Marupadiyum (1993)

Not to indulge in hyperbole, but every single second of Revathi in this movie is simply flawless. I'm afraid she has quite ruined the original Hindi movie Arth (1982) for me, because I really can't see anyone doing justice to the wife character like she did. Rohini ma'am is in top form too- I loved the intensity she brought in to the role, and was terrified of her in a lot of places. Not because she was "mad", but because she looked so close to a breakdown that I was both scared of her and for her.

I also couldn't stop thinking about how Revathi and Rohini had a completely different dynamic in Magalir Mattum which released the very next year. It's something quite special that they pulled off in both the movies, which reminded me of what I myself have been saying for years now- women are the backbone and everything else of cinema!! We wouldn't know how to appreciate a movie without them, for real.

Arvind Swamy was perfectly cast as Gowri Shankar, and I loved seeing him and Revathi together. The way they reacted to each other was so full of nuance and emotions that it really did feel as if I was watching two actual people around each other. Such amazing performances.

Coming back to my love Revathi- her monologues in the latter half of the movie are a good lesson in acting for many actors. I was shaking, and despite having had a long a day, I finished the movie in one sitting, all thanks to Revathi's powerful performance that did not take a break even once. Can't wait to see all the gems in her filmography.

I can't end this "review" without mentioning the music! One of Ilaiyaraaja's best albums (in my very limited opinion) and 'Aasai Athigam' is a song that is never going to age. Rohini looks amazing in it, which is another bonus. Speaking of the music, I just remembered the way Arvind looks at Revathi while singing... a total mood. 

In conclusion, this was pretty incoherent even by my standards, but that is further proof of how much this movie affected me. No thoughts, just Revathi. Also I'm upset that no print of this movie is known to survive, so it can't be lovingly restored and the full effect of Revathi's (and others') talent is lowkey lost forever. Lowkey because we still have the home video version, and that is enough to make one feel all the feels. Wish we got this era of Balu Mahendra and Revathi back. Just kidding, it's always Revathi's era, duh. 

PS- I don't understand why people called it fake feminist or whatever??? I don't see that at all??? What am I missing?????

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