Siren Review

Siren : An Engaging Revenge thriller mixed with family sentiments

Jayaram Ravi's latest movie 'Siren' has released today in the maximum number of theaters in the hero's career.  The project was affected by rumours that its going straight to OTT and the producers have proven them wrong.  The film itself follows the out and out commercial route and emerges as a theater film for sure.

Thilagan (Jayam Ravi) is out on parole after fourteen years to visit his ailing father.  His teenage daughter hates him for having murdered her wife and leaves the house not wanting to see his face.  Thilagan comes across as a peace loving man who plans to spend his fourteen days of freedom quitely.  However a string of high profile murders happen in the neighbourhood with the decades old pattern of serial killers. The local Inspector Nandini (Keerthy Suresh) begins suspecting Thilagan and starts hounding him. Did Thilagan commit the murders or is he being made scapegoat in a political conspiracy? Did Thilagan's daughter realise her father's love and accept him or not is what the rest of the screenplay of 'Siren' all about.

Jayam Ravi for the first time is playing a middle aged character and has nailed it perfectly with his body language and voice modulation.  He is very convincing in the scenes where he satisfies himself by watching his daughter from a distance.  There is also a flashback in which Ravi appears as a young ambulance driver that showcases his romantic and action side.  Keerthy Suresh's body build is not much of a help in playing the cop but she makes up for it with her intense histrionics raising her voice high to pass off her role.  Anupama Parameshwaran appears in an interesting character and though her screentime is little her charm is infectious.  Yogi Babu's humour works well in almost all scenes as the bumbling cop Velankani whose role is also crucial in the screenplay.  Samuthirakani and Azhagamperumal have both played model father figures and here they impress as the ruthless villains without any fuss.  Chandini Thamilarasan and Thulasi take care of the family sentimental scenes while the actress playing the teenage girl is effective.

What works best in 'Siren' is the suspenseful manner in which Jayam Ravi's character is introduced and plays till the interval.  Though he is at the location of the murders there is still an implausibility factor that keeps the interest up.  Keerthy Suresh herself is also a suspect along with the obvious politician which helps in keeping the pace at a brisk pace. The cat and mouse game between Ravi and Keerthy is enjoyable in a few places.  There are interesting elements such as a crucial character being dumb and deaf which connects with the murder.  There is also some innovation in the way the murders occur, especially the one by sound.

On the downside 'Siren' follows the beaten track of the hero's revenge for the murder of his loved one and a sense of dejavu is there throughout.  Logic goes for a toss with the legal proceedings and especially that the DSP who is in charge of the station not being aware of his enemy Thilagan on parole.  The film's meter goes wayward during the flashback fight that attempts comedy at a very serious juncture.

G.V. Prakash Kumar's songs are very much a part of the narration with the father-daughter melancholy impressing most.  Sam CS though loud on many instances has given an extra layer of thrill to the proceedings.  Selvakumar SK's cinematography is neat while Ruben with his non linear cuts has made the film engaging throughout.  Sujatha Vijayakumar has produced with rich production values.  Writer - Director Antony Bhagyaraj has chosen an age old story and sentiments but has put in enough twists and turns to steer the screenpay off boredom territory.  His dialogues are sharp and witty and some of the messages are driven home with the exception of his emphasis on vengeful revenge.

Verdict : Go for this engaging revenge drama with a mix of family sentiments