MAD Square hits the cinemas today. Here is our review of the major comedy release of the year.
Story:
Laddu (Vishnu Oi) has been lodged in a jail. When his fellow prisoners prod him narrate how he ended up in a soup, he tells the story of his spoiled wedding because of his college friends: Manoj (Ram Nithin), Ashok (Narne Nithiin), and Damodhar aka DD (Sangeeth Sobhan). After his bride eloped in a quirky turn of events, the four friends jetted off to Goa, only to find themselves ensnared in a burglary. Bhai (Sunil), a comical don, was after them. How did the friends bail themselves out of the self-inflicted weird situation? That’s what the story is all about.
Analysis:
Director Kalyan Shankar relies heavily on the tropes associated with the crime comedy genre. While these tropes have been deployed by a few movies before, MAD Square stands out because of the commendable streak of comedy on offer. Laddu’s behaviour and body language are a contrast to that of DD. Manoj and Ashok are different in their own ways. Since the four friends offer enough variety, the laughs don’t dry out.
The film never turns tedious or convenient. A lot of crime comedies suffer from too much chaos and too many co-incidences just to propel the story forward. MAD Square, in that respect, can’t be accused of overdose of anything. That’s what keeps the proceedings engaging.
The entry of new characters in the Goa segment adds to the attractiveness. Satyam Rajesh plays a dumb cop who wants to look tough on the outside. His eccentricities are a match to the naivete of the lead men. Sunil plays an idiotic crime lord who has a fool (Subhalekha Sudhakar) for company. Muralidhar Gound, as Laddu’s father, can spoil the show for the comical villain by annoying him at the wrong time.
The wedding episode in the first half is hilarious. The groom continues to be unwittingly humiliated by his three friends, who are uninvited guests. It helps that Laddu’s father, his bride and the bride’s family are either money-minded or mean.
The performances are strong. Sangeeth is effortless. Ram Nitin retains his energy from the first part. Narne Nithiin’s character is designed differently from the first part. Priyanka Jawalkar as Laila is good. Reba Monica’s performance in a song (‘Swathi Reddy’) is praiseworthy. The cinematography is a plus. At 127 minutes, MAD Square is never overlong.
Verdict:
MAD Square successfully delivers on its comedic promise, offering a consistently funny and engaging ride thanks to its well-defined characters, clever writing that avoids genre pitfalls, and strong performances. A definite must-watch for comedy lovers.
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