorship for full or compulsory occupation, it is a puzzling move.
Vijay Sethupathi sinks his teeth into the role of a formidable adversary and steals the show for as long as he is allowed. It’s a predictable climax and you can guess who wins.
Malvika Mohanan, who plays the female lead, barely has screen time. Some of the children in the children’s home have more to do in the movie than she does. She properly admires the hero, which is the role that she must play.
Andrea Jeremiah has a minimally redeeming blink and miss role at the climax, but the rest of the cast like Ramya Subramaniam, Sriman, and Nassar are all wasted in this star vehicle.
Anirudh Ravichander’s music is the legacy that Master will leave behind. It is possible for a movie to entertain without being good, Master is an example.
Rating: 2.5 / 5
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