“Leo” Movie Review

Newzdaddy Movie Review

“Leo” is a Tamil film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Vijay in the lead role. The movie is a tribute to David Cronenberg’s 2005 action film, “A History of Violence.” Lokesh Kanagaraj’s style deviates from the typical masala formula and focuses on unique narratives and focal points to create distinctiveness.

Lead Star Cast:  Joseph Vijay, Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon

Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj

Writing Credits: Lokesh Kanagaraj, Rathna Kumar, and Dheeraj Vaidy

Music: Anirudh Ravichander

Cinematography: Manoj Paramahamsa

The Story

The story revolves around Parthiban, an animal rescuer and café owner living in Himachal Pradesh with his family. Initially, the film portrays Parthiban’s ordinary and layman life, but as the story moves ahead, he becomes entangled in a series of challenges that attract media attention. The situation escalates when ruthless criminals notice his striking resemblance to Leo Das, the son of the infamous mafia Antony Das. Leo was assumed to have died in a tragic fire accident.

The film attempts an ingenious re-telling of “A History of Violence,” where a small-town family man is forced to fight against mafias and criminals who are after him. Lokesh Kanagaraj adds his own flavour and pushes the narrative to its limits, making it a pure-action genre film.

However, the film does have its flaws. The setup and establishment of Parthiban’s world took precedence, leaving less room for the actual core storyline to unfold. Despite the potential and the performer in Vijay, the execution falls short of expectations.

In summary, “Leo” is a film that pays homage to an international action film while trying to create its own identity within the Tamil/Indian aesthetic. Although it has its moments, it struggles to deliver a solid screenplay and live up to the director’s previous works.

Acting

Vijay, who plays the lead role of Parthiban in the film, delivers a solid performance. Known for his versatility, Vijay brings a certain charm and intensity to his character, effectively portraying the ordinary yet determined nature of Parthiban. His portrayal adds depth and authenticity to the film. The other supporting actors have done a commendable job.

The one who really steals the show is Sanjay Dutt; however, his role is not so big but prominent enough to make an impact.

Music

The film’s music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, who is known for creating catchy and memorable tunes. The songs in “Leo” have a good mix of energy and melody, complementing the various moods and situations in the film. Anirudh’s music adds an additional layer of entertainment to the overall experience of watching the movie.

Background Music

The background score in “Leo,” composed by Anirudh Ravichander, however, it is my personal opinion that the background music does not resonate with scenes and does not give that excitement or feel that a scene should give.  However, it does elevate the tension and intensity of the scenes at some points. The background music plays a crucial role in building suspense and excitement throughout the film, however, in this movie, it lacks intensity.

Cinematography

The cinematography in “Leo,” handled by Sathyan Sooryan, captures the picturesque landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, where a significant portion of the film is set. The visuals exhibit a pleasing aesthetic with well-framed shots that enhance the storytelling. The cinematography adds depth and visual appeal to the overall cinematic experience. There could be more breathtaking scenes as we all know how beautiful and scenic is Himachal Pradesh.

Direction

Lokesh Kanagaraj, the director of “Leo,” showcases his prowess in storytelling and crafting engaging narratives. He demonstrates his ability to fuse an international film’s concept with Tamil sensibilities and creates a distinctive world within the film. Lokesh’s direction ensures a consistent pace and keeps the audience engaged throughout the movie.

Overall, “Leo” benefits from strong performances, catchy music, visually appealing cinematography, and effective direction, adding value to the film and contributing to an enjoyable cinematic experience.

1. Unique Concept: The film pays homage to the international action film “A History of Violence” while incorporating Tamil/Indian aesthetics, creating a distinctive world and narrative.
2. Strong Performances: Vijay delivers a solid performance, bringing charm and intensity to the character of Parthiban. Other actors like Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Sarja, and Sanjay Dutt have also contributed effectively to the film.
3. Visually Appealing Cinematography: The cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan captures the beauty of the Himachal Pradesh landscape, providing visually pleasing and well-framed shots that enhance the overall cinematic experience.
4. No adult or nude scenes, or abusive language which makes “LEO” a family movie. Though there are some brutal scenes.

Negative points of the movie “Leo”:

1. Strengthening The Core Storyline: The setup and establishment of Parthiban’s world took precedence, leaving less room for the actual core storyline to unfold.
2. Execution of the screenplay: Despite the potential and performance of Vijay, I personally felt that the execution of the screenplay fell short of expectations, impacting the overall impact of the film.
3. If the movie had some comic characters or comedy dialogues then it would have made the audience more happy and smiling, there was space for some comic scenes.
4. The background music did not give me any excitement which needed in such kind of a movie.

Newzdaddy Ratings:  3/5

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