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Johnny Movie Review:
Movies involving double roles rarely stray from the beaten path.
The most common plot is ofcourse the brothers separated at birth
who unite to take revenge on the people who killed their parents
and separated them. We also have the comical 'Prince and the
Pauper' version where the lookalikes switch places(intentionally
or not), leading to comic situations. So it is a pleasant
surprise to see Johny, which provides a double role for the hero
but does not resort to any of the common plot devices. It offers
a interesting story that makes full use of the dual role. It
sets up an interesting situation based on two men who look alike
and then resolves it in a clever and satisfying way.
Johny(Rajnikanth) is a petty thief who steals from the rich to
pay off the debt his father has accumulated.
Vidyasagar(Rajnikanth), a barber by profession and a lazy,
stingy man by habit, is his look-alike. Johny falls in love with
Chitra(Sridevi), a singer and pretty soon, Chitra, who is as
lonely as he is, falls for him too. Vidyasagar helps out
Bama(Deepa), a poor woman, and soon falls in love with her. But
Bama, who always has an eye on the better things in life, cheats
him. The lives of Johny and Vidyasagar then intersect in
unexpected ways.
The most impressive part of the movie is ofcourse the clever way
that the two roles have been made to interact. Director
Mahendran keeps us guessing all the way. First, regarding the
way the lives of the two completely unrelated persons will
intersect and then, the way in which the interesting puzzle will
be resolved. And neither of these disappoints. The pieces are
set up cleverly and they fall into place one by one. The way it
all ends is low-key but clever and satisfying. The reason for
Vidyasagar's action is believable and touching.
The director succeeds in making both roles interesting to begin
with. The scams that Johny carries out, especially the first one
in the jewellery store, are very smart. His romance with Sridevi
seems a little quick though. Vidyasagar makes us smile with his
frugality and sloppiness. We are given ample hint of Deepa's
character by her behavior in the sari shop and this sets up her
actions later. The unnecessary diversion in the form of Johny's
meeting with the tribals can be forgiven for the Aasaiya
Kaathula song sequence. There is also a trying scene where the
two Rajnikanths are running in slow motion, that extends for a
lot more time than necessary. The scene concludes in a meeting
and a fight between the two that is not too convincing or
well-staged.
Rajnikanth differentiates sufficiently between the two roles.
His comic ability is evident in the barber's role. This was one
of the few movies released when he was known as an action star,
that doesn't have any fight sequences for him. Sridevi looks
cute and plays a role sans glamour and fun. Deepa is believable
as the greedy woman. Surulirajan raises some laughs in his own
inimitable style as Johny's assistant.
Ilaiyaraja delivers a blockbuster soundtrack that is a mix of
different kinds of songs. En Vaanile and Kaatril Endhan Geetham
are very melodious. The latter is soulfully rendered by S.Janaki
and she has said, on record, that this is her favorite among the
songs she has sung. Senorita I Love You is filled with beautiful
lyrics and the exuberance of the song is well brought out by SPB
and the song sequence. Aasaiya Kaathula is very catchy with its
tribal beats and music lingering in our ears for a long time. |
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