Thozhar Cheguevera Film Review: This Poignant Narrative Requires Greater Attention and Precision.
Thozhar Che Guevara Film Summary: When compelled to decide between pursuing education or maintaining dignity in the face of adversity, Napoleon grapples with identifying the appropriate means to resist.
Thozhar Che Guevara Film Critique: At the core of Thozhr Che Guevara lies a profoundly unsettling narrative of oppression and violence rooted in caste. The film opens with the harrowing tale of a young boy who is brutally killed for daring to challenge an upper-class politician, Kalivardhan (Anish Edmond Prabhu), delivering a significant emotional impact. Nevertheless, sincere intentions must be supported by effective execution. Aside from the compelling score by PS Ashwin and the meticulously crafted action sequences, the film struggles to foster any meaningful engagement.
The narrative includes intricate elements, such as the mistreatment of Cheguevara (Sathyaraj), a college professor, by his colleagues. He is provided with a separate water can and tumbler for his personal use. The principal is constantly on the lookout for an opportunity to terminate his employment. Similarly, Napoleon (Alex AD, who also serves as the director), an 18-year-old aspiring college student, faces his own challenges. He endures bullying and ridicule from his peers, in addition to receiving disrespect from his professors. The story emphasizes the significance of his endurance, as his entire community looks up to him, and the younger children attending school depend on him to foster a belief in a better world in which they can thrive.
The film prompts viewers to reflect on numerous aspects. Che Guevara asserts that he wielded the weapon of literature in his struggle, leaving one to ponder its effectiveness. Meanwhile, Napoleon's quest for a means to resist mirrors our own confusion. While the intricate details of the narrative immerse us in this harsh reality, the choices made by the characters create a disconnect, distancing the audience from their experiences.
For example, the film opens with a voiceover by Sathyaraj, who elaborates on the world and the atrocities committed by Kalivardhan. However, the overwhelming amount of information presented makes it challenging to follow the multitude of names and events. This initial disconnection, coupled with the didactic nature of the dialogues, imparts a documentary-like quality to the film, making it difficult to engage with the storyline. Additionally, it appears that many elements were added as an afterthought during the dubbing process, resulting in dialogues that feel detached from the characters, which can be quite distracting. Certain sequences are even presented as mere visuals accompanied by music.
The film gains momentum only when Napoleon ultimately makes a choice. The well-choreographed action sequences, engaging dialogues, and a comedic subplot featuring Motta Rajendran begin to resonate, offering a glimpse of the film's intended vision. Alex AD delivers a commendable performance, attempting to compensate for the director's shortcomings. Nevertheless, such a poignant narrative warranted a more refined screenplay with greater focus and clarity.
