Chennai Files Muthal Pakkam Movie Review: A crime thriller that struggles to find its footing.
Disjointed narrative and flat characters weaken an otherwise promising thriller. Forth goes our Muthal Pakkam Movie Review.
Muthal Pakkam Movie Review
A flawed thriller with flashes of promise.
Performances
Story & Narration
Technical Aspects & Music
Chennai Files Muthal Pakkam is a crime thriller written and directed by Anish that attempts to weave suspense and drama, but ultimately stumbles due to tonal inconsistency and underdeveloped writing. While Muthal Pakkam sets up an intriguing premise, the execution lacks the depth and coherence needed to leave a lasting impact.
The plot centers around Prabhu (Vetri), the son of a renowned crime novelist, who arrives in Chennai to document his father’s life and work. This premise, while promising on paper, feels thinly constructed in execution. Prabhu’s investigative abilities, which are crucial to the unfolding mystery, lack believable foundation and often seem conveniently tied to his familial background rather than his own skill or experience.
The film’s suspense is undercut by excessive comic elements, particularly through Thambi Ramiah’s Inspector Ramaiya, whose mix of slapstick and sincerity makes it hard to take his role seriously. Redin Kingsley’s exaggerated presence, meant to connect the leads, feels unnecessary once he exits the story abruptly. The antagonist, too, lacks depth or threat, leaving the narrative without a strong opposing force and ultimately weakening the film’s tension and thriller appeal.
Technically, Muthal Pakkam struggles to find balance, with AGR’s early-2000s-style score often feeling out of sync with the scenes, and songs – despite contributions from talented lyricists like Vivek and Karthik Netha, failing to leave a mark. The sound design, meant to amplify tension, instead comes off as excessive and distracting. Despite the evident effort behind the film, its uneven tone, flat characters, and weak writing result in a disjointed narrative that lacks the tension and emotional depth expected from a gripping thriller.
Chennai Files Muthal Pakkam is an earnest but uneven film that misses the mark as a crime thriller. With more focused writing and a balanced tone, it could have offered a compelling story – but as it stands, it feels like a promising idea that never fully comes together.
Muthal Pakkam Movie Rating: 2/5
