Nenjam Marappathillai - crossing the limit

 

Nenjam Marapatthillai

Tamil, 2021

Directed by Selvaraghavan

Stars Regina Cassandra, SJ Suryah, Nandita Swetha

Mohan's Measure ⭐

The macabre as comedy seems to have become the newfound fascination of Kodambakam of late.  Nenjam Marapatthillai can be seen as different from the rest in that it brings an overtone of faith and religiosity into the otherwise zany mix.  But, in doing so, it would appear that the director has new crosses to bear.

Ms. Regina gives a fine performance as a devout Catholic woman who takes on the job of governess to the adorable little boy of a rich couple needing serious marriage counseling.  The fact that she grows to love the little guy makes her stay in this madhouse.  Soon she becomes a victim to brutal rape and murder by the owner and his equally insane sidekicks.

Her spirit is now left to wander, but no more so than Mr. Selvaraghavan, who unintentionally makes it clear that he has no idea what to do with the rest of the film. It could have played out as an excellent noir, bringing in elements of poetic justice and the wrath of the Christian God.  Instead, the intelligence is watered down to predictable possessions, and some of the worst CGI we've seen in years.  Indeed the whole thing feels like the director was on some kind of hallucinogen in putting this together  For Mr. Suryah, the hallucinations are his own in thinking he can act.

You will feel the need for some kind of pill after seeing this ridiculous movie.