Japan Movie Review|jigarthanda double x movie review|japan movie rating:Karthik Subbaraj returns to the mesmerising world of Jigarthanda after almost a decade, pushing the boundaries of imagination even further in this action-packed period drama. While it takes time to acclimatise to the narrative, Subbaraj’s visual treatment and some captivating moments provide thrilling highs. However, the frequent shifts in genre, particularly in the second half, where an abundance of ideas come into play, tend to disrupt the overall experience.
Just like how Jigarthanda followed the tale of two central characters — a filmmaker and a notorious gangster — this one, too, does the same, but set against the 1970s backdrop, initially unfolding in Madurai and the latter moving on to a forested area. Early on, the audience is introduced to Allius Caesar (Raghava Lawrence), a notorious gangster in Madurai and the head of the Jigarthanda Club. He’s an ardent fan of Hollywood actor Clint Eastwood and exclusively screens Eastwood’s films in his theatre. Caesar aspires to become India’s first dark-skinned hero and create films in the style of Eastwood.
jigarthanda movie 2023 Review
Jigarthanda Double X, written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj, was released on November 10. The Tamil film is a spiritual successor to Jigarthanda (2014) and stars Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah in the lead roles. In the film, Raghava is seen as as Pandiyan, a gangster and ardent fan of Clint Eastwood, while SJ Suryah plays Ray Dasan, a budding film director and assistant to Satyajit Ray. The film has managed to win over the audience
Apart from Raghava Lawrence and SJ Suryah, Jigarthanda Double X also stars Nimisha Sajayan, Shine Tom Chacko and Naveen Chandra in pivotal roles. The film’s music has been composed by Santhosh Narayanan.In 2014, Karthik Subbaraj made Jigarthanda, a fascinating meta-gangster movie that aimed to merge filmmaking and rowdyism. The film told the story of a filmmaker risking his head to make a film based on a notorious gangster, and the assured screenplay was peppered with enough surprises and ample tributes to the art form. After 9 years, a more mature Karthik is back with Jigarthanda Double X, which doubles up on everything we associated with the first film and more. Bringing together the soul of Jigarthanda and the spirit of a spaghetti western, Karthik’s plot-heavy sequel is a ‘political masala western’ that constantly surprises and is eager to impress with yet another ambitious task to achieve.
witter reviews Jigarthanda Double X
A person wrote in his Jigarthanda Double X review on X (formerly Twitter), “Jigarthanda Double X till interval – bad, bold and mad – and still works! What @karthiksubbaraj has done close to interval, you cannot do it without conviction! A treat so far!!” Another wrote, “Fire fire fire. Roaring interval block. Karthik Subbaraj is well and truly back in this engrossing cat-and-mouse game, which majorly works in the first half. On to the second half. If the momentum continues, blockbuster!!”
One person also tweeted, “Second half and climax… goosebumps. Last 30 minutes were emotional. What a social message by @karthiksubbaraj. The best from @offl_Lawrence so far and @iam_SJSuryah. Acting on another level!! Jigarthanda DoubleX is a must-watch film.” Another said, “I came without an expectation and I was blown away…”
jigarthanda movie Review
The film then introduces Ray Dasan (SJ Suryah), who presents himself as Sathyajit Ray’s assistant, and is appointed as the director of Caesar’s debut film. However, little does Caesar know that Dasan’s motives are much beyond being just a filmmaker.
As the story progresses and Dasan continues to document Caesar’s life, both characters uncover unexpected revelations, leading them to realise their true purposes through cinema and discovering facets they never anticipated before.
Karthik Subbaraj yet again tries to explore the influential power of cinema, but despite strong intentions and adrenaline-pumping moments, the narrative loses its cohesion after the intermission. Touching on various themes like tribal life and people, political power struggles, and the world of gangsters, the film’s ambition is commendable, yet it struggles to fully immerse the audience in its created world.
The sequences featuring Lawrence and SJ Suryah notably shine, and the intermission segment epitomises Subbaraj’s signature style. However, the film’s duration could have been trimmed as it occasionally tests the audience’s patience. Two songs in the latter half only slow down the narrative. Nevertheless, the film’s saving grace lies in its exceptional visual treatment and Subbaraj’s unwavering commitment to craft, despite flawed writing.
While the second half attempts to evoke multiple emotions, it falls short of translating them effectively on screen. The film’s redeeming climax, though, is sophisticated and manages to advocate for both the film and the filmmaker.
Lawrence impresses as a gangster-turned-hero, particularly in the first half, while SJ Suryah delivers another outstanding performance, elevating several average moments in the film. The other cast, like Tom Chacko and Nimisha Vijayan, deliver what the film requires. However, the background score, except for the impressive pieces from Jigarthanda, comes across as overly loud and fails to significantly contribute to the story.