Sarathkumar's Effort to Replicate Por Thozhil's Success Falls Short Once More
The Smile Man movie Review: Sarathkumar's Effort to Replicate Por Thozhil's success Falls Short Once More
Sarathkumar achieved significant acclaim portraying a complex police officer in the commercially successful and critically lauded Por Thozhil (2023). Since that time, he has endeavored to replicate that success, albeit without success. Smile Man, marking his 150th film, represents yet another attempt, featuring the actor as a troubled CBCID officer battling Alzheimer's disease while simultaneously pursuing a serial killer infamously dubbed Smile Man. Like many tamil films centered on serial killers, Smile Man is plagued by familiar issues such as convenient plot devices, clichés, and excessive flashbacks.
The film begins with a potentially engaging premise. The prologue showcases chidambaram (Sarathkumar) in pursuit of the serial killer, only to be overpowered after a near-fatal encounter. The elusive killer vows to return if chidambaram resumes his role as a police officer. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Chidambaram's partner (Sunil Menon), who is currently unaccounted for, has closed the Smile Man case, asserting that the serial killer has been killed. However, in the present timeline, murders begin anew. Victims are discovered with their skin meticulously carved to form a smiling visage, the signature method of the killer, prompting chidambaram to rejoin the force despite his deteriorating health in order to resolve the case he left unfinished years prior.
Sarathkumar achieved significant acclaim portraying a complex police officer in the commercially successful and critically lauded Por Thozhil (2023). Since that time, he has endeavored to replicate that success, albeit without success. Smile Man, marking his 150th film, represents yet another attempt, featuring the actor as a troubled CBCID officer battling Alzheimer's disease while simultaneously pursuing a serial killer infamously dubbed Smile Man. Like many tamil films centered on serial killers, Smile Man is plagued by familiar issues such as convenient plot devices, clichés, and excessive flashbacks.
The film begins with a potentially engaging premise. The prologue showcases chidambaram (Sarathkumar) in pursuit of the serial killer, only to be overpowered after a near-fatal encounter. The elusive killer vows to return if chidambaram resumes his role as a police officer. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Chidambaram's partner (Sunil Menon), who is currently unaccounted for, has closed the Smile Man case, asserting that the serial killer has been killed. However, in the present timeline, murders begin anew. Victims are discovered with their skin meticulously carved to form a smiling visage, the signature method of the killer, prompting chidambaram to rejoin the force despite his deteriorating health in order to resolve the case he left unfinished years prior.