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"Thug Life" Shocker: Why the Haasan-Ratnam Magic Fizzled
Updated on: 05 June, 2025 04:34 PM IST |Sneha Sunojkumar
Why the Anticipated Comeback Faltered
The highly anticipated "Thug Life," marking the reunion of cinematic stalwarts Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam, has met with a divided critical reception upon its release. While the film`s star power and technical polish are acknowledged, a notable segment of reviews points to several aspects where the collaboration fell short of expectations.
Here`s an overview of the key criticisms surfacing for "Thug Life":
1) A Sagging Second Half: A consistent observation among reviewers is the film`s struggle with pacing and narrative flow in its latter half. Many found the post interval portion to become drawn-out and less engaging, diluting the initial impact.
2) Familiar Gangster Trope: Despite the immense talent, "Thug Life" has been criticized for relying on conventional gangster genre elements. The plot, for some, felt predictable, offering little in the way of fresh perspectives or innovative storytelling.
3) Underdeveloped Characters:Critics pointed to a perceived lack of depth in several character portrayals. Even seasoned actors reportedly had limited scope, resulting in roles that felt superficial and failed to evoke strong emotional connections.
4) Missing Mani Ratnam`s Signature Spark: For many enthusiasts, the film reportedly lacked the distinctive finesse and emotional depth typically associated with Mani Ratnam`s direction, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential.
5) Underwhelming Musical Contributions: A surprising point of contention has been A.R. Rahman`s music. Reviews indicated that both the songs and background score often failed to significantly enhance the film`s mood or narrative, a rare instance for this iconic duo.
While "Thug Life" carries the weight of its celebrated creators and delivers some visual moments, these recurring criticisms suggest that for a considerable audience, the film didn`t quite achieve the cinematic brilliance hoped for from such a powerhouse collaboration.
Here`s an overview of the key criticisms surfacing for "Thug Life":
1) A Sagging Second Half: A consistent observation among reviewers is the film`s struggle with pacing and narrative flow in its latter half. Many found the post interval portion to become drawn-out and less engaging, diluting the initial impact.
2) Familiar Gangster Trope: Despite the immense talent, "Thug Life" has been criticized for relying on conventional gangster genre elements. The plot, for some, felt predictable, offering little in the way of fresh perspectives or innovative storytelling.
3) Underdeveloped Characters:Critics pointed to a perceived lack of depth in several character portrayals. Even seasoned actors reportedly had limited scope, resulting in roles that felt superficial and failed to evoke strong emotional connections.
4) Missing Mani Ratnam`s Signature Spark: For many enthusiasts, the film reportedly lacked the distinctive finesse and emotional depth typically associated with Mani Ratnam`s direction, leading to a sense of unfulfilled potential.
5) Underwhelming Musical Contributions: A surprising point of contention has been A.R. Rahman`s music. Reviews indicated that both the songs and background score often failed to significantly enhance the film`s mood or narrative, a rare instance for this iconic duo.
While "Thug Life" carries the weight of its celebrated creators and delivers some visual moments, these recurring criticisms suggest that for a considerable audience, the film didn`t quite achieve the cinematic brilliance hoped for from such a powerhouse collaboration.
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