Aalan

Aalan Movie Synopsis: Deeply haunted by the past, an aspiring writer leads the life of a spiritual vagabond in north India. The unexpected entry of two women alters the course of his life. Will he be able to attain peace?

Aalan Movie Review: Siva R's Aalan explores varied human emotions like loneliness, peace, companionship, revenge, and kindness through the life journey of its protagonist Thyagu (Vetri). A spiritual vagabond, Thyagu suffers from a troubled past which deters him from leading a blissful life. The coming-of-age story begins with him developing a penchant towards Tamil literature at a young age. Though unfortunate circumstances keep knocking on his door at regular intervals, the urge to attain inner peace through writing keeps him going.

The unrushed narrative style suits the film's mood and flow of events. However, it starts testing our patience after a while. The protagonist's journey to the inner self is only partly engaging owing to the lack of adequate emotional connection. Later, two women enter his life in crucial situations, taking the otherwise lackadaisical narration forward, and engaging us with a few twists. But those proceedings aren't sufficient to salvage the uninspiring screenplay.

Vindhan Stalin's visuals offer sporadic relief from the mundane episodes involving the protagonist and other underwritten characters that offer little to the story. The relationship established between the protagonist and the two women in different timelines leaves no impact. The emotion that revolves around his family and a few revelations in the latter half, too, fail to evoke excitement.

Vetri's character offers him little scope to perform, while others fizzle out because of the weak writing. Mathura registers her presence in the scenes featuring her and Vetri. The climax which is supposed to offer gratification for the protagonist fails to create any sense of emotion among the viewers. Aalan is a lacklustre attempt that doesn't allow you to root for any character.